Manchester United new boy Matheus Cunha will outshine Liverpool’s record-breaking transfer Florian Wirtz in the Premier League next season, Ian Ladyman has claimed on the latest episode of the Mail’s Whistleblowers podcast.
Discussing which of the new creative players joining top clubs – Ryan Cherki, Matheus Cunha and Florian Wirtz – will make the biggest impact, the Mail’s Football Editor opted for the Brazilian due to his vast Premier League experience.
Matheus Cunha, 26, joined the Red Devils for £62.5 million, £53.5 million less than Liverpool paid for Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz, 22.
Whistleblowers is the Mail’s brand-new football podcast hosted by Ladyman, Mark Clattenburg and broadcaster Gordon Smart.
‘Cunha is the only one with any Premier League experience’, Ladyman told the podcast.
‘It should be easier for him to hit the ground running, even though he’s playing for a poor Manchester United side.
‘I think Wirtz is going to find the first two or so months difficult. He’s going to be kicked a little bit.
‘He’s going to be put under pressure on the ball in a way that he’s not used to in the Bundesliga.
‘It’s a quicker type of football in the Premier League – it’s going to be harder for him.’
Cunha scored 15 goals and provided 6 assists in 33 Premier League appearances for Wolves during the 2024-25 season.
Former referee Mark Clattenburg disagreed with his co-host, arguing that the reduced pressure on Wirtz as a ‘flair player’ at an already established side will help his form.
He also rejected Ladyman’s argument that the Premier League is much more physical, drawing from his decades of experience refereeing in the division.
Clattenburg said: ‘Wirtz, I would definitely say, will have the biggest impact. He’s exciting on the eye and is going into a good team.
‘If you’re going to come to England from any other European league, then Germany is very similar.
‘When I refereed German teams, they’re very physical and strong. Wirtz would have been kicked in the Bundesliga as well. Any player that comes from the Bundesliga can quickly adapt.
‘Also, modern referees protect these types of skilful players more than they used to.’
Putting the cat amongst the pigeons, Gordon Smart backed Cherki to take the league by storm.
Coming from Lyon with a reputation as a mazey dribbler, Manchester City secured the 21-year-old French international for a meagre £34 million.
Cherki scored 8 goals and provided 11 assists in 30 Ligue 1 appearances during the 2024-25 season.
‘I think Cherki is going to do brilliantly’, Gordon said.
‘Watching him in the Club World Cup, there’s just something about him.’
To listen to full debate and hear the hosts argue over who is the biggest ego in football, search for Whistleblowers now, wherever you get your podcasts.
