Emmanuel Petit: England’s Euro 2024 Chances, Bellingham & Foden Conundrum, Why Arsenal Should Sign Osimhen & Ugarte to Manchester United?

Emmanuel Petit has offered his insights and opinions on Euro 2024, England and various Premier League topics in an exclusive interview with Bet365.

The 53-year-old is regarded as a legendary figure in French football having played an integral role in France's World Cup win in 1998, as well as their triumphant Euro 2000 campaign in Belgium and the Netherlands. On top of this, Petit has an impressive resume of clubs throughout his career, having played for AS Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea between 1988 and 2004 and is now a respected pundit.

Petit has openly discussed many topics such as England's style of play, his dream signings for Arsenal. Manuel Ugarte's potential move to Manchester United and more. See what the Frenchman had to say below:

Emmanuel Petit: “Boring. It’s similar to the French national team. There's been a lot of criticism. But we have to remember that the group stage games are very different to the knockout games, you don't approach those games in the same way.

“England didn't play well, but they finished first. So it shows that they were still better than the other teams in their group so England still have reasons to be positive after the group stage.

“Having said that, England have to improve because it's another competition that starts now because you have to play only one game and you're out or you're in. So the approach of the players will be different mentally and physically, I think.

“I think it's the same here in France. We have probably the same questions and we don't get the same answers.

“I think Gareth Southgate is responsible for the tactics and the team sheet. The players are responsible for what they can bring all together as a team, as a unit, not individually.

“At the moment it's the same way as the France national team. It's more based on the individual than the spirit of the team but that could change.

“The next game will be completely different for both England and France.”

Emmanuel Petit: “Do we really think that Harry Kane is the problem for England? No. I know it's not working but he’s not the only one. Most of the players are not performing well on the pitch so I think the solution has to come from the team, not individuals.

“Gareth Southgate won’t drop Harry Kane. Simple as that.I think it's very difficult to put Harry Kane on the bench because he remains, for me, one of the best strikers in the world.

“Of course he has to score. But does he have any chances to do it? I think for me the problem is in midfield. You can see that there is no connection, there is no link between the players. Harry Kane is the victim of that.

“The fact that he's dropping a lot as well in the game, he's not playing as a striker. It's quite difficult to find him in a very dangerous position. That's why I think Southgate is responsible for the team sheet, for the tactics.

“He changed a few players for the last two games, Trent Alexander-Arnold, but did he change anything tactically?

“I watched the game against Slovenia and I had the feeling that again and again, how can you explain to people that Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka who all had fantastic seasons with their clubs now just look average?

“The question is what's happening with them in the national team? Is it the tactics? Is it mentally? Is it physical? I think it's everything together.

“I think that the players cannot give 100% on the pitch, the best level they can. because the tactics are not good enough. Simple as that. The balance is not good.

“ They don't feel confident and they don't have any connection between them. No links. It's obvious, you can see that from outside.”

Emmanuel Petit: “I see similarities between the partnership of Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham to Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, definitely.

“It could be because those guys have big egos and you know when you have so many big players like this, it’s hard for the team to come first.

“That can be a problem because most of the time when you have big stars in your team, the rest of the team must be at their service all the time on the pitch. Try to put them in the best positions to show their qualities and that's probably the case as well.

“Maybe some players don't want to be at the service of other players on these team. That's why they play individually all the time and there is no link between them.”

Emmanuel Petit: “Cristiano Ronaldo is so focused on the team all the time. He wants to win every single game. On top of it now, he has changed his style, look at the assist he gave to Bruno Fernandes.

“The Ronaldo we all know back in the day, would never have given his team-mate the chance to score in that position.

“I think he has created a lot of opportunities to score but has also been a danger most of the time, so he still has his edge. He's got this expectation on him.

“This guy is phenomenal. Mentally, he's a rock. And I think it's very important for Portugal to have a player like this in the team because it changes the way he plays but as well mentally, you know, he's more like a father in this team. And you can see that.

“Portugal will be very difficult to beat, I think they have played very well and they are getting better and better and Cristiano Ronaldo I think is intelligent enough to adapt himself to the new situation right now.”

Emmanuel Petit: “England can definitely still win Euro 2024, look at Portugal in 2016 when they drew all their games in the group and went on to win the tournament.

“They were really boring to watch, but in the end they won it. The group stage is not the same as the knockout stages for the players or the manager. When you go through the group stage, it's a different competition.

“England finished first in their group knowing they didn't play very well. So for me, that's positive. You never know what's going to happen after that.

“It's not a guarantee when you play well that you're going to win the tournament. And the same way, it's not a guarantee when you play badly that you're going to be out easily.”

Emmanuel Petit: “I’ll have to go with the team that have impressed me the most and that’s Spain. Collectively, I think they are probably the best team alongside Portugal.

“I think they have shown a lot of quality and with their wingers they've got a real threat. They have the system, but now they have individuals, they can hurt their opponent easily.

“Spain is the team that impressed me the most, followed by Portugal. Those two teams, they made a big impression on me.”

Emmanuel Petit: “Manuel Ugarte would be a great signing for Manchester United. He was starting for PSG under Luis Enrique until they got beaten by Newcastle, after that he was on the bench.

“However, Ugarte is mentally and physically strong as well as a holding midfielder who is ready to fight and I think he's got the qualities to adapt himself to the Premier League.

“He could be a very important player for Manchester United because defensively they have been very weak for the last few years, he can play a very important role as holding midfielder just in front of that defence.

“He has a fighting spirit. This guy will never give up from the first minute until the last, he will give 100%. He's very dedicated to the team. He always puts the team first. He's the kind of player that doesn't have big technical qualities, but mentally and physically, he is strong.

“He's not the best holding midfielder in the world, that's for sure, but he can bring quality that Manchester United are missing, especially in defensive areas.”

Emmanuel Petit: “I think that Liverpool need other players before they bring in Arda Güler.

“I don't know what the new manager wants to do, but you have to be careful when signing players on the back of them shining at a major tournament after they haven’t yet made an impact at club level.

“You get all the expectation and the fascination but the competition is different to domestic football, so some players sometimes shine and all of a sudden when they come back to the club they become average. So you have to be very careful about that.”

Emmanuel Petit: “Arsenal’s dream signing this summer would be Nico Williams.

“I've been watching him in Spain with his club, but he has impressed me a lot during Euro 2024, especially against Italy. It was a nightmare for the right back.

“I think this guy could have a huge impact at Arsenal.

“People have also mentioned Benjamin Sesko, but I think Arsenal need to look at Victor Osimhen at Napoli, this guy has all the character he needs to thrive.

“He’s got great ambition and when I mention his character, he reminds me of players who were in the Premier League back in the day, huge characters.

“He will work incredibly hard on the pitch and Arsenal are desperate to get a real striker. Osimhen can hold two central defenders easily. He can play on the ground, he can play in the air. It will be important as well on set pieces.

“He would add quality to Mikel Arteta's team.”

Emmanuel Petit: “Even if they have the chance to sign both of them, they need at least two or three more players. Definitely some competition in midfield. Definitely.

“I think they need a creative midfielder because Martin Odegaard seems to get tired towards the end of the season. They need rotation in that role and a new holding midfielder as well.

“Arsenal need at least four or five players. But I think the club and Mikel Arteta know that.”

Emmanuel Petit: “Every transfer window, we have the same questions with Chelsea, I saw they were looking at Jonathan David from Lille, but don’t they have enough players already?

“I think they have enough players. If they want to bring more players, they need to sell first. I mean, before thinking about bringing new players, try to sell some of them.

“They also need to keep hold of Conor Gallagher.

“Every time I open a newspaper or I go on the internet, I see so many players linked with Chelsea. They can only play with 11 players on the pitch. So what's the point of bringing again so many more players having only just brought in a new manager?

“So it's gonna take weeks, weeks, months to set up everything, to understand the tactical organisation, the management, everything.

“If they are happy to change 40% of the dressing room every six months then good luck to them. I don't get it, to be honest with you.”

Emmanuel Petit: “I have a big respect for Niclas Fullkrug. Every time I have seen him play he makes a difference. He's a tall guy and he is very difficult to play against physically.

“It's very good for the team, but I'm not sure that Manchester United need that kind of player. When you look at big teams in Europe that conquer titles, they probably need someone with speed, with space, someone that can bring danger behind the defence.

“I think he could be a good addition to Manchester United's squad, but I wouldn’t be picking him. I would definitely choose another striker with pace.

“If they wanted to play Fullkrug then they’d have to adapt the style of your play. If they do sign him then I think they need to sign a striker with pace too.”

Emmanuel Petit: “I have loved watching Riccardo Calafiori at Euro 2024, against Croatia he was so determined, I like him a lot. He is powerful, he has pace, he’s very aggressive, he's young and you could see that mentally this guy is strong as well.

“When I was watching him I was thinking that this guy could be a good addition for English clubs - and Arsenal would be very good for him.

“Arsenal need someone who is versatile, he can play as a central defender but he can play in other positions too. He's got pace, he's intelligent with the ball and doesn't make a lot of mistakes on the pitch. He's very focused and good tactically too.

“He's good technically as well and on top of it he's got pace, energy and metal.

“He would fit in perfectly at Arsenal but with Chelsea too. Manchester United as well. I'm pretty sure that Premier League clubs will try to sign him and that might stop him from joining Juventus.”

Emmanuel Petit: “With Casemiro at Manchester United, I think that the Premier League is too different to La Liga. The rhythm, the physical impact is definitely not the same and I think with Casemiro, he didn't expect what was going to happen at Manchester United in the dressing room, but on the pitch as well.

“I think just like with Raphael Varane as well, they came from Real Madrid where they were used to winning big titles and all of a sudden they came into a club, a huge club as well, but that was living in the past.

“I think they didn't expect what they saw in terms of the environment at the club. For Casemiro, I think he's at the edge of his career and he wouldn’t suit Arsenal.”

Emmanuel Petit: “Now Marc Guehi is playing for the national team, despite all the respect I have for Crystal Palace, he needs to leave the club.

“Just like Declan Rice, when he left West Ham, he needs to go the next step if he wants to keep improving, if you want to become a different player.

“If he wants to continue on that path then he can’t stay at Crystal Palace, you need to be playing three times a week and playing on the European stage. Then he can become a better player and fulfil his potential.”

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