MERSEYSIDE DERBY WEEKEND

Hail GFOP! 

I write with fingers stuffed to the gills after facing up to every piece of meat the city of Chicago has to offer like Erling Haaland treated the Nottingham Forest defense. It was some 36 hours: Pequod Pizza, Al’s Italian Beef, Jim’s Polish, Lou Mitchell’s omelet, Billy Goat cheezborgers, Manny’s Pastrami, Comiskey Park dogs all found a way into my belly. It was my youngest son Oz’s first time in that most magical city and we lived out H.L. Mencken's famous quote, "I give you Chicago. It is not London and Harvard. It is not Paris and buttermilk. It is American in every chitling and sparerib. It is alive from snout to tail." Lord, I adore that magical kingdom, and was particularly moved on this trip by the number of Premier League fans we encountered. What a footballing culture simmers in that city. “Yes, Chef!”

It was in Chicago I had to witness my heart face up to my head. Everton playing Leeds was one of the most agonizing games I have witnessed. Like watching Mum and Dad fight for 90 minutes. We returned in time to witness the Transfer Window slam shut™ last night. It was Caligula-esque by the Premier League, which broke its season record within just one window, splurging $2.2 billion. Two American owners led the way. Todd Boehly’s Chelsea spunked a club-record of nearly $350M, with the Glazers burning over $240M at United. The other big leagues in Europe can only look on and weep. In this newsletter, I will catch you up on all the big moves, and that feast of a Premier League schedule that lies ahead, which looks very much like the Football-Version of my Chicago meat-bender. Best and Worst of the Window.

One Important Note: GFOPs. You. Are. Incredible. This week, we officially received news that we'd sold out of signed copies of our new book, "Gods of Soccer," at that jewel box of an indie bookstore, Elliot Bay in Seattle. We cannot thank you enough for the waves of support around Gods of Soccer. There is still time left to pre-order Signed Copy from the historic Strand, and if you do, you'll receive EXCLUSIVE THANK YOUS including a limited edition print from the book and an incredible newly-designed Blazer Patch. 

All pre-orders will receive an invite to join us at our virtual book launch celebration event on October 11 at 8 p.m. ET as well as that exclusive MIB patch. To pre-order the book and register for the celebration event, visit meninblazers.com/godsofsoccer. 

2. To the Football

i. Everton vs. Liverpool (Saturday, 7.30 AM ET USA)

The Merseyside Derby as an early Saturday kick-off. No finer way to Darken the Door of my Holiday Weekend, almost before it has begun. Everton have not won this fixture at home for almost 12 years. Lampard may have held onto the Ginger finery of Anthony Gordon, but the Blues are winless in their worst start to a season in more than a decade, and face a resurgent Liverpool who pumped nine goals past Bournemouth then Klopped a 98th-minute winner to come from behind against Time-Wasting’s Newcastle. I don’t know about you, but this one does not feel so good. Everton can hand new striker/Shithousing Black Belt Neal Maupay a debut who should be better than Solomon Rondon by virtue of having a pulse. I am still haunted by the sight of Klopp in the aftermath of clipping the Toon. Charging towards his adoring Kop. The six fist pumps he unleashed suggests he knows that moment was a turning point in his season. Three points on Saturday, crack the Top Four, and you build from there. 

​​🍺 Derby beers are the scariest and most necessary beers. Order Budweiser via Drizly and get $5 off your first order when you use the code: BUDXMIB Courtesy of Drizly. New Drizly users only. Must be 21+. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Per applicable law, value may be applied towards order total or shipping or delivery fees. Includes orders of non-alcoholic items. Void where prohibited. Expires on 12/31/22 at 11:59 EDT. 🍺

ii. Chelsea vs. West Ham (Saturday 10 AM ET P’Cock)

Fresh-off splurging approximately $350M on incoming bodies and Todd Boehly-photo opps, Chelsea need “to toughen-up,” according to Thomas Tuchel. The absences of Reece James and N’Golo Kanté have made them look both flimsy and blunt. David Moyes will organize, scheme and probe, doing his damndest to make this ordeal of a London Derby feel more like a cavity check.

Yes. Christian Pulisic has stayed at Chelsea post-transfer window. Here are my thoughts on that odd, pathos-tinged limbo. 

iii. Tottenham vs. Fulham (Saturday 10 AM ET, P’Cock)

Come for the Richarlison Shithousery, stick around for the Mitro Dunks. With Sonny exhausted, Conte may unleash Richy from the go, and giving the recent-tattoo addict a full 90 minutes in which to get sent off. He don’t want that Tim Ream Smoke. 

iv. Brentford vs. Leeds United 🇺🇸 (Saturday 10 AM ET USA)

A proxy battle between Denmark and the United States of America. Two teams that have relished in proving the naysayers wrong, playing football with committed zeal and high hopes. Jesse Marsch will be without four-goal striker Rodrigo whose shoulder popped out midweek, but the Racine Rockabilly will carry on regardless, continuing his singular crusade to qualify for Europe and be struck off every opposing manager’s Christmas card list in the process.  

Great piece on Jesse Marsch and how he was once perceived to talk too much. But no longer. 

v. Aston Villa vs. Manchester City (Saturday, 12.30 PM ET, NBC)

How quickly will Haaland rack up a hattrick against Mings and Konsa? The Nordic Meat Shield has scored more goals than 15 entire Premier League squads this season. Pray for Steven Gerrard. His players will appear like Anglo-Saxon peasants being squashed underfoot by a rampaging, hungry giant as he plows through their smoldering village in search of gold. 

vi. Manchester United vs. Arsenal (Sunday 11.30 AM ET, USA)

Arsenal are as perfect as Arteta’s magnificent hair helmet having won all five opening League games in the first tier for the fourth time in their history. They face United who have benched Ron Ron and performed a capsize recovery on their season. Pragmatic winners of three straight, albeit by just one goal each time, they may unleash new hotstuff Antony and have him start paying off the $100m fee.

American Note: Ramsdale will be assessed before kick-off. Could this be Matt Turner’s debut?

MORE: Anthony. United’s 100 million man who grew up in Sao Paolo’s Little Hell.

MORE: Entire Premier League Television Schedule HERE

3. Men in Blazers. Can't Stop. Won't Stop. No matter how nicely you ask. 

i. On Monday's Men in Blazers Podcast Rog and Davo marvel at Manchester City's four-goal, second-half, Erling Haaland-inspired comeback against Crystal Palace. Liverpool score nine in the Great Cherry Massacre of '22. And, Everton... well... we talk about them, too.

ii. Tuesday, it was the season premiere of European Nights, Presented by Paramount+ with The New York Times Chief Soccer Correspondent Rory Smith. We are so bloody proud of this series. And the gents kicked off season two by analyzing what Casemiro's loss means for Real Madrid, if it's possible to have a Cinderella story in modern football, and, naturally, the best Vietnamese food in Rotterdam. We're back with another episode next week to celebrate Match Week One of the Champions League Group Stage. Inject it into my eyeballs. 

And there are some seismic games the first two matchdays, including PSG vs. Juventus (Messi vs. McKennie, as it's known worldover) Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, Chelsea and, yes, Christian Pulisic, are in action at Dinamo Zagreb Tuesday at 12:45 p.m. ET and Manchester City travel to Seville (bucket list away day) at 3 p.m. ET. Wednesday, Napoli host Liverpool. Spurs take on Marseille. Not to mention, Bayern Munich vs. Inter Milan. All of those go down at 3 p.m. ET. And where can you watch every Champions League match live? Exclusively on Paramount+! Try ONE Month Free HERE with Promo Code ITALY. YOU CAN WATCH ALL OF THE ABOVE. FREE. 

iii. Wednesday, we released a special MiB YouTube exclusive. Rog sitting down with Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. Rog talk with Rambo about Matt Turner's "Tigger Energy," Arsenal's hot start to the season, and which Arsenal striker cost him an assist this season. WATCH HERE

iv. A very special episode of The Women's Game, Presented by Paramount+ this week as Portland Thorns phenom Sophia Smith joined Rog to talk the emotional experience of being called into USWNT camp while still in high school and the Golden Boot race with Alex Morgan. LISTEN HERE. And talking Alex Morgan... she joins us on the Pod next week. Roll on next Thursday. 

v. Today, at high noon, it's the culmination of a special Pod series here at MiB. We will drop the third and final installment of "MiB x Todd Snyder: Conversations on Creativity." The series features Rog sitting down with Iowa-born fashion designer to talk style, leadership and collaboration. It's a series that's as much about life and relationships as it is about clothing. Listen to Episode 1 "On Style" and Episode 2 "On Leadership". 

4. More Football, Did Ya Say?

i. Milan Derby Saturday 12.00 PM ET on Paramount+

Milan’s new American owner Gerry Cardinale of RedBird Capital will be in attendance. He has spent $1.2B to buy the Italian Champions with Lebron James and Drake as part of the partnership group. Inter will lack Big Rom out with thigh knock. 

More: Welcome to Milan, Sergino Dest. Good to see the Dutch-American get himself out of the doghouse at Barcelona. He will be higher up at Milan, simply by being on that depth chart. May he thrive. 

🇮🇹 Sunday Gravy. Saturday Football. This Sabato, there is a massive Serie A triple header on Paramount+. It kicks off with Fiorentina vs. Juventus at 9 a.m. ET. Then, one of the world's most historic football rivalries: The Milan Derby. Defending champs AC Milan take on Inter at Noon ET. And to wrap it all up like a tiny piece of thread on that box of beautiful Panettone, Lazio vs. Napoli. Top of the table rumble. 2:45 p.m. ET. Watch all three games on Paramount+ Try Paramount+ free with Promo Code ITALY. Take care, brush ya hair. 🇮🇹

5. Men in Blazers Merch, Did Ya Say? 🇺🇸

We're celebrating the long weekend with a sale on the MIB Shop. Twenty-percent off our American States United collection through Monday night. No code necessary. Discount applied to ASU items at checkout. Shop Now

6. Not Football and All the Better For It

i. LeBron James Wants to Play With His Sons, Bronny and Bryce. Got a Problem With That? Also Matt Turner's dream. For real. He told me.  Listen to him talk about it HERE. 

ii. Inside the Lucrative World of Pet Influencers. Martin Scorsese, I have an offer you can't refuse.

iii. Kirkland’s 1982 Little League World Series winners became famous at 12. Forty years later, here is what they learned. 

iv. From bleeding gums to bad breath, here’s how sleep deprivation affects your teeth. Not You, Bobby Firmino. 

v. A pizza topping that divides the world. I have never understood why anyone would order anything but anchovies. 

vi. Why friendship is different than any other relationship we have. “I have my books, and my poetry to protect me.” 

vii. Seal breaks into New Zealand home, traumatizes cat and hangs out on a couch. I know. I hoped it was the “Kiss from a Rose” dude too. 

viii. Why Doesn’t America Build Things?  Hard to follow-up Horse with No Name. 

ix. The False Comfort of the ’80s Suburban Lawn. Bite your arm off for False Comfort.

x. Foreign Candy Puts American Candy to Shame. This issue has always perplexed me tbh. How are we so bad at the easy stuff?

xi. Building a Better Restaurant Bathroom. World would be a better place if we turned Pep Guardiola’s mind to this kind of challenge

xii. How a Younger Generation Learned to Love Old-Money Aesthetics. My contribution to this reclamation was playing a lot of croquet last weekend 

xiii.One Last Dance with Plastic Bags. I just got hold of an amazing book of Record Store bags and love this idea of plastic bags as Art.

xiv. A BRILLIANT BOOK: Rory Smith, my incredible European Nights Partner has a new book out: "Expected Goals," about how data (quietly) conquered and then transformed football. And the people who were behind that revolution. Rory is a truly incredible writer, a natural storyteller and just a wonderful human being. If you want to deepen your understanding of the way numbers transformed football, à la Moneyball, we urge you to read this book. Brad Pitt can play Billy Beane in the "Expected Goals" movie. ORDER RORY'S BOOK HERE.

xv. I love this Song: Buffet by Ainsley Farrell

That is it for today. Pray for me this weekend. I want to end by paying tribute and sending thanks to an Incredible GFOP who has stepped up to find unique ways to support Football, grow his surging business and support MiB in the process. Eagle-eared listeners know we are elated to have partnered with Omega Accounting Solutions, the Irvine-based firm that empowers small businesses to make informed business decisions. Jay Woods, founder and CEO came to Men In Blazers with an offer to partner because of his love of the podcast and football in general. When we met him, we were blown away. An entrepreneur who grew up with football as his first love, inspired by the astonishingly ferocious Clint Dempsey whose play deepened the depth of his connection to Fulham. As his company has grown, the love for football has not dimmed. Jay jumped at the chance to sponsor his local USL Team Orange County Soccer Club and as the company grew globally, so did the creative football partnerships. Incredibly, Jay fell in love with North London National League Boreham Wood during their magnificent run to the 5th round of the FA Cup last season and he is now sponsoring a stand in their stadium. We love the depth of the connection between Jay Woods and the game we love, and the idiosyncratic way he has expressed it, including his support of Men In Blazers which enables us to bring more of our Crap to your inbox. We are also so bloody grateful. Support Omega when you can GFOPs.    

Let’s Make Great Memories through Football

Big Love

Courage

ROG