The Spotlight: An Ode to Diego, Chelsea to Conte, Manchester & Malen

There was only one place we could start today - in tribute to a genuine legend in this game we love. An icon. A behemoth. The one and only Diego Armando Marandona. There will, simply put, never be another like him and the football world is a darker place without his presence. That said, he was a football man until his last breath, and the game, beset as it is by grief, must go on. The Champions League provided some inspiration of its own this week, as we take a quick flash through Europe's finest, before heading on to the games you need to watch this weekend. Dean starts us off with Chelsea vs. Tottenham, bitter London rivals vying for the Capital's top berth and perhaps even more, in a game which has the subplot of Frank Lampard facing his old boss and friend, Jose Mourinho, who returns to the Bridge. Sam takes a look at Southampton vs. Manchester United, where high-flying Saints will look to continue their good start against a United side that still haven't quite worked out what they are. Jack finally takes us out of the Premier League to head to Italy, where Sassuolo, currently second, host Antonio Conte's Inter Milan, knocked unceremoniously out of Europe on Wednesday night by Real Madrid, and looking a shadow of the side they were last season. It's an intriguing match-up between a side who know exactly how they want to play against one very uncomfortable in their own skin at the moment, as well as being another chance to watch Sass. Finally, Sam takes us to Holland for this week's Scouting Spotlight, flicking the torchlight on PSV's Donyell Malen. The former Arsenal and Ajax man has returned from last season's injury woes in fine style, and is fronting the charge for his side in the Eredivisie. Still only 21, but already a leader in this side - sharing captaincy duties with Denzel Dumfries, there's so much to come from a player who has been quietly doing the business for some time in Eindhoven. It really is Ranks FC. If you've loved three episodes a week and want to join the squad permanently after this week's loan period, come and get involved on Patreon. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.