Exclusive Interview With Didi Hamann: Liverpool, Champions League Final and More

In an exclusive interview, Didi Hamann shared his thoughts on all things Liverpool, the future of Florian Wirtz, the Champions League final and much more. Featured image courtesy of Sky Germany.

Speaking exclusively to BettingLounge.co.uk, Liverpool legend Didi Hamann has explained why Jeremie Frimpong could end up playing on the left-wing following his move to Anfield. 

The Champions League winner has also tipped Viktor Gyokeres to join Arsenal over Liverpool this summer because of their desperation to sign a striker. 

Hamann has also urged Wrexham to sign Callum Wilson on a free transfer this summer and admitted how special it would be to see Cristiano Ronaldo at the Club World Cup as he is linked with a surprise transfer to Brazil. 

Q: What can Liverpool fans expect from Jeremie Frimpong? 

DH: “Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a brilliant player for Liverpool and obviously his strength was going forward, I think Jeremie Frimpong can play the same role if he's got two experienced centre-backs next to him. 

“Obviously in Ryan Gravenberch, they've got a player who's done really well and gives that position a bit of security. They don't really concede many goals, so I think it's a position he can play. 

“However, when you play against the best teams in the league or then in Europe, I'm not too sure whether he's the right fit for that position. What he does give you is versatility because he can play a bit further forward as well, but he’s at his best without that defensive responsibility. 

“I think he can play there. Long-term, I'm not too sure whether he's a right-back. He's certainly not a right-back by trade, in that way there are similarities to Trent. 

“But they are two completely different players, Frimpong’s biggest asset is his pace. He's lightning quick and goes past players, he's a good finisher and sets up a lot of goals while scoring a lot of goals on the counter-attack. 

“He's a good finisher from the right position, whereas Trent scores most of his goals with free kicks or from outside the box. I don't think we see that from Frimpong too often.” 

Q: Is Jeremie Frimpong’s arrival bad news for Conor Bradley? 

DH: “If Arne Slot decides that Conor Bradley should be his first choice, which is likely, there's a possibility that Jeremie Frimpong plays a bit further forward. 

“He plays on the right-hand side, but obviously, Mohamed Salah occupies that position. You can even use him on the left because he's got a lot of pace.

“I think they've got that position well covered now and Conor Bradley has done ever so well, he's signed a new contract, but next season there might be 55 games including internationals if Liverpool go deep in competitions. 

“I think you need two players for every position and I think with these two, they're different players, but I think it's well covered now.” 

Q: Should Liverpool accept £2million to let Trent Alexander-Arnold join Real Madrid early? 

DH: “Real Madrid have got a top class player on a free transfer, but obviously his contract runs until June 30th, whether they want to use him earlier or not. 

“He’s not going to be needed for Liverpool up until the end of that contract, but they should only let him go if they are getting a fee, they shouldn’t do it for nothing. 

“I can’t see where Real Madrid are coming from in asking to get him early for nothing, his contract exists and Liverpool should get a fee if they can.” 

Q: Is Paddy Pimblett wrong, should Trent Alexander-Arnold play a big role in the title parade? 

DH: “Paddy Pimblett is wrong. Trent Alexander-Arnold should absolutely play a big role in the title parade. 

“He came through the youth system and has been a fantastic player for eight or nine years now since Jurgen Klopp brought him into the team. He has won every trophy going with Liverpool and was a big part of the team. We shouldn't forget that. 

“He was a big part of every trophy-winning side Liverpool has had since his debut and he decided to take up a new challenge. 

“I don't get all the talk about him letting the club down by going on a free. If Liverpool offered him an extension one or two years ago, he probably would have taken it and they wouldn't be in that position now. 

“So to blame the player now, I think it's pathetic and he deserves a hero’s send-off because he's been such a fantastic player and to suggest that he shouldn't be taking part or that he's let the club down, I think it's ridiculous.” 

Q: Is Liverpool missing out on Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid a double blow? 

DH: “Dean Huijsen joining Real Madrid could be seen as a second blow for Liverpool, but we don’t know how concrete the interest was. 

“Having said that, we've seen with the extensions this season with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk that Liverpool do take their time.

“Obviously if you want an up-and-coming player who's done really well in the Premier League, there's a lot of takers and there's a lot of interest and I'm not sure whether they've been a bit too late. 

“I think it would have been a great addition at the same time. I think with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate here, they probably got the best center back pairing in the Premier League, but you need a younger one. 

“Dean Huijsen would have been great, but if you've got a chance to go to Real Madrid, I don't think you can fool the player.” 

Q: Is there a fear that we won’t see the same Mohamed Salah next season? 

DH: “I think we have to be careful judging Mohamed Salah at the moment because once the league is done and dusted, you probably lose a bit of urgency and I think that can make all the difference in the Premier League. 

“A lot of teams have something to play for, so if you take your foot off the gas a little bit, you don't score goals, you don't win games. That happens. 

“He's obviously past 30 now, so I think there will come a time where maybe his influence won't be as big as he has been this season, but he looks super fit and he's never injured. 

“I expect a very good Salah again next season and the season after. But then again, you've got to be careful because there's not too many players who score goals consistently past 30. 

“We've seen Lionel Messi, we've seen Cristiano Ronaldo, we’ve seen Robert Lewandowski now, he's got a brilliant season. Salah, I think he's in the same bracket. 

“He's a freak of nature to play in the Premier League for 10 years and I don't think he's missed more than 10 games. It's unheard of. He plays every week, he covers ground every week, he sprints a lot every week. 

“I wouldn't be too worried about Salah even though he hasn’t scored the last few weeks. We'll see a good Salah again next season.” 

Q: Would Rodrygo fit in at Liverpool or would he clash with Mohamed Salah?

DH: “I think Rodrygo would clash with Mohamed Salah at Liverpool. 

“He's done well at Real Madrid, but he probably hasn't done as well as they expected. There's a lot of unrest and a lot of turmoil in Madrid with the players, the players have a lot of power. 

“Bringing a player from Madrid in at the moment, the way they behaved over the last 12 months with not attending the Ballon d’Or ceremony, when they lost against Barcelona.

“It’s not Rodrygo's fault, but I think there's a lot of things in Madrid crept in which are toxic. From that perspective, bringing in a player from Madrid at the moment, I'd be careful.” 

Q: Would Rodrygo fit in at Bayern Munich? 

DH: “Rodrygo will probably cost a lot of money. I think what they do at Bayern Munich, they try to find the next Michael Olise, he's had a brilliant season. 

“Now look at a player like Eberechi Eze, he probably costs a few quid more after last Saturday. I think they look for players who are ready to take their game to the next level. 

“Very rarely do they bring players in from big clubs. From elsewhere in Germany, they try to bring players in. 

“I'm not too sure whether they ever bought a player from Barcelona or Real Madrid or one of the big guns. They'll probably look at him because you've got to look at every option, but I'd be surprised if he ends up in Munich.” 

Q: Would Kevin De Bruyne fit in at Bayern Munich? 

DH: “Kevin De Bruyne had an offer from Saudi last summer and he didn't go. If he didn't go last season, I suppose he probably won't go this season. 

“I think the MLS is probably the most likely destination and obviously he's not in the spotlight as much as in Europe. People leave you alone in America and I think it would be a great way to finish that for one or two seasons because he's been a great player in the Premier League, been a star for Manchester City and I'd probably go to the MLS.” 

Q: Has Kevin De Bruyne been treated harshly by Manchester City? 

DH: “Everything comes to an end and when you've got to make these decisions, there's no winners when you let such a fantastic player go. 

“It’s been a similar situation in Munich with Thomas Muller, there's a wrong time, but there's never the right time. Obviously Kevin De Bruyne is disappointed because he might feel he can play another season or he could have played another season. But at the end of the day, the club decides. 

“The club has decided not to extend this contract because maybe he occupies that position for a younger player because they've got some fantastic talent at Manchester City. 

“Then you just have to speak to him, be open with him, be honest with him. Obviously the earlier he knows, the better. Then you've got to part ways and he will get a nice send off next week when he plays his last game for City. 

“He’s been a fantastic player but as I said it's never an easy situation because when you do have to make this decision there's very rarely a winner.”

Q: Would missing out on Florian Wirtz be a big blow for Bayern Munich? 

DH: “It would be a blow for Bayern Munich to miss out on Florian Wirtz because they have pushed the boat out and all the important figures have said they want him. 

“They probably thought that England wasn’t really an option, now he’s speaking to Manchester City, apparently Liverpool although it’s not what Liverpool need position wise. 

“Liverpool are also not known as big spenders because he'll be costing north of 100 million quid. Having said that, he's a fantastic player and it will be a blow to Munich. 

“They've tried everything with the players' family, obviously with the officials at Bayer Leverkusen. But I think the decision is still open. I think there's also a chance he might end up with Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid. They'll be interested. 

“So, yeah, he's got four options, Munich, Madrid, City and Liverpool, only he can decide where he wants to go. I think it's open. 

“I wouldn't be surprised if the player himself doesn't know yet where he's going to go. We just have to wait and see, but it'll be interesting.” 

Q: Is the FA Cup final snub not a good look for Jack Grealish? 

DH: “It’s not a good look for Jack Grealish and it’s probably been four years of the same. At Aston Villa he was a brilliant player. He did everything. He picked the ball up from the left back position, drove the ball forward, set up a goal, and scored goals. 

“He might have had a good spell for four or five months at City in the four years he's been there, but he's never really been one of the first names on the team sheet. 

“Jeremy Doku was brought in and played on the wing, I think Grealish is probably a better player when he plays a bit more central. But obviously with Kevin De Bruyne, with Bernardo Silva, with Phil Foden, you've got competition there. 

“You've got to say, since he's gone there, it's really been a big misunderstanding between City and Grealish. He’s not a player that really fits into the way Pep Guardiola wants to play. 

“If anyone had any doubts whether his time at City would come to an end. It was probably shown on Saturday. I'd be surprised if he's still there next season. I think he needs a change, he needs a move. 

“He's such a fantastic player and it's really a shame to see him hardly play.”

Q: Could we see Jack Grealish at Bayern Munich? 

DH: “Jack Grealish would be exciting for Bayern Munich, but Manchester City paid £100million and will probably want most of that back.

“I can’t see him at Bayern Munich because of that, they are looking at Florian Wirtz and need a centre back, a midfielder and a winger, so I can’t see it.” 

Q: Will Eric Dier be a big loss to Bayern Munich? 

DH: “Eric Dier did really well at Bayern Munich. I had my doubts when he first signed because he played a lot in midfield for Spurs and was going to be used as a centre back. 

“Dayot Upamecano got injured and Min-jae Kim missed parts of the season, Dier came in and played brilliantly, he never put a foot wrong and scored a goal in Milan in the Champions League quarter-final. 

“He scored a few goals and I think a lot of people were surprised because if there was one player you could rely on in the second half of the season, he would probably be one of the first ones to be mentioned. 

“They offered him another year I think, he got two years in Monaco, he decided to go but he caught a lot of people by surprise because the way he played, the fans love him, and maybe thought it was a formality for him to sign a new contract. 

“Unfortunately, he didn't. I didn't think I would say this, but I think he'll be a big loss because he never moaned when he didn't play and when he played he never put a foot wrong. 

“These are the players you need in a team. They keep a team together and that's why I think he'll be a big loss for Munich next season.” 

Q: Should Liverpool fans be nervous about Arsenal signing Viktor Gyokeres? 

DH: “Arsenal might get Viktor Gyokeres (they are the current odds favourites, editor's note) because they are more desperate than Liverpool, who might look for a forward if Darwin Nunez leaves. 

“Nunez obviously didn't meet expectations from when he first arrived. He simply doesn't score enough goals. I think Arsenal are desperate. Liverpool won the league the way they played this season, even without Nunez scoring a lot of goals. 

“I think the need for a centre-forward is a lot more urgent in London with Arsenal than it is with Liverpool. That could potentially have an impact on his decision because I think they will try everything to get him in. 

“Mikel Arteta probably realises now as well that if you don't sign a centre-forward, all the hard work is for nothing if you don't convert your chances. 

“This is probably the reason why I’m leaning towards Arsenal with this destination.”

Q: Where do Liverpool need to strengthen this summer?

DH: “It’s obvious that Liverpool need to strengthen this summer. You have to look at Virgil van Dijk who is nearly 34, a player like Dean Huijsen would’ve been perfect because you know you can throw him in. 

“It's important to have positions covered, you look at the centre forward position with Darwin Nunez potentially leaving, Diogo Jota having a lot of injuries, Luis Diaz not being prolific enough, the team has relied on Mohamed Salah since Sadio Mane left. 

“I think the centre forward position is the position. There is talk about Liam Delap about Alexander Isak, Serhou Guirassy has scored a hat full of goals for Borussia Dortmund, I’d be surprised if Liverpool didn’t sign a forward.” 

Q: Which striker across Europe should be the priority at Liverpool? 

DH: “I think Liverpool need a big, powerful centre forward. I think it always helps to have a presence up front, maybe even more so for Arsenal because Liverpool do have a powerful team. 

“I think Serhou Guirassy was tailor made for Arsenal last season, he went on to score 13 goals in the Champions League, 21 in the Bundesliga. 

“He plays for a club that creates lots of chances like Arsenal and Liverpool do, I could see him scoring 25 goals in the Premier League for either club next season. 

“If you don’t convert chances then the hard work is all for nothing and that has been Arsenal's Achilles heel. Liverpool got away with it because they share the goals around and have many players who can score a goal, which Arsenal don’t. 

“So Serhou Guirassy at Borussia Dortmund, I think he is tailor-made for both of them.”

Q: How would Adam Wharton fit in at Liverpool? 

DH: “Adam Wharton reads the game and understands the game. If you understand the game, I think it's half the battle in their position. 

“Obviously, he's a good passer of the ball, he's got a great knowledge of what's going on around him. I like him as well as a player, he's a brilliant player. 

“It was Liverpool's Achilles' for a number of years, obviously with Ryan Gravenberch, they brought a player for that position and it looks really well with Alexis Mac Allister next to him. 

“I’m not sure what will happen to Rodri at Manchester City so maybe Wharton will be an option there, he will be on the radar of a lot of big teams. 

“After the goalkeeper, that position is probably the most important position in the modern game, you need stability but someone who can give freedom to the forward, he is a smart player.

“When it comes to Liverpool, I can’t see it at the moment with Gravenberch there.”

Q: Is Harry Kane’s future secured at Bayern Munich? 

DH: “Harry Kane has two years left on his contract and seems to be very happy. He scored the most goals last season and did the same this season. He has his trophy now but will be disappointed about the Champions League. 

“He is very settled. We had a bit of a celebration again at the town hall, and he seemed really settled and happy, and he was holding on to that trophy like it was his own to keep. 

“Rightly so, I think he’ll stay in Munich and stay scoring goals with a big team, the club will strengthen potentially with Florian Wirtz and new centre backs coming in. 

“They will be even better and bigger contenders for the Champions League next season which is the next step for Kane, he’s happy here and that will be his target.” 

Q: Should Manchester United go all out for Harry Kane? 

DH: “People say the Bundesliga isn’t as strong as the Premier League and Bayern Munich are superior to the other teams, but he is playing for a good team that is creating chances and it helps him be the best finisher around. 

“I think he’ll still be around that in five years time, whether he has the legs to get into the positions remains to be seen, but the next one or two seasons he will be for sure. 

“Manchester United will only start making offers after the Europa League final because if they don’t get into the Champions League there is no way they can attract a player like Harry Kane. 

“It’s a huge game when it comes to transfer targets, it would change the whole season for either United or Spurs, I think it’s the most intriguing Europa League final for a number of years. 

“The only way United might attract Kane is by getting into the Champions League and spending three hundred million on a lot of top players in the summer, otherwise I can’t see it.” 

Q: How many more league titles will Liverpool win before Manchester United win another one? 

DH: “I’d be very surprised if United won the title in the next five years at least, so it’s about how many Liverpool can get ahead of them in that time. 

“They have a calm manager. I like everything about him and how he goes about his business. They won the title without signing a player and if they bring in two or three this year then they will be even stronger.

“Arsenal, we don't know whether they're capable of winning the Premier League, Manchester City might come back again but Pep Guardiola won’t be around forever. 

“Newcastle are maybe the most likely from the rest to mount a challenge, we don’t know about Chelsea. I think Liverpool could be five titles ahead before United win their next one, it was once the other away round, now Liverpool fans can enjoy it.” 

Q: Will there be too much pressure on Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid? 

DH: “There is a danger about Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid, I say that because a lot of things have happened at the club both on the pitch and also off the pitch that I didn’t like. 

“In the last few years, Real Madrid have bought the best players and asked the manager to get the best out of them. Alonso has a different approach to playing football and he wants a functioning team. 

“In the past, even last season when they won the Champions League, I think they won it because they've got so much individual quality and somehow Carlo Ancelotti managed to get it into a system that worked. 

“They rode their luck as well. We shouldn't forget that in the last two or three seasons, they turned a lot of games around, scored a lot of late goals. 

“Alonso's got a different approach. He wants to play football. Everybody and everything has to fit into that system and it'll be interesting to see what's going to happen because they've got some big names in that squad. 

“Obviously Rodrygo might be the first one to go. Jude Bellingham is a big character, Kylian Mbappe scored an awful lot of goals, but obviously they fell short in the Champions League. 

“It'll be interesting to see what he does because I think he will build a team from the back with a solid defense, where he's got influential midfield players who really decide the pace of the game. It's not all about the forwards. 

“It'll be hugely interesting what's going to happen in terms of players they will buy and sell, with their big stars no one can afford to buy them, so they all have to fit into the team somehow.” 

Q: Could we see Callum Wilson join Wrexham on a free transfer this summer? 

DH: “Callum Wilson would absolutely be a great signing for Wrexham. Newcastle will probably improve their squad for next season and it will be even harder to get game time. 

“For Wrexham, if they want to get promoted into the Premier League they will probably need to have a Premier League level squad given the quality of the teams at the top of the Championship.

“So they will be looking at Premier League players and we’ve seen teams do back to back promotions from League One to the Premier League in recent years, Wrexham could be a similar story. 

“A player like Callum Wilson with that experience, he will be able to keep the level up in the Championship and teach the young lads, I could see that signing be a success.” 

Q: How will Steven Gerrard get on if he returns to Rangers? 

DH: “When players go back to a club where they've been successful, very rarely are they as successful as it was before because the expectations are so high. 

“Now with managers, it might be a bit different because we've seen managers go back to clubs and be successful. I think that he’d give the blue half of the city a big boost. 

“Steven Gerrard gave them some brilliant times and had some fantastic seasons at Ibrox. Even though he's out of a job at the moment, he’s living in the Middle East and is very settled, it’ll be a big decision to come back and bring his family back here. 

“He's only young, he's only in his 44, so I can't see him not taking up another job soon because he's done well at Rangers. It wasn't the easiest at Aston Villa, but I think we see him back in management and it would be a great way back for him. 

“I think it would be a win-win situation for both parties. I'd be happy if it happens.”

Q: Could we see Thomas Muller in England? Or maybe at Wrexham? 

DH: “Thomas Muller is 35 now and his game time was very limited in the last few weeks. But he came on against Inter in the quarters, scored a goal, so he still knows where the goal is. 

“He's got a few offers and clubs that he thinks are outside the box, he said he had offers where he thought that's a bit ambitious, but that he liked them. Moving to England though at this age won’t be an option, so I can’t see him at Wrexham. 

The most likely destination is probably the MLS. They've got a partner club with LAFC, Bayern Munich and the way he is talking I think he is going to carry on playing.” 

Q: Should Darwin Nunez snub Serie A for the Bundesliga? 

DH: “The Italians haven't been the biggest spenders because financially I think the situation is probably not as rosy as it is in Germany or England. I think a lot will depend on how much they can pay. 

“I think if Darwin Nunez goes to Lazio, it’ll probably be a loan with an option to buy. Obviously with Borussia Dortmund, a lot depends on Serhou Guirassy because I think there'll be a lot of clubs interested.

“Guirassy made a step from Stuttgart to Dortmund. I think he's 29 now, so it's probably the last chance for him to maybe do something else. 

“Obviously, Dortmund will be reluctant to sell him, but a lot will depend on what players do before Nunez can decide what he does. I think he just needs to go somewhere now where he plays and scores goals, because it's been a bit of a disappointment. 

“I think he's got all the attributes to be a top class player in Europe, he just needs his confidence back. If Guirassy leaves Dortmund, it could be a perfect fit.” 

Q: Is Darwin Nunez the biggest transfer mistake in Liverpool’s history? 

DH: “Is Darwin Nunez the biggest transfer mistake in Liverpool’s history? Maybe, it’s just part of the game. When you bring players in, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. 

“People probably thought, myself included, if you bring somebody in for £85million, it guarantees you goals, but looking back it wasn’t money well spent. 

“Now you need to see how much you recoup. Maybe one of the Saudi clubs comes and you get your money back. The other thing is, we shouldn't forget that he's been part of a title winning side. He played his part as much as everybody else. 

“He was part of the team. He contributed maybe not as much as others, but sometimes it's easier to swallow when you bring a player in like him, when the team is still successful regardless. 

“I think it's a very good sign for the state Liverpool is in at the moment to bring in a forward in for a lot of money and he doesn’t score many goals, but you’re still winning.” 

Q: Would Lyon’s Rayan Cherki fit in at Liverpool? 

DH: “Liverpool have been linked to Rayan Cherki, but the Premier League might be a bit too quick because he's a technical player. 

“Borussia Dortmund were very interested but they couldn't get it done. I think Dortmund are the front runner in the race for Cherki and I think that the Bundesliga probably suits him a little bit better than the Premier League because he's got a bit more time. 

“It might be a good step for him to come here, maybe then move on in a couple of years.”

Q: Could Jadon Sancho be a big summer signing for RB Leipzig? 

DH: “I'm surprised that Jadon Sancho isn’t going back to Borussia Dortmund, he did so well there alongside Ian Maatsen last season who can’t get a game at Aston Villa. 

“Sancho and Maatsen when they got to the Champions League final, Sancho has been linked to RB Leipzig, but they missed out on Europe altogether now, they're not even playing in the Conference League.

“That is a blow because they are hosting the Conference League final next season, they haven't got a manager either. 

“We don’t know what’s going to happen there this summer because Xavi Simons wants to go, Benjamin Sesko probably wants to go, Lois Openda might want to go. 

“Sancho committing to Leipzig now would be daft because you don't know who will be there, who the manager will be.” 

Q: Is Marcus Rashford optimistic to be keen on a move to Barcelona? 

DH: “Marcus Rashford has been playing and scoring goals and showing glimpses of what he's capable of. Barcelona are obviously in a financial situation, you hear about players who can't be registered because the wage bill is too high. 

“He's a hugely talented player, I don't think there's any doubt about it. Hansi Flick has shown that he can rejuvenate careers. He's been very successful in Munich, now he's doing wonderful things at Barcelona in winning the cup and the league. 

“Obviously he gave us that epic game against Inter in the semis, if they were to show an interest, I think it wouldn't be the worst option for him.” 

Q: Is this the worst Europa League final we’ve ever seen? 

DH: “You have two big teams in the final, it’s unbelievable that they are sitting in 16th and 17th in the Premier League. 

“They are in the last safe places before the relegation zone, but I wouldn’t say it’s the worst Europa League final ever, that would be harsh. 

“They both had high hopes for their managers and I like Ange Postecoglou, I think he is getting less thick skinned as time goes on because he gets a lot of stick. 

“With Amorim, I thought he's a man who's going to turn them around and he has failed. Having said that, you can probably save the season with one game. 

“Whether the managers will still be there remains to be seen, even if they do win. There is talk that Postecoglou will leave whatever happens, it’s just a huge game. 

“In the last few seasons both sides have been really poor and I feel for the fans, given how successful Manchester United used to be in particular.” 

Q: Could Ruben Amorim walk away from Manchester United this summer? 

DH: “Walking out on Manchester United would mean Ruben Amorim forfeits three years of wages and I don’t think we will see a manager do that.

“If they want to get rid of them, they're probably going to sack him. The thing is you go there, you've got ideas, and things have to work pretty quick because then people believe you, people follow you. 

“Now, if you get beat every week, sometimes you run out of things to say because you can't say to the lads: “Listen lads, was a one-off, we're on the right path.” And you get beat again, what are you gonna say? 

“If it happens five or six times, sometimes you just run out of things to say. I think that's the stage where it is now. They’ve got a chance to save the season. 

“You've got to say that in the Europa League, even though they've been very lucky at times, they have been good overall. 

“The opposition probably hasn't been as strong as it would be in the Premier League or in the Champions League. But he’s got a chance to save the season. 

“What both clubs need is a spark. There needs to be a sense of, this is the beginning of something. That would give them a huge boost going into next season.” 

Q: What is your prediction for the Europa League final? 

DH: “I make Manchester United favourites and I expect them to win. Having said that, anything can happen in a one off game and there could be an early goal or a sending off that changes things. 

“We don’t know what is going to happen because there are two unstable teams in this final, but out of the two I’d say Spurs are the most unstable.” 

Q: What is your prediction for the Champions League final? 

DH: “I don't think Inter can live with PSG. The defence is their strength, but they conceded six goals and probably could have conceded 10 against Barcelona. 

“They've got a very good forward line, Barcelona, we shouldn't forget, but at the same time, I don't think PSG’s forward line is any worse. If you look at the tournament, obviously PSG knocked Liverpool out, the favourites at the time. 

“It's a complete team and I think it's probably the only one. They've got a very good keeper who hasn't been doing too well the last couple of seasons but he's been brilliant this year. 

“They've got a very good defense, they're brilliant in midfield and they've probably got the best attacking line with these quick players. So I think they're the complete package. 

“With Inter, it's an old team and I think there's always times in games in which you see their age and that's when they concede goals.

“If they conceded two quick goals against PSG, it'll be game over because I can't see them scoring more than once. I just don't think anyone could live with PSG this season. 

“I’d be pleased for the likes of Matteo Darmian and Francesco Acerbi because they probably won't get another chance to win one – but PSG are too strong.” 

Q: Could Chelsea end up having a terrible season? 

DH: “Even if Chelsea win the Conference League final, it's obviously not the competition they want to be in and doesn’t get you into the competition you want to be in. 

“It's still a trophy, but obviously finishing in the top five is more important. That would be a huge blow for obviously the players that have been brought in, because it looked as though Enzo Maresca had steadied their ship a little bit. 

“But it tailed off pretty quickly and it could end up being a really terrible season. To think that Chelsea end up sixth and United or Spurs get into the Champions League would be even a bigger blow because you've got six teams next season and if you know one of them.” 

Q: What has gone wrong for Christopher Nkunku at Chelsea? 

DH: “You've got to feel for Christopher Nkunku because picked up a bad injury, he did his ligament when he came to Chelsea. 

“Obviously he's a brilliant player. That's why he's been at the top level for some time. Injury can obviously play a part because he was just full of confidence before that. 

“I think he tried things which he never really thought they're not going to come off and confidence is a big thing. 

“With Nkunku, if the knee doesn't bother him, and obviously you've got to do a medical when you come to a club, I think he's a player who can really go places if he goes somewhere else. 

“If he went to a club where he was the main man then he could score 25 goals a season. I think he could go places because he's a fantastic player. 

“From what I've seen in the Bundesliga the last few seasons, I've rarely seen a player that excited me more than him. It's a shame it hasn't worked out, as I said. The injury didn't help. 

“It'll be interesting to see what's going to happen because I think he's a fantastic player if you handle him the right way.” 

Q: How special would it be to see Cristiano Ronaldo playing in Brazil? 

DH: “It wouldn’t be surprising to see Cristiano Ronaldo trying a new challenge and playing in Brazil, he is in his 40s but he is still scoring goals.

“The Brazilian league is quite a physical one. I don't think it's an easy league to play in. But obviously to see him in the Club World Cup would be brilliant. I'm all for it. 

“Obviously that would mean he's got to leave Saudi for good and he seems to be very happy there because he's the face of that league and he seems committed. 

“But I'd be happy to see him in the Club World Cup.” 

Q: Which Brazil players do you have the best memories of playing alongside? 

DH: “Two Brazilian team-mates stand out, Giovane Elber who had to compete with Romario and Ronaldo, he was a brilliant player. 

“He was a brilliant player and a great guy as well. He scored a lot of goals and was a brilliant team player. He liked to set up goals, probably as much as scoring them. 

“A brilliant guy off the pitch as well, a lot of fun. The other one I played with at Manchester City was Elano who came from Shakhtar. 

“People didn't really hear an awful lot about him, but what a player he was. He was absolutely fantastic. 

“I saw a lot of players at the age of 17 and 18, Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard. I saw their development into top players, but Elano was a player we didn’t know much about and he was just fantastic. 

“Sven-Goran Eriksson was the manager and we went top of the league for a part, Elano played a big role in that.” 

Q: Is the Club World Cup a huge chance for Brazil players to shine? 

DH: “The Club World Cup is a huge chance for Brazil players to shine, 100%. In the past when it was only six or eight teams the Europeans dominated, but now they have a great opportunity with five teams qualified. 

“The climate will help them because it will be very hot in most places, I'm very intrigued. 

“I'm very interested because we don't see an awful lot of Brazilian football. Most of their international players are based in Europe so it will be great to see these teams we don’t often see. Seeing them play against European teams will be brilliant.” 

Q: Can Carlo Ancelotti get Brazil back on top of the world? 

DH: “It won't be easy for Brazil to win the World Cup again, but if anyone can, it's probably Carlo Ancelotti. With a national team you have to create an atmosphere where people are happy going there because there are times in national teams where players pull out and see it as a chance to rest.

“For Ancelotti, he will now know that he can’t buy a player to help out his team, he will have to find out his best players and use what he has in order to find success. 

“20 years ago, Brazil always had one of the best teams and one of the best squads. I think since probably 2002, when we lost to them, in every tournament there were probably three or four squads better equipped than Brazil was. 

“But there is an awful lot of talent coming through, look at Endrick with Real Madrid. The task is so hard with just 13 months before the World Cup, but it’s always better with a strong Brazil team and Carlo can do that.” 

Q: What is special about Mexico players? 

DH: “You see the fire in the way that Mexicans and the Brazilians play football, they play a different way and in a more technical game. That's why it'll be brilliant to see all these games coming up against each other in the Club World Cup. 

“The Mexicans, we played against them in 1998 and we were very fortunate. They're a very good team. Obviously, we don't really see much of the Mexican league, but again, this is why it's so great because we see these teams now. 

“If they do well, maybe we will watch the odd Mexican or Brazilian game next season because we had the chance to watch them in this tournament. 

“They have always had good talent, they are very hard to play against the Mexicans and always have one or two standout players. Hopefully we see one this summer. 

“When Mexico play at a World Cup, I think they are a must watch because there's always something going on.”