Talking Tactics

In this episode of "Talking with..." Daniel sits down with Musa Okwonga of the Stadio Podcast. They discuss how Musa became a Manchester United supporter. How the club's future was altered by a horse. Why it's difficult for fans to protest. And the Erik ten Hag era. Musa shares about his grandfather managing the Uganda national team, and his assumed completion of an Acholi to English dictionary. T...

Daniel and Carl discuss Arsenal's encouraging win at Crystal Palace, and why Ghana need all the help they can get. Liverpool's unconvincing draw against Fulham. Do points early in the season weigh the same as points later in the season? Manchester City are working things out, but Erling Haaland is already terrifying. What is the point of Chelsea's football, and does Thomas Tuchel have any solution...

Daniel, Have Hope, and Carl discuss the England Women's National Team winning the country's first major tournament since 1966 after beating Germany 2-1. We talk about what the win means moving forward, whether society can be trusted to support women's football outside of national interest, or if that question is even relevant. In the second half we preview the 2022/23 season. The "will they won't...

Daniel is joined by Edoba and Abdullahi, two of the "hiatused" Complicated Chelsea Show's four members. In a Chelsea heavy show, the trio discuss pre-season troubles, transfer troubles, squad-building troubles, historical troubles, and troubles to come if these troubles aren't solved quickly and/or effectively. We also took some Chelsea-related questions, and touched briefly on Barcelona, and the...

Daniel and Have Hope are joined by friend of the pod Red to discuss what is happening with Cristiano Ronaldo. Does a move to Atletico Madrid make more sense than Sporting? Barcelona announced Robert Lewandowski: how are Barça having the best summer transfer window while being financially ruined? Chelsea signed Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly in the week, but Chelsea fans are more focused on...

Daniel and Carl discuss a Manchester City fan chasing Pep Guardiola on a bike, and what about celebrity and social media culture allows for these moments. Raheem Sterling is moving to Chelsea, and what that means for Raphinha, Ousmane Dembélé, and Barcelona. Paul Pogba to Juventus, Harry Maguire remains captain and one word on Cristiano Ronaldo. Michel Platini beat the feds. The Women's Euros and...

Have Hope and Daniel discuss where Cristiano Ronaldo should go if Manchester United sell him, and is he a good fit anywhere (you guys asked about the Chelsea links in particular). Paris Saint-Germain are hiring Christophe Galtier: Is he the one to win Champions League? Manchester City and Arsenal agreed on Gabriel Jesus, Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United to Man City is finished, with that done: Wh...

Daniel is joined by Dan Soff (of Touchline Fracas & Chessy Hour) to discuss how the transfer market is the best time in football's calendar. Chelsea loaning Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan. How the Chelsea board has been altered by new ownership. Todd Boehly's handling of player acquisition, and the knock-on effect for Thomas Tuchel. How does Dan feel about Raheem Sterling. But before all that: What'...

Have Hope and Daniel discuss how Chelsea's ownership group are shaping the board, and how it could affect Thomas Tuchel. Is Raheem Sterling enough to fix the Blues' attack? Have Hope has faith in Antonio Conte's Tottenham project. The guys wonder about Klopp's ability to hang without Sadio Mané, and with Darwin Núñez. For Mané, if Bayern Munich lose Robert Lewandowski is he enough to make the diff...

Daniel and Carl are joined by friend of the pod Red to discuss the future of Real Madrid and Eden Hazard. Ghana are having a transfer window. Who will manage Paris Saint-Germain next season? Erling Haaland to Manchester City is official. Darwin Nunez is set for Liverpool. Which striker is a better fit? And your questions on Barcelona, the World Cup, teams we like to see lose, and players we loved...

Talking Tactics discuss Robert Lewandowski's mission to leave Bayern Munich. Is Barcelona his destination, and if so does it work? We imagine if Barça's finances weren't ruined, and they could pair Ousmane Dembélé with Lewandowski. Romelu Lukaku is said to want an Inter Milan return. While it might make sense on the pitch, does it make sense off of it? We consider the amount of money Chelsea spent...

Talking Tactics discuss Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool. Should we have known this would happen? Who is the best goalkeeper in the world? Benzema didn't have a good game, but got his fifth medal. Vinicius is building his résumé. Kroos, Casemiro, and Modric: what more can be said? Madrid will be a problem for their rivals move forward. Did Liverpool have a successful season? Lewandowski to Barcelona. Ral...

Talking Tactics are joined by friend of the pod Red to discuss Kylian Mbappé remaining at Paris Saint-Germain. Red (as a Real Madrid supporter) has some problems with the way it went. What's next for Real Madrid, considering the time lost chasing Mbappé, and is his dream to play for Madrid over? The Champions League final is this week, what should we expect with Madrid v Liverpool? AC Milan return...

Talking Tactics discuss AC Milan closing in on their first Serie A title in ten years. Man City drawing 2-2 with West Ham, and if they've opened a door for Liverpool. The Reds beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final, the second piece in their pursuit of four trophies. It was Chelsea's fourth loss in six years, and third straight, in the FA Cup final. Should Kepa have played over Mendy (sorry for the leng...

Talking Tactics discuss Real Madrid beating Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final, setting up a rematch of 2018's final with Liverpool. Reports suggest Erling Haaland to Man City is all but announced, we wonder whether the Norwegian striker is the right player to win City their first Champions League. Would you give your biggest rival a guard of honour? Chelsea gave two Romelu Lukaku...

In this episode of "Talking with..." Daniel sits down with Amadi Thiam. They discuss Amadi growing up playing football around the world, and when it ended. How did he come to support Chelsea, and navigating the ebbs and flows of supporting a football club over a period of over 20 years.. What got Amadi into sports journalism after his playing days finished, and how working in football can sometime...

Talking Tactics discuss Chelsea losing to Everton. Why Thomas Tuchel is struggling to get the best from his attack, and whether last season's Champions League was fraudulent. Real Madrid won La Liga, and they've become Diaspora FC in quick time. Mino Raiola passed away last week aged 54; the super agent had an amazing roster of clients, so we lament his passing, and pay him homage. Then your quest...

Talking Tactics discuss Bayern Munich winning the Bundesliga 10 consecutive years. Is that good for German football, and should they have four automatic Champions League spots? Paris Saint-Germain fans booed Messi's goal and the 1-1 result against Lens which saw them win Ligue 1 — they want more. Barcelona lost to a volcano: is Xavi's honeymoon phase over? We preview the Champions League semi-fina...

In this episode of "Talking with..." Daniel sits down with Zito Madu. They discuss Zito's football journey. From Nigeria to the United States, finding places to play in Detroit and surrounding areas. Giving up football to spite his father, walking on his university's team, playing professionally in Turkey, then joining SB Nation to write about the game. That led to a conversation on writing, readi...

Talking Tactics discuss Manchester United beating Norwich City with a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick. Why Cristiano is both solution, and cause of the problem. Is Liverpool v Manchester City the best rivalry in English football, or does some combination of Ferguson's Man United, Wenger's Arsenal, and Mourinho's Chelsea have a better case; and do you need animosity to be rivals? Real Madrid keep winni...

In this episode of "Talking with..." Daniel sits down with Tosin Makinde of CBS Sports. They discuss his Manchester United origin story. What it's like to move countries as a kid, and find your way in new environments. The footballing culture in England as opposed to the United States. Is there any question as to who Tosin would play for internationally? Man United's seeming appointment of Erik te...

Talking Tactics discuss Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool. Did the game match the hype, and who is favourite to win the title? Everton beat Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo had a bad performance - we wonder if lashing out at fans was in response to his own struggles? Why are so many journalists against skillfulness? Arsenal are slipping, Spurs aren't.. Chelsea beat Southampton 6-0; yet despite sco...

In this episode of "Talking with..." Daniel sits down with Carl Anka of The Athletic. They discuss his trip to Ghana and Nigeria, where he covered both World Cup qualification ties between the west African rivals. They explore his personal ties with Ghana, whether he found writing easier while on assignment, the process of entering and accessing stadiums, African Fanta, playing against kids in the...

Talking Tactics discuss Chelsea losing to Brentford. Have Hope thinks Lukaku is proof of Serie A tax being real. Ralf Rangnick continues his inability to change Manchester United's fortunes, as his team drop more points against Leicester. Manchester City and Liverpool are playing the biggest game of the Premier League season on April 10th, we give some contextual and pre-match thoughts. Pedri is t...

Talking Tactics discuss Italy missing the World Cup for the second time in a row. Should Mancini have taken Balotelli, what happened to Jorginho and Donnarumma, and might the heavyweight's absence be used by FIFA to accelerate the Wenger calendar? Canada are in the World Cup for the first time since 1986, have they shown the United States a blueprint? Are west Africa in trouble against north Afric...