Mark Goldbridge vs Premier League legends, boxing champion vs Adebayo Akinfenwa – and Alan Brazil in charge! The talkSPORT Trophy is here

Can Alan Brazil manage a football team better than his own time?

Will social media star Mark Goldbridge be able to keep the Premier League 100 Club’s Darren Bent quiet?

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And how will 5ft 3ins super bantamweight champion Spencer Oliver cope with 220lbs Adebayo Akinfenwa?

These are just some of the questions that will be answered when the talkSPORT Breakfast team take on a talkSPORT All-Stars XI on Friday at 2pm live on YouTube with commentary on Hawksbee and Jacobs.

All-Stars manager Adrian Durham has seen it all at talkSPORT Towers – and he admits this means everything.

Durham said: “This game will go down as a major moment in the rich history of talkSPORT and I’m proud to be in charge of the talkSPORT All-Stars.

“Alan Brazil and I have both been at talkSPORT from the very start, so there’s no doubt this game will be competitive. He will have his Breakfast team fired up for sure, but the All-Stars quality will shine through. I can’t wait to get on that touchline.”

An intense and frosty build-up has been littered with controversy.

The Breakfast team are suddenly without talismanic captain Gabby Agbonlahor.

The Aston Villa legend is thought to be on his way to Saudi Arabia after receiving a lucrative offer to turn his back on Breakfast. Mercenary.

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Doubts have been raised about Brazil and assistant manager Ray Parlour’s influence on the culture, while there are even concerns over whether the iconic Scotsman will show up to the event.

Presenters, commentators, journalists, and even news readers, have been called upon at the last minute, which is usually when Brazil turns up for work.

But Wales legend Dean Saunders, who scored 161 goals at the top level, suggests the big man has a revolutionary philosophy up his sleeve.

Captain Saunders said: “I’m proud to be wearing the captain’s armband for the first time, and I can tell you that after speaking to the boss, we will be playing Brazil-ball.”

With Akinfenwa up front and the electrifying pace of 59-year-old Saunders running off the big man, we expect the Breakfast team to be a throwback to simpler times.

Speaking in April, Brazil told the nation: “I’m just sick and tired of people telling me that playing out from the back works.

“One in 20 might work. What a joke!”

Eat your heart out, Sam Allardyce. Brazil’s side will be playing four, four, f****** two. Or whatever the five-a-side equivalent is.

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In truth, it appears the Breakfast team are relying heavily on a moment of magic from recent England star Lianne Sanderson.

But what about the All-Stars? Can we expect something more cultured from a team including ex-Arsenal and Liverpool star Jermaine Pennant?

Assistant manager Phil Brown has been brought in to control his troublesome ex-Hull midfielder Jimmy Bullard, while the acquisitions of former Premier League stars Anton Ferdinand and Darren Ambrose surely make them favourites.

However, Alex Crook and Charlie Baker will be forced to overcome inevitable taunts of ‘Who Are Ya’ from the crowd.

Meanwhile, ex-boxer Oliver loves a scrap and there are fears Rory Jennings could lose his head if reminded about Chelsea’s 2022/23 season.

This could get tasty. And luckily for you, the whole thing will be live on YouTube.

Paul Hawksbee and Andy Jacobs will broadcast the event on air and on YouTube, with build up from 1pm on Friday, commentary throughout and – of course – post-match reaction.

The After Party will be live on Drivetime from 4pm with Darren Bent and Darren Ambrose.

And if that’s not enough to get you in the mood, how about this overly-dramatic trailer?

Click below, turn the notification on, and watch the madness unfold!

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