Would Simon & Graeme Work In Saudi?! 👀🇸🇦 | Simon & Souness | Episode Four

Join Simon Jordan & Graeme Souness each week in 'Simon & Souness'! This week, they discuss the rise of Saudi money in football, and what they think of the players that have gone to the Saudi Pro League!
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#premierleague
#simonjordan
#graemesouness

[@forsuper6836]

Talksport will change its name to Saudisport if the Saudis came in for them

[@texydenayer7603]

Right 😂

[@charlesbrown4941]

In a heartbeat

[@andrewclavin7447]

Jim and simon sat there in their headscarves promoting saudi tourism.. Do it!

[@alanredindonesia4640]

As usual Topical interesting & well worth watching.

[@Kehua800]

These guys are Brillant

[@tobyjugg6202]

Souness remains to this day a legend - even just sat talking that special thing he has just shines through - well done to Simon for letting him roll. Whay a great program this is.

[@ronanflynn8690]

Why does Graeme think it was the best ever World Cup? I thought it was the worst. The best thing about the World Cup and Euros is that they’re in the summer time, where the beer garden’s packed and the weather is warm. The whole vibe of a winter tournament was miserable.

[@paulie-g]

Well, he was out there and it was pretty warm. Whether it was enjoyable for the public elsewhere is a different matter. He liked the facilities and the play.

[@darrenbaxter6093]

As someone who attended the World Cup for the first time , I can say I really enjoyed it. Was clean, safe, organized . I believe it was the lowest arrest numbers for fans also. It also was full of shocks , upsets and fairy tale win for Messi. So it had everything a sports event should. Best ever … it’s a hard metric to measure and a bold statement to make for sure !

[@paulie-g]

@@darrenbaxter6093 Given how fans were treated at other big football events recently, like the disgraceful treatment of Liverpool and RM fans in Paris at the CL final (robberies, no police protection, then police brutality and incompetence), just 'no major incidents, people allowed to enjoy themselves' was a big win.

[@stewartmiller6075]

These guys are brilliant. I could listen to both all day.

[@williambailey9378]

Fantastic conversation between two great guys fab gents 👏

[@nuncaolvidare4895]

Too true 👍

[@TomBerishaj]

FFP wasn't brought in to entrench the bigger clubs or shut out state ownership; it was brought in to stop serious clubs like Leeds, Rangers, Parma, and Portsmouth from going bankrupt.

[@Tarek_ElMaddah]

Exactly, I was going to say the same thing.

[@blairrobert3438]

Rangers went bankrupt, the current club is a new club. The Scottish media is just biased towards the Old Firm like the Spanish are with Madrid/Barca,

[@HardlyQuinn]

Im a nurse. If someone offered me 20 times my wages to do the same job only way easier over in saudi i would absolutely go. If anyone says they wouldn't based on moral high ground ill show you someone who is good at fooling themselves

[@Lowis1947]

You are massively missing the point. If you are being all principled about a cause then ditch that cause based on money then you weren’t bothered about the cause in first place rendering you a hypocrite.

[@dorualex3092]

what about 5 times or 10 times more you refuse them ? the question is how Saudi make this big money are they legit .... would u take their money if money comes from illegitmate business

[@whodoyouratemore]

Have you heard of this stuff called oil and gas before

[@whodoyouratemore]

​@@dorualex3092I'm sure the USA is a shining light of morality and legitimacy and no one would have a problem working there for even double the money.

[@Tarek_ElMaddah]

@@dorualex3092 What is the illegitimate business in Saudi?

[@mr90s48]

We all knew Jordan Henderson cared as much about the rainbow 🌈 as the next football fan

[@paulie-g]

It's harmless virtue signaling that is required of people in certain positions. The same way I don't pay attention to Ukrainian flags and things: I know these people didn't bother to learn the history or properly inform themselves about what has gone on there since 2008 and more recently since 2014 or they'd have serious questions (I don't imagine a society that rejected the BNP would be in love with the UA version that's 100 times worse) - it's just a trendy thing to stick on things to signal that you're in favour of all that's good against all that's bad (according to the zeitgeist).

[@StephenCarrIsBald]

I remember meeting Simon Jordan in Selhurst park in 2002 and his breath reeked of poo

[@Blucifah]

🤣🤣

[@ahmadmorsy1561]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@stethomas7209]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@stethomas7209]

that comments best I've ever seen 😂😂

[@christophernewman-rw9vu]

"Going to play in Saudi to set the grandkids up for life" - I hate it when pundits trot this tripe out. With the money the average premier league footballer is on, nobody needs to sell themselves out in Saudi to do this. And, is that a good lesson to teach your kids and their kids - "don't worry, you'll never have to work in your life". Awful

[@L1am21]

He said the opposite of that saying premier league players can already do that if they are semi intelligent.

[@texydenayer7603]

Simon Jordan will change his name to Saudi Jordan if the Saudis come for him 😊

[@ronnyron4681]

and Saud's premier league

[@peterdagostino6803]

Trans-Jordan

[@ryanmichael7795]

Simon really does love to cover old ground whether its conor benn or saudi. Have heard all of these points from him for over a year now. Best bit is he even has souness using his terminology when he says "the saudis are using football as a vehicle" 😂😂😂😂

[@Tarek_ElMaddah]

I enjoyed listening to Graeme for years in Bein English (Middle East) on Champions League nights.

[@rogerlebaron]

I could see there being an annual Northern Hemisphere Club competition in the future involving ME & US clubs. Personally think it is at least 10+ years away until ME/US & Chinese (?) teams are competitive. Think by then ME money will get bored & pull out.

[@Techmister538]

2 brilliant people

[@andyballard1883]

They want to be at the pinnacle so why would they go for getting to a point where they can play by the existing rules. Far better for them to a) bank role an explosion in Womens football by setting up a European or even global Super League and then make the necessary mistakes with lesser financial impact and then come up with a v2 of the Super League model that is guaranteed to work and disrupt the mens game with it. FIFA and UEFA would have to cave in eventually its just a question of how much money needs to go on the table

[@jamstermtb6331]

Love simon, straight talking, says it how it is

[@garethmorgan7474]

Top guys

[@lfcspectre4335]

Simon & Graeme = Top LADS Proper Clobbers 💯 Facts

[@nuncaolvidare4895]

Naw you behave 😒 Top clobber - did you read it!?

[@ravon1982]

650 billion is what they know about. the rest who knows

[@RSSP2000]

I think there was a German guy in the 19th century who wrote about the social, cultural and political problems inherent to an economic system dependent on constant growth with a tendency towards monopolization. Anyway it seems like he was right.

[@Justin-eq7yu]

It's hard to not take the money on offer, but the oriduct both football and boxing is not on the same level as the premier league or las vegas boxing

[@daviddenham1511]

I’ve lived and travelled the world for 40 years including living in Abu Dhabi for 9 years, and I can tell you tha the UAE is a wonderful country with lovely people whereas as Saudi is the complete opposite…..people need to understand the difference and not lump them all together

[@sports872]

What's bad about it?

[@daviddenham1511]

@@sports872 about what?

[@jacobfield4848]

The Saudi's should be spending that money helping Palestinians not wasting it on sports.

[@riaddaniels2823]

Did Souness say, today it’s 5 to 600 times the average man’s wage? It’s probably more like 5 or 6 million times the average man’s wage

[@jodu626]

it’s not the king it’s the prince

[@jayfusion555]

Both would be off in a heartbeat, like most, if SAUDI calls. MONEY trumps whatever one might think about some kind of loyalty. Mouths to feed and mind your own business, and all that. 😊

[@JP-es1nb]

Didn’t work in China. Won’t work in Saudi. Even if you give them 10 years to recruit better players and Chuck as much money at it as they like, they still won’t be able to attract the elite talent that want trophies. They will just be replacing players the brought over the year or 2 before, like hendo, fabinho, Firmino when they leave. They won’t be able to attract enough players to fill up the league teams. The amount of good player they will be able to attract will be minimal. Let’s not forget, they aren’t attracting elite at top of their game players. The players going there are good at best or ex elite.

[@JP-es1nb]

@@Yewchewb yeah I understand that. I just think it’s going to be a bigger version. They’ll improve their own league for sure and bring it up a level but it won’t even touch European football. They won’t be able to attract everyone and the top elite players in their prime will want trophies which they can’t offer. Nothing with quality anyway. Eventually after that they may go and yes they can still attract the group of players under like neves from wolves but that’s not even in the same league as a elite player. And it was just a one off. The main points is next year they will try again, and all they will be doing is replacing players that are leaving already and still won’t be the top players. They are being linked with a West Ham defender now

[@razer0072073]

1:30 2:40 4:28 5:10 5:45 6:12 6:49 7:05 14:21

[@roywilson4514]

Best world cup youve been to? Maybe as a VIP? Where were the fans?

[@encouragesolutions2595]

Will be interesting to see how things go if Man City/Chelsea or anyone else get hammered by FFP fines and relegations. Could be pivotal point for a EMENA (Europe Middle East North Africa) league with the PIF finance & TV rights deal.

[@nuncaolvidare4895]

Football is nothing without fans 😮 Behave yersel

[@encouragesolutions2595]

@@nuncaolvidare4895 Never said anything about fans. A Super League would still have full houses and atmosphere so you behave yersel.

[@nuncaolvidare4895]

@@encouragesolutions2595 bla bla bla leagues Stop talking p!sh Where do we stop!? Let the Australians in aswell.. The Japanese The problems we have are induced by globalism - just like NOBODY VOTED FOR - we didn't vote for it with our national sport either nor want it

[@Jalipino_Jay]

The Odd Couple

[@mnb9162]

The Saudi League will need to buy All of the Top 100 players in the world.... Currently they only have about 8.....And even if they do buy the Top 100 players.... Fans will probably still watch their own clubs Liverpool, Man Utd etc.... The history/fan loyalty is so hard to buy.... It will take Decades and hundreds of billions of losses...

[@stevewilson6390]

When you are off a certain age like Simon and Graham and have had very successful careers you dont need the money? They will not spend the money they already have.

[@Tarek_ElMaddah]

I don’t see how the join the champions league when it’s for European teams! Saudi is in Asia. However, I think they may have a chance to join the Super League (if it materializes). No one can predict the future anyway, it’s all guessing.

[@johnnewlands159]

How can they get the World Cup as Asian rep in 2034 and then be part of uefa before the cup starts ?

[@PALACEKAV]

What? nothing about them killing a journalist for criticising them?

[@larrygerry985]

The saudi strategy would be a super euro league. All they need is 1 team to enter that league

[@MrXaphus]

You can't compete in one region at club level and another region at international level - the Saudi national team will not jeopardize it's chances of qualifying for the world cup by joining the European federation over Asia (where they have a greater chance of qualification each tournament because the other teams in the region are comparatively worse than the teams in Europe). Remember, this whole project is about projecting the Saudi brand and the Saudi national team is not individually or collectively good enough to compete with average European teams (yet).

[@foxon172]

The background noise is annoying...all I can hear is other people mumbling.

[@lukelocks9083]

GS you're wrong about Saudi largely getting who they want, Mbappe said NO, no Harland, an over the hill CR7 & Messi went to the USA. With several players leaving/wanting to leave after 6mths there. It's going to be another China Super league, made some noise for a while, then pittered out.

[@MRHashesha]

Everyone has a price they will say yes to. they are not breaking the law:)), However, the business model of their league is not sustainable in the long term. It depends on the mood of someone in the high food chain in Saudi royalty. Sooner or later, the mood can change when the cow cash (oil) stops producing the same profits in 2034. Therefore, they will disturb the ecosystem of football for the next 10 years, but that's it!

[@lukelocks9083]

@@MRHashesha Everyone does not have a price, ever heard of the word No!

[@louischapman1927]

Why do people keep saying Saudi teams in champions league? Last time I checked Saudi Arabia wasn't in Europe!

[@MalcolmJames100]

Or could Saudi not be bothered about FIFA and uefa with their FFP. Maybe Saudi want to do in football what they did in golf. Maybe Saudi will create their own super league of clubs who can pay unlimited amounts on players and their salaries. Create tournaments, create a super league tour.

[@freescotland9573]

Simon debates nearly everything but I've never heard him mention the non governance of Saudi football will be your Bosman MkII. Top clubs will threaten court action in the European High Courts which they would win. If football, like the Saudi football federation and banking become non regulated, there will be closures everywhere and probably anarchy. It's coming, soon!

[@COOLARUL]

Not to mention, it leads to Monopolies and Oligopolies, with only the Monopolists as winners.

[@dondatta13]

Saudis wanted to be involved in golf... Saudis effectively bought golf by aquiring PGA. Saudis want to be involved in football... Saudis will just buy either UEFA or FIFA. Everything has a price & those 2 entities will do ANYTHING for money.

[@user-th5nb3ox1w]

A lot of waffle to simply say money talks. The authorities will find a way to justify them accepting the money from these countries.

[@pnefc2]

Forest have just appointed a guy who's come from Saudi

[@Skizzores]

If the Saudis want to compete with the legacy clubs then they’ll have to invent another competition like a world super league

[@Farhadmoh]

Champions league may become world champions league

[@terryomara9403]

Graham welcomed Any where simple isnt welcome

[@whodoyouratemore]

Are these saudi teams any worse than Celtic and Rangers

[@themessenger6664]

Dangerous statement Souness! they get what they want no way should that be the case because of money this is the template for corruption and destruction of the game and individuals .

[@harryhill-es5jk]

No way Real Madrid liverpool city man Utd any of the top team in Europe are going let any Saudi teams join the champions league When Saudi not evern in Europe or ever one the boarders of Europe

[@peterdagostino6803]

There are rumors players who have gone there now want to come back. The issue here is Saudi clubs are appallingly administered and run and lack any sort of credibility. Boxing events in Saudi are dead, I've been to a few, zero atmosphere and an audience with little to no interest in boxing. My point being, you can throw millions at a league, like in China, but the league still lacks any sort of pedigree, professionalism or credibility. Most Saudis watch the English Premier League not the domestic league.

[@searchingforvalhalla]

Just because our leaders are too weak to defend our way of life doesn't mean the middle east leaders should do the same they have lived there way for thousands of years everyone there knows the laws of there country if they choose to break the rules and get themselves beheaded that's on them I don't agree with some of there ways but I respect there rite to choose how they live wish we had leaders with a back bone

[@WaniZame]

The richest soverign wealth fund on the planet by some distance belongs to Norway (twice the size of Saudi). They aren’t interested in football. Ask yourselves why they don’t and you’ll find the answer as to why the Saudis do need to.

[@jasonhutchinson8060]

Lets face it - we are no better than Steve or Cristiano - at the right price we would all sell out.

[@Coxy_Wrecked]

The difference is, 99.999% aren't already being paid obscence amounts of money that you could never spend in a lifetime so we would jump at the chance to triple or quadruple our wage. in some cases, the footballers that have gone to Saudi were earning in 1 week what most of us would have to work 10 years for, BEFORE they went to Saudi, yet they needed even more?

[@user-yg6zs1pp3t]

so its not ok if Saudi teams can implement significant financially investments but yet its ok for Manchester City with over 100 violations of financial fair play charges. corruption is only ok if its EPL teams doing it? Europe is losing its grip on Elite football due to overwhelming corruption.

[@paulturner9542]

What’s hilarious is that people still think the Saudis just started playing football. Many Saudi clubs are 50+ years old. They’ve invested in football for a long time and their players are getting better. Compare from WC in 98 to Qatar 22 where they beat the champions Argentina.

[@peterdagostino6803]

Then lost 2 games and crashed out at the group stage. North Korea beat Italy once, Cameroon Argentina, but what progress have they actually made in terms of competitiveness on the biggest stage?

[@Mat_FootieSocialClub]

The Saudis have unlimited money. Absolutely unlimited! This is different to Russia, China etc. the Saudis will fund this until they achieve their goals

[@HardlyQuinn]

What we've learnt from the Henderson situation is simple. Never support a cause or charity. It only gets used against you.

[@boofuls]

Or don't be a virtue signaller

[@charlielad6124]

Obsessed with Saudi Arabia much? 😂

[@paulandhisguitars]

Thouroughly enjoyable world cup.......go tell that to one of the many workers who died building the stadiums.

[@shubhamchakrabarty8123]

"No PL club would want to take a manager from saudi league" Yes what about Nuno??

[@RSSP2000]

I think you know that's not what they meant

[@royferguson2297]

Saudi used their oil wealth to make the lives of there people better, I worked there and was amazed to go into a jewellers and see gold coins and bars sitting on the counter. They have a culture that's their right, who are we who have allowed our morals to go into the gutter the right to look down their nose at anyone. I'm more concerned about the Muslims in the U.K. who are out to cause trouble.

[@RSSP2000]

Ah yes, because gold coins and bars in jewelry shops are the universal measure of the average citizens' quality of life.

[@neilfitzhenry180]

Good luck to the Middle East - The English monopoly is challenged Is that bad? As an English person who lived in the Middle East If we look at history we have a lot more history washing/sports washing Who cares they have the cash and good luck to them Don’t hate your rival - just be better ❤️

[@dannytallmage2971]

English person lol. You were born in Bombay.

[@jfi368]

Sounds as if Souness has headed too many balls !

[@Aus_Blade]

So it’s ok for Saudi to pour money into premier league clubs but not ok for them to buy players to play in Saudi league ? What’s the difference, both are bad for English football … surely the answer is easy … don’t allow Saudi money in English football

[@LeftWinger9]

Souness slated Russia and said he wanted Ukraine to beat Scotland. A classic Scottish unionist right winger who thinks he's English

[@oiulti6900]

Saudi Arabia will be a major league. They are in no rush, they own the time… time is everything. I welcome them, great societies at the end of the day. Qatar was incredibly hospitable… loved it.

[@darrenlee9237]

If the sportswashing Wahabbis were paying him a seven figure sum then Simon Jordan would gladly have "PROPERTY OF MBS" tattooed on his bum.

[@terryomara9403]

Jealous jorden

[@whodoyouratemore]

All these moral issues about footballers going to saudi but you don't hear a word about the boxers

[@jackg5966]

Why is Jordan a pundit .. ?? he is both a failed football player and owner ..

[@MortenHjrnevik-ti6sg]

Norways wealth fund is even bigger

[@gavinn1275]

Thanks, I never knew that. Gonna look into it

[@shuaibkadir8657]

No the Saudis have way more. Infinite amounts of money. Nobody knows how much they really have

[@MortenHjrnevik-ti6sg]

Probably but not in their public wealth fund that winner by a long way is Norway

[@lfcspectre4335]

The Chinese may have say on that lad

[@stuartmurray3995]

​@@MortenHjrnevik-ti6sg Helt riktig, Morten 👍

[@gerardonochie3408]

Simon sounds like an old colonialist who cannot adapt to change and uses excuses like being worried about "Football Eco System" as a veiled envy of the amount of money the Saudi's have.

[@moej93]

This guy with the glasses is really thick isn't he ?

[@habibbenouaghrem5147]

Simon is talking about gerrard and if another top league will take him, FYI simon it already happened xavi and wenger😂😂😂😂

[@matthewdoyle3877]

Souness a miss on sky, only pundit who wasnt a paid actor

[@fakinel]

One theory is they are insisting on paying in dollars cos they know usd will be useless soon 🔜