The Athletic FC Podcast

Arne Slot has settled in nicely at Anfield with his side are top of the Premier League heading into the October international break following their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday. Despite winning nine of their 10 games under the Dutchman in all competitions, Liverpool are yet to beat anyone in the top half of the Premier League table. So how serious is Liverpool’s challenge for the title?...

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where each week we’ll be going deep on the biggest game of the weekend. This week — we’re focusing on Aston Villa vs Manchester United. After contrasting weeks in Europe, will Sunday's game decide Erik ten Hag's future? Plus, we look at the fixtures elsewhere with drop ins from the club podcasts across our network. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Tim Spiers, N...

Why is it that everytime Arsenal get a set-piece it feels like they’ll score? Since the start of the 2021/22 season Mikel Arteta's have scored 44 goals from set-pieces with Gabriel responsible for 12 of those. So, how have set-pieces become so important? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic FC newsletter lead writer Phil Hay, Tactics writer Liam Tharme and former Premier League defender Nedum...

On Tuesday night PSG lost for first time since Kylian Mbappe left for Real Madrid having started the season seven games unbeaten prior to their visit to London. They were also without Ousmane Dembele against Arsenal, the player was dropped for disciplinary reasons. So can PSG succeed without superstars? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Tom Williams, author of Va Va Voom, the modern history of French Fo...

Since the start of 2023-24, Cole Palmer has been directly involved in 43 PL goals (28 goals, 15 assists), more than any other player. So, is Palmer the best player in the Premier League? And why is he thriving at Chelsea? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Liam Twomey and Phil Hay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re focusing on Manchester United after another damaging defeat, this time to Tottenham. So… what can Erik ten Hag do to turn things around?  Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Laurie Whitwell, Jay Harris and Phil Hay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where each week we’ll be going deep on the biggest game of the weekend. This week — we’re focusing on Manchester United vs Spurs at Old Trafford. With Ange Postecoglou & Erik ten Hag's sides 10th & 11th respectively, Sunday presents a huge opportunity for one to kick start their season. Plus, we look at the fixtures elsewhere with drop ins from th...

In June FIFA’s new Club World Cup launches but do you know where it’s being held, who’s playing in it or what the format actually is? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Matt Slater and Adam Crafton to discuss the tournament ahead of it's relaunch in the USA next summer with Felipe Cardenas also popping by to explain what it means for the US to host the competition. Host: Ayo Akinwolere Wit...

An agreement has been reached for The Friedkin Group to complete a takeover of Everton. But when will it actually be completed?  And how is it being paid for?  Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Matt Slater, Paddy Boyland and James Horncastle  Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re focusing on West Ham. There was so much excitement over their summer transfer business, but Julen Lopetegui has won just one of his first five league games in charge. So… have the Hammers got worse under their new manager or is the job just impossible? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Benji Lanyado, Jon Mackenzie Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See a...

On Sunday, champions Manchester City and challengers Arsenal played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Etihad in which both sides had to come from behind. Despite trailing to Erling Haaland's early goal, Mikel Arteta's side were only denied a win in the depths of added time with John Stones equalising for Pep Guardiola's side. So have Arsenal moved closer to dethroning Man City, despite not beating t...

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where each week we’ll be going deep on the biggest game of the weekend. This week — we’re focusing on 1st vs 2nd as Manchester City host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. Plus, we look at the fixtures elsewhere with drop ins from the club podcasts across our network. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Produ...

Today we’re focusing on Aston Villa - looking at their season so far and what was a hectic summer transfer window.. So how is Unai Emery’s side managing the demands of both Champions League and Premier League football?  Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Thom Harris who was there to witness Villa’s return to action in the Champions League this week & also broadcaster Dan Bardell who is...

Today we’re focusing on Real Madrid and their super star players - The Galacticos. So how does Carlo Ancelotti manage the talent and the egos to deliver on the pitch? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Dermot Corrigan, Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero and Ramón Calderón Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re focusing on Manchester City’s 115 charges for alleged breaches of financial rules after the long-awaited hearing started earlier this week. So how might all this play out for City? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Phil Hay and Matt Slater Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After victory in the North London derby, is Arsenal's leaner squad capable of keeping pace with Manchester City across both the Premier League and the Champions League? Also, David Ornstein will bring us all the details of manager Mikel Arteta’s new contract  And what does defeat to Arsenal say about how far Ange Postecoglou are behind their local rivals. Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s...

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where each week we’ll be going deep on the biggest game of the weekend. This week — we’re focusing on the North London derby as Spurs host Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Plus, we look at the fixtures elsewhere with drop ins from the club podcasts across our network. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Jon Mackenzie, Nick Miller Executive Producer: Adey...

These days, most Premier League clubs have an executive to deal with transfers. From Richard Hughes swapping Bournemouth for Liverpool this summer to Manchester United’s pursuit of Dan Ashworth and Newcastle replacing him with Paul Mitchell who has got off to a tricky start. So, when a transfer window doesn’t go to plan, is the sporting director to blame? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's...

Football is at breaking point. That's the message of yet another stark warning from FIFPro who recently suggested that this season will be the "worst ever" for player workload. We have PFA Chief Exec Maheta Molango on to explain what he's hearing from players, the impact this could have on its youngest stars, and whether we're heading towards a strike. Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Maheta Molango a...

Since Roman Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale over two years ago, the club has been plagued with instability on and off the pitch. This week - things have got worse - Clearlake and Todd Boehly’s relationship is at breaking point and the ownership is in crisis. So why has this partnership fractured, and what does it mean for Chelsea’s future?  Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton, Liam Twomey,...

Mauricio Pochettino is set to be confirmed as the new head coach of the US Men’s National Team The Argentine takes charge less than two years out from co-hosting the World Cup So, is Pochettino the right choice to turn US fortunes into an American dream? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton and Felipe Cardenas to analyse the potential appointment ahead of an official announcemen...

Adam Leventhal is joined by Tim Spiers and Jon Mackenzie to assess the opening three weeks of the 24/25 Premier League season. The panel reflect on Liverpool's 3-0 victory at Old Trafford, Everton's collapse at home to Bournemouth, and back to back hat-tricks for Erling Haaland - helping Manchester City start the season as they ended last. We also hear from our Tottenham and Chelsea writers from t...

This week, Leicester City won their appeal against a Premier League charge for PSR breaches. Everton & Nottingham Forest have already been punished for financial rule breaking and Manchester City face multiple charges of their own, so how did Leicester avoid a points deduction and what does it mean for PSR? Ian Irving is joined by The Athletic's senior football news reporter Matt Slater and le...

Victor Osimhen was once the hottest strikers in European football. But instead of a move to PSG or Chelsea, the 25-year-old is swapping Naples for Istanbul. So… how has Osimhen ended up at Galatasaray? Host: Ian Irving With: James Horncastle and Carl Anka Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re focusing on the Premier League club that is rock bottom of the table after three straight losses. Meanwhile, off the pitch, their future is still up in the air. So… what now for Everton? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Paddy Boyland, Phil Hay and Matt Slater Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.