Shaun Wright-Phillips exclusive: 2038 is way too soon to have another tournament in the US

The summer's big soccer tournament might be over but the Premier League start is only weeks away.  Jackpot City Casino, was very excited to speak exclusively to former Man City and Chelsea forward Shaun Wright-Phillips about his thoughts on the tournament, Premier League and more.

The former England star has discussed Floarin Balogun with the USMNT, Jesse Marsch’s progress with Canada and who might host in 2038.

Other topics include Morgan Rogers’ move to Chelsea from Aston Villa, the future of Enzo Fernandez and where John Stones might end up after leaving Manchester City.

Premier League

Q: Can Morgan Rogers take Chelsea to the title, or do you think the £117million could prove a weight on his shoulders?

“Morgan Rogers is a fantastic player. I think he's a great all-rounder, he works hard and he's a real presence. People are scared of him. He creates chances and he does the dirty work as well for an attacking player, which is a massive plus.

“For me, I think Xabi Alonso has gone into Chelsea and in many ways settled the ship, offering a lot of the players there a bit more stability.

“There is a future for this club and it's going in the right direction. I think although Aston Villa are in the Champions League, in the grand scheme of things, you would see Chelsea as a much bigger club.

“I think he wanted to go there, and maybe for him, it was just time for a new project.”

Q: Is the Morgan Rogers deal a double bonus with Arsenal not getting him?

“They’ve done it twice, haven't they? That same thing happened with me and now it's happened with Morgan Rogers. But yeah, I think Chelsea have to do that, fight for transfers.

“They're not in the place where that club belongs, and to get them back to that level, they need to sign players like Morgan.”

Q: How big a blow is Marc Cucurella’s departure to Chelsea, and who would you like to see come in as his replacement? Lewis Hall?

“Marc Cucurella I think is a massive loss. I think he's a fantastic player, not only from his performance for Spain, but since he found his feet at Chelsea.

“He was at a club that was in many ways in disarray, they didn't know where they were going or what direction they were heading. As soon as they got a manager in place that had a tactical side to him, you saw the good Cucurella they bought. For me, he's just grown since that moment.

“To lose somebody of that magnitude will, of course, affect that defence. But it's Chelsea, people move on and clubs like that have to figure out a way to find a suitable enough player that does just as good a job.

“Lewis Hall would be a fantastic replacement for Chelsea. I think he's a great player. I was one of the ones who was shocked that he wasn't playing at the tournament, to be honest with you. But that will give him a little bit of grit between the teeth as well. As long as he can stay fit, he's got a superb career in front of him.”

Q: Would you like to see Enzo Fernandez still have a future at Chelsea?

“Enzo Fernandez, where does he go? Real Madrid have already said he's not in their plans. He made all that noise, but yet he's going to have to stay where he is for the time being. The only teams that would probably pay that sort of money are maybe City, Liverpool, and Real Madrid, and none of those three want him.

“Barcelona don't really spend like that. So from what I can see, he's at Chelsea next season.

“He's definitely going to have to earn the respect back from fans. From what it seems, he has said he wants to leave, so how does he expect them to take it?

“They've been supporting him even when he wasn't playing well, so it's like a kick in the teeth to them. I've spoken to a few Chelsea fans who don't want him back at the club, so he's going to have to go back and change their minds and it won’t be easy.”

Q: Do you believe Elliot Anderson will be a success at Man City and will he be the perfect replacement for Rodri, or could it be too big of a step like Kalvin Phillips?

“I think not only did Elliot Anderson show a different aspect of his game at the tournament, because he was more of the deeper, holding sort of midfielder, but when he was at Forest, he was playing like a number eight and he was all over the place.

“He creates chances, he defends well, he gets a lot of interceptions and he, for me, would be a good replacement for Bernardo Silva.

“I wouldn't say they're the same sort of player, he kind of drifts around the pitch and covers as much ground in a different way to how Bernardo Silva does. It's almost like he has a free role, there are players that can get away with not having a fixed position in the team.

“There were times when you watched Bernardo, he'd be a right winger but he's getting the ball off the two centre-backs. I think he will bring that sort of element in a different way.

“It's different from Kalvin Phillips, it's going to be a new City for a start. The new players that do come in and the players that are already there will all be starting at the same place.

“There are a few players that obviously know the City model, but there's going to be a lot of tweaks and changes which they're all going to have to adapt to. I think he's in a good position and the way he plays football, his football IQ is very, very high.

“He plays in a similar way to how City would play anyway, controlling the game, dictating it, and playing those through balls if he has to. I think Erling Haaland will benefit from him a lot as well.”

Q: What are your thoughts on Enzo Maresca and are you worried he won’t be able to successfully replace Pep Guardiola, like David Moyes after Fergie at Man Utd?

“I don't think you can replace Pep. You would like to think there's managers out there that can step in and compete, but I think you've got to give him a fair chance. In general, I think the situation is different compared to when Arsene Wenger left Arsenal and when Ferguson left United.

“Man City have a model from the Academy, Women's and Boys, all the way to the first team.

“Maresca is coming into a model he already knows is there. There won't be too many changes because he knows the ‘City way’ effectively. That's why I see it a little bit differently.

“Whereas the managers that replaced Fergie and Arsene Wenger had to create their own tactics and the way they wanted to play again, I don't think that will happen here.”

Q: Do you fear that it’s Erling Haaland’s destiny to go and play for Real Madrid or Barcelona one day?

“Erling Haaland at Real Madrid or Barcelona? He seems very happy at the club. The club love him and the fans adore him. At the minute, he seems to me like he is driven by scoring goals and helping this City team achieve things, rather than just breaking records.

“He always lets people know this is what he's on the pitch for. But he's breaking so many records, speaking as a fan, I don't see him leaving for now. He seems like a loyal person from what I've taken from him.

“If that day was to ever come, I think it wouldn't be for another four years because of the contract he's got. For someone to come in and pay that, I don't think many clubs could.”

Q: Do you think Man City can snatch the Premier League title back off Arsenal, and what are your top four predictions?

“I quite like the fact that nobody's talking about Man City. It was the same thing that happened last season, everybody just kind of counted them out. Then they pushed Arsenal to the wire to win the title and came away with a double.

“For the players to not have that much pressure on them under a new manager might benefit them. I don't think we won't be too far off.

“It's easy to say Arsenal are favourites again, but I think Roberto De Zerbi is at Spurs now and they're properly bulking up. You've got a fabulous manager in Andoni Iraola who's gone to Liverpool, he will make things work there.

“Then of course you've got Xabi Alonso at Chelsea. I don't think it's going to be as cut and dry as that. I was speaking to a mate the other day and I said this year could possibly be the first time for a while the so-called ‘Big Six’ finish one to six.

“Because of the way it's stacked at the minute, it makes for a wicked season coming up. Don’t forget about Manchester United under Michael Carrick. Even though I don't like them, I have to give them a shout.”

Q: Could you see Arsenal signing John Stones as a short-term replacement for the injured William Saliba, and for his experience in winning the Champions League?

“It would definitely be crazy to see John Stones in that red Arsenal kit, especially after the rivalry between Man City and Arsenal over the years. But I can 100% see why they'd take him.

“He's comfortable on the ball, he can play out from the back under pressure, he can step into midfield, and he scores from set pieces. Stonesy is an all-rounder. No matter who he plays for, I think people appreciate him even more when they see him in the flesh.”

Q: Can you see your ex-England team-mate Michael Carrick being a success at Man Utd in the long haul and are you worried about City’s rivals future under him?

“Man Utd are as close to Man City as they have been in a long time. The signings they made, especially in attack, were the right ones. I think it's helped Amad Diallo come on leaps and bounds in terms of the caliber of players he's competing with.

“Marcus Rashford is back there too. They've got a lot of firepower now to cause teams serious problems. It's just whether he can keep the players fit, especially in the defensive area.

“They've got everything needed, maybe not for a title challenge, but to hang around the Champions League spaces for sure.”

Q: What’s the one position Man Utd must address this summer, and who should they bring in to make them title contenders?

“Youri Tielemans, I can see as an important signing. Although it's still interesting in terms of his role because Kobbie Mainoo and Tielemans have similar attributes.

“Regarding the Andrey Santos deal, you would most probably say he will replace Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro. From that perspective, they are good buys.

“It'll be interesting to see who features in the bigger games like the Champions League and the top of the table clashes. I'm intrigued to see which combination Michael Carrick picks, because you know Bruno Fernandes is going to be in there regardless.

“So, who are the other two going to be?”

Q: Can you see Bruno Fernandes leaving Man Utd next summer if they don’t win the Premier League?

“Bruno Fernandes is one of the best players to never win the Premier League, he’s definitely in that conversation. As a City fan, we raved about Kevin De Bruyne. There's not much in between Bruno and De Bruyne in terms of the way they play football, the passes they see and the things they try.

“They don't let anything hold them back. If they see a pass in their head, they believe they can make it. Whereas some people might shy away and play the safer pass, those two for me have been fabulous to watch.”

Q: How much would Virgil van Dijk leaving Liverpool, having been linked with AC Milan and Fenerbahce, set the club back?

“I would be surprised if Liverpool let Virgil van Dijk go. I don't think you can lose that many big players in one summer, and Virgil is a massive part of that Liverpool defense.

“People were giving him a lot of stick last season in terms of his defending, but I've always said it's hard going into a game just focusing on yourself when you're worried about covering what's happening around you.

“Whether it was worrying about covering Milos Kerkez or Ibrahima Konate, because Konate didn't play that well last year either, or the right-back problems. He's going into games with so much on his mind that it takes him away from focusing on his own job.

“He wanted to try and help everybody else. I think Virgil will still be Virgil this year and the team will be better for it if he's in that squad.”

Q: What are your thoughts on Andoni Iraola to Liverpool, and can they challenge for the title in his first season?

“Will Liverpool be in the title race? Most definitely. To be honest with you, with the players they have there, it almost felt like they just needed the right man to get the full potential out of them. They have some fantastic players there and Andoni Iraola and win trophies with them.”

Q: Who would be the dream winger replacement for Liverpool? Is Rio Ngumoah ready to thrive?

“Do you need to when you've got Rio Ngumoha there? I think maybe this might be the time to just let him go and play. You don't need to go out and spend a hundred million on a winger when you don't know how they'll adapt.

“It's the Premier League, you might be able to do it elsewhere, but can you replicate that here? It's hard to say. So why hinder the growth of Rio if you've got time now to play him?

“I can imagine they will sign somebody, but perhaps not a massive name when there's no need. They have the quality already. Rio showed it in the practice matches for England before the tournament, he was probably our best winger through those matches.

“For Euro 2028, 100%. If he gets the game time he's shown he deserves, I think he would have a fair crack at featuring in that tournament.”

Q: Should Curtis Jones leave Liverpool for his own benefit to get regular game time?

“Curtis Jones’ future? Football is a matter of opinion. Curtis Jones played a lot under Jurgen Klopp, featuring in important games and playing a big part.

“To be fair to him, he did really well and deserved every opportunity. Then another manager comes in and isn't really giving him much, perhaps because they spent so much money on certain players they feel they have to play. He suffered from that.

“Sometimes it is time to just turn a page, move on, and start a chapter somewhere else. You need to play as much football as you possibly can because the career is short, and before you know it, it's over.”

Q: With Harry Kane getting no younger, can you see him following in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and moving to MLS, and what club would suit him?

“Harry Kane in MLS? He's played for so long at such an elite level, maybe he might just make a decision based on his family now rather than his career.

“From what I've seen, he's a family man, and it'll be a conversation he and his wife will have to have because there are kids involved, which means they lose their friends and have to start again in a different country with a different schooling system.

“So for him, there's a lot to think about. It's not as simple as just wanting to go and play in the MLS. For me it was different because I lived on my own, so I just went.”

Q: Can you see Pep Guardiola taking over as USA manager, enjoying a more relaxed role rather than day-to-day in a hot country like America?

“If Pep Guardiola ever returns to work, which I doubt he will for a while. From what I gather, he's on a break for family time because it's been ten years almost back-to-back.

“Current players and manager haven't really had a summer since COVID, everything's been all over the place. This will be like a sabbatical. But if he ever moves to the MLS, I reckon he could entice Kane over there. What a pairing that would be.”

World Cup/MLS

Q: What did you make of Spain vs Argentina in the final, did the best team lift the trophy?

“I'm a massive Lionel Messi fan and I would have loved to see him lift back-to-back trophies and bow out the way people expect, but it just wasn't to be. Spain were just too strong.

“You can be as aggressive as you want, but if you don't have the ball, you're not going to do anything. Spain are the best at passing people into submission, they just angered them.

“They started doing silly things, giving away fouls they didn't need to. From that point, Spain knew they had the game where they wanted it.”

Q: Did Argentina cross the line during and after the final?

“Argentina completely crossed the line. It's almost like they lost their discipline and lost their identities. Some teams play on the edge, and I think Argentina are one of them, but I think this year they took it a little bit too far.”

Q: After winning the Euros and World Cup back-to-back, is Lamine Yamal the superstar to replace Messi and Ronaldo instead of Mbappe and Haaland?

“The way Lamine Yamal plays brings that joy and makes fans want to watch him because of the excitement. He will definitely replace that being left by Messi and Ronaldo.

“It would have been different for him this year because everybody knows him now. Everyone is scared of him, so they double or triple up on him, making it harder for him to do his job.

“He still played well for me. He did all the other stuff, created chances and was a headache for the opposition. He kept the ball when he had to. So I still think he played quite well and of course has a huge future.”

Q: In your view, who is the GOAT - Messi or Ronaldo?

“Well, for me, there wasn't a debate anyway. I could understand why people debated it, but as an all-round footballer, winger, and entertainer, Lionel Messi was always the guy for me.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is incredible, but between those two it's always going to be a matter of opinion, and mine just sways towards Messi. He's just a joy to watch, he fascinates me.

“It's always interesting how he just walks into space. A lot of the time you'll see him walking, but then it's like he just flicks a switch and he's in full flow. He knows exactly what he's doing, the pass he wants to play, the one-two, how he wants to receive it. It's just incredible.”

Q:  Do you think  the USA should host again in 2038 or should it only be staged in countries where football’s the main sport?

“2038 is way too soon for the US to host again and I've had enough of the water breaks, to be totally honest! It probably gave up in ways I didn't want it to, but that's where we're at. It'll be way too early.

“It's for the world, not just for America, so there are other countries and places it needs to be before it comes back there.”

Q: Did England fail in only making the semi-finals, and should Thomas Tuchel be under more pressure than he is?

“Tactically, I think we got it wrong. I don't think any team can just say, ‘alright, we're 1-0 up with 35 minutes to go,’ and then go defensive against a team that will punish you if given space. We had it right before we went 1-0 up, we made it ugly, played football, caught them on the break, and bullied Argentina.

“If they got anywhere close, we left a little bit on them, and that suited our game at the time. That's not the team we usually are, but sometimes you have to win ugly.

“We were winning ugly and playing nicely when we had to. Then, as soon as we changed it, I looked at the game and there were eleven people on the edge of our box. I thought, ‘this is not a good look.’ Before you know it, it's 1-1.

“They got the momentum and we were still sitting that deep. It felt like there was only one way it could go, and unfortunately, it happened. I was devastated for the guys because I thought we played really well through the tournament.

“In the big moments, the players took their chances, which was fantastic to see. If you look at the Euro final, we lost because of a moment. To see that change and then watch us against France in the first 40 minutes, that was probably the best I've seen England play in a long time.

“It was so free-flowing, with everyone doing rotations and running in behind. It was like watching street football. It reminded me of the old days where it was ‘you have a go, we have a go.’

“They just believed in themselves. People say there was no pressure or France didn't turn up, but France isn't our problem, we played really well in that half.

“It was scary to see France flip the switch, though. We could have been 7-4 down before we got more. But it was a wicked performance in the first half, I thought.”

Q: Euro 2028 a must-win for Thomas Tuchel?

“It's hard to say ‘must win’ because we have to respect the other countries. We've got an unbelievable squad, but so do others like Spain and France. Argentina might not have the same squad on paper, but they make it hard in tournaments. We're going into the Euros and there will be other countries with the quality to hurt us.

“I believe we can win it, and the players will believe too. If Tuchel gets it, he will believe it can be won. They have to go in there thinking they need to be at that level all the time, like the first half against France, for 90 minutes every game. If they have that attitude, I don't think many teams would stop them. Consistency is the hardest part.”

Q: What did you make of the US’ performance, do you think they can build on their last-16 exit and go further in the future?

“It wasn't a pretty exit. I think they got as far as they could. Sometimes that happens, you get your results early, but then you come up against a team like Belgium, which is full of proper players who have played in the top leagues for a long time.

“They have the know-how, and the USA is just getting there.

“Some of their players are playing all the time in the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Serie A now. By the next tournament, I think they'll be fine to kick on further. If they come up against a country like that again, they will play it completely differently.”

Q: Having played for the New York Red Bulls, what is your assessment of the growth of MLS since your time in the league, and what do you think is the next big step for the league to take?

“One thing I noticed when I was over there was the ‘pay-to-play’ system for the younger groups. It wasn't really about scouting and finding talent, it was more about who could afford to pay, and that's how they became Red Bull players or whoever.

“I know they were trying to change that system. I don't know whether it has yet, but they have to find a way to pay their coaches because the league isn't as big as the Premier League.

“When I was there, there were some fantastic players who didn't go forward with it and retired at 17 or 18 because they weren't getting paid enough to live. Their families were directing them a different route.

“I think if they can get the structure right, that will kick the league on again. The US national team needs that more than anything so players don't always have to move abroad. Lionel Messi has enticed a lot of players over there, and the South American lot that go there are good players as well, which helps keep the game together.

“There were stages when I was there that four players would be on one wavelength and the other five not so much. Now it feels like there's more teams that can play on a similar level. It's always going to be different with Miami because somehow they're getting all these players in.

“You're only allowed five DPs, but for whatever reason, they're finding a way around it. When I played there, LA Galaxy did the same thing. The more teams that can do that, it will help the youngsters coming through, but at the same time, it can kill their progression because those stars are always going to play. It'll be interesting to see which way it goes.”

Q: Now that North American stadiums and cities were showcased during the tournament, do you think more players will find MLS a more appealing option?

“I'm really hoping the tournament has a lasting impact. As we say in England, football is one thing that brings everybody together. In America, going to games is a family day out, you cheer on your team and have a laugh. In England, football is like a religion, isn't it?

“It's a little bit different, but I think the tournament should help.

“The clubs have to respect the fans a bit more, without them, there is no club. You always hear about them picking up a franchise and moving it elsewhere. What about the fans who have been supporting you for ten years? They need to get rid of that and put fans first.”

Q: What are your thoughts on MLS not having promotion/relegation?

“I don't like it. I'm not a massive fan of that system. It can kill the excitement because there have been games where you have to win to get into the playoffs, but the team you're playing doesn't need to win. They aren't bothered, they can just throw the game because there's nothing for them to fight for.

“So it can change the dynamics of who goes into the playoffs. For me, they need to bring in consequences for teams that are just coasting through. If those teams knew they could get relegated, I bet you the league standard would go higher because nobody wants to be down there.”

Q: How much did you enjoy your time at New York Red Bulls, and the same at Phoenix Rising?

“It was different in a lot of ways. I was there early-ish compared to now. People ask me for a comparison, and I say MLS was a long way off the Premier League then. I don't think many MLS teams at that time could have hung in the Championship, which people underestimate.

“They were probably looking at mid-table or bottom half of the Championship and League One. They seem to be making progress now. With Lionel Messi there, the league is growing. But the demand in English and European football is still a long way ahead of the MLS.”

Q: Are there any US players, like Folarin Balogun, you can see being a success in the Premier League? And what club would he suit?

“If Folarin Balogun keeps doing what he did last season and emulates that after this year's tournament, there will be big clubs looking at him. It just depends whether he wants to take a chance.

“If he gets a chance to come to the Premier League, he should, because it puts him on the world stage straight away. Being an ex-Arsenal player, he should want to come back and prove people wrong, let them know they let go of something they shouldn't have.”

Q: Do you think Mauricio Pochettino will find the allure of club management too much, or can you see him staying on as US manager?

“It will definitely be hard for the US to keep Mauricio Pochettino because he seems like a manager who still wants to manage at club level. If the right club comes along, it'll be hard to say no.

“There's a massive difference between managing a country and a club. With a club, you're there day in, day out, and you can integrate everything you need for match day.

“Internationally, you're hands-on, but not as much as you'd like to be. I can see him coming back into club football. The way management roles move around at the minute, if another club like AC Milan were serious about him that's a chance you can't really turn down.”

Q: After watching Argentina, should Messi have continued playing at the top level in Europe for longer or was MLS and Inter Miami the right move for him?

“I hope Lionel Messi doesn't retire in 2028 because, as an ex-footballer, I just enjoy watching him and seeing his highlight reel every week.

“I think he won't decide where he goes right now, he'll see where he is at the end of his contract and how his body feels. But the way he plays, it looks like he could play for another four years easily.

“As many years as he does play in MLS that is great news for the league.”

Q: Could the likes of Inter Miami compete for bigger trophies?

“Could Lionel Messi lead Inter Miami to more trophies? You can never count him out, can you? He could play badly for eighty-five minutes and then go on two dribbles and get a goal or two assists.

“He's a player you can never count out at any age. With the players around him at Inter Miami, I think they will be favourites for a lot of things while he's there.”

Q: Would you like to see Jesse Marsch return to the Premier League, and do you think he is better than what he showed at Leeds? And what club would suit him?

“For Canada, Jesse Marsch’s experience was massive. I've always liked Jesse's philosophy. My brother spoke about it when he was doing the Canada game, and he did the same with us at Red Bulls. He doesn't mind you blowing a gasket for sixty or seventy minutes because he'll just replace the front three to keep the intensity of the press on.

“The players bought into it and he got the best out of them. To get that Canada team to where they got to was a massive achievement.

“They will have more belief for the next tournament because of what they just did this time round. They'll be looking at the next one thinking they can go even further, but it's a positive sign.”

Q: Would you like to see Alphonso Davies play in the Premier League and could he replace Cucurella at Chelsea?

“Alphonso Davies in the Premier League with Chelsea? Right now, I wouldn't focus on that for him. He's just come back from a massive injury and has had a couple of setbacks since.

“I think right now it's about him getting his body right and trying to get consistent game time again. We know how good he is, but it’s not the time to think about a big transfer.”

Q: Jonathan David has been linked with Man Utd in the past, is he good enough for that step just yet?

“Jonathan David needs to find a period of being his very best in order to attract Premier League interest.

“Once he’s ticking over, I think he will start to find his way again and show people the potential he has. It won't be too long before he finds his feet, but he has to do that before a Premier League club takes a gamble on him, because the risk is too high otherwise.

“He’s at a huge club already in Juventus so it can be hard to get that run of starts, but he has shown how good he can be for Canada, he just needs to translate that into club form.”

Q: How big a signing has Thomas Muller at Whitecaps been to Canadian football?

“Thomas Muller is great for football over there, especially for the younger generations being inspired by him. There are players there who have watched him growing up and now have a chance to play with him and pick his brain.

“Part of the reason I signed for the Red Bulls was because I believed I could help the younger generation, and I think a lot of those players will do that organically too.

“It’s always great to have icons like Muller over there, but the most important thing is them inspiring and helping younger players.”

Q: What were your experiences playing in MLS against Canadian sides?

“It's really good to have Canadian clubs competing with American clubs, but it's a bit of a nightmare for the players with all the travelling, though.

“Normally when you go that way, you play two games in Canada to stop you going back and forth. But in general, it's good. If it's doable and helps the league on both sides, it can only be a good thing for the development of players from both nations.

“Hopefully it helps both national teams have success going forward.”