Mark Bowen | How City almost signed Messi, Palace WON the FA Cup & Europa League Final Combined XI!

Former Reading head of football operations Mark Bowen is our next special guest on the latest episode of No Tippy Tappy Football.

Mark Bowen sits down alongside Sam Allardyce and Natalie Pike to discuss all things football from the HUGE Europa League final to how close Manchester City were to signing Lionel Messi?

Mark and Sam talk about the recent FA Cup final, Dean Henderson's impressive performance, why it wasn't a shock that Crystal Palace won and the brilliance of their recent recruitment.

The two then discuss why most teams should be chasing Jean-Philippe Mateta this summer, how good can Michael Olise be and why Manchester United have a massive rebuild on their hands.

They then both chat about the pressure on Mikel Arteta to win silverware next season, what does the future hold for Kevin De Bruyne and just how close did Manchester City actually come to signing Lionel Messi and Gianluigi Buffon?

The duo then discuss the upcoming Europa League final, who they think will lift the trophy as well as give us their combined Manchester United and Tottenham XI.

Finally they end the podcast with quick fire questions including their favourite memories of Goodison Park, working with Craig Bellamy and will Charlie Savage be better than his dad Robbie?