The Athletic FC Podcast

Today we’re picking the bones out of Liverpool’s 3-0 rout of Manchester United. Arne Slot has begun life at Anfield with three wins from three, as for Erik ten Hag’s side they’ve already lost twice this season. So have Liverpool improved or are Manchester United just not the test they once were? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Manchester United writer Carl Anka and Liverpool writer Jame...

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 Arne Slot's first serious test as Erik ten Hag's Manchester United host Liverpool at Old Trafford. 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, Carl...

Ahead of the Champions League returning it’s goodbye to the group stage and that’s not the only change - you’ll probably notice they’ve dabbled with the music as well!  To delve into the changes to the format Ayo Akinwolere is joined by football news reporter Matt Slater and lead writer for The Athletic FC newsletter Phil Hay. The panel get into the the new league structure, explain why it gets ca...

Brighton have had an impressive start under their 31-year old-manager Fabian Hurzeler and an even more impressive transfer window - with £200million spent.  On the show it’s tactics writer Liam Tharme and German football writer Seb Stafford-Bloor. And we’re asking… is there something exciting happening with the Seagulls this season? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Liam Tharme and Seb Stafford-Bloor Exe...

With just days left until the transfer window closes - what big moves should we look out for? So what is going to happen with Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho?  Are Liverpool getting Federico Chiesa?  And is Manuel Ugarte finally on his way to Manchester United? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein and Carl Anka Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acas...

One game, one win but Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich had to leave it late to get the job done! Serge Gnabry with a late winner as they came from behind to beat Wolfsburg 3-2. So after Bayer Leverkusen ended Bayern’s run of 11 straight titles last season, can Kompany lead them back to the top? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's German football writer Seb Stafford-Bloor and Andy Jones, who...

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 Unai Emery's Aston Villa, who host title chasing Arsenal on Saturday. 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, Jacob Tanswell, Liam Tharme, James...

Only a week into the season but it appears Napoli boss Antonio Conte has already gone full Conte. After an opening day defeat he said his side "melted like snow in the sunshine”. So how can Napoli avoid another disappointing season after their title triumph in 2023? Is moving on Victor Osimhen and reuniting Conte with Romelu Lukaku the answer? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Horncastle and Jack P...

So Manchester City have now reached agreement with Ilkay Gundogan over a free transfer from Barcelona. So is it a no-brainer for City to bring back a player they let go just 12 months ago? And why are Barca willing to allow one of their best players to leave so soon?  Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Sam Lee and Pol Ballús Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See aca...

It felt like a host of top clubs would be queuing up to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney this summer. He’s been linked with a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League But where is the interest from Premier League clubs for the England international? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jay Harris and Liam Tharme Additional reporting: Laurie Whitwell, James McNicholas, Sam Lee Producers: Abi Paterson & Gu...

Once again we’re asking what is going on at Stamford Bridge. So after being unhappy at being left out for the season opener. What now for Raheem Sterling at Chelsea?  Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Oli Kay and Liam Twomey 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 — Opening week! — we’re focusing on the ever-changing Chelsea, who host Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday. Plus, which Chelsea player would start for City, and a look at the fixtures elsewhere with drop ins from the club podcasts across our network. Host: Mi...

After missing out on European football last season, it’s been a summer of uncertainty at Newcastle United. Changes in the boardroom have seen Eddie Howe lose a key ally in Amanda Staveley and with a new Sporting Director Newcastle are yet to truly flex their strength in the transfer market. So will Newcastle do the business they need and is the manager’s position vulnerable? Ayo Akinwolere is join...

Liverpool have been rejected. So why has Martín Zubimendi turned down a move to Anfield under new manager Arne Slot? And are they at risk of being left behind by their busy rivals in the transfer market?  Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Phil Hay and Simon Hughes Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been a year since the departure of Harry Kane from Tottenham. But with record signing Dominic Solanke are Tottenham finally replacing their all-time record goalscorer? And what can we expect from Ange Postecoglou’s second season in charge at Spurs? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jack Pitt-Brooke and Seb Stafford-Bloor  Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See...

New coaches, new CEO, new Sporting Director - you name it - it’s been a summer, of upheaval at Manchester United. That's before you even look at the transfer market! But will the changes be enough for the drastic, improvement needed after finishing 8th in the Premier League last season? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Manchester United writers, and Talk of the Devils regulars Laurie Whi...

Pep Guardiola has entered the final year of his Manchester City contract. With the uncertainty around many players futures, and the 115 charges still looming, could this be the end of an era at Manchester City?  Adam Levethal is joined by Phil Hay, lead writer for The Athletic FC newsletter as well as our Manchester City writer Sam Lee to reflect on their eventful U.S tour, Julian Alvarez's potent...

With just one win in five games, Chelsea’s US Tour hasn’t quite gone to plan, conceding four goals apiece to both Celtic and Manchester City along the way. New boss Enzo Maresca blamed ‘old habits’ for their defensive misgivings after his side’s latest defeat to Real Madrid. So, with the Premier League season just over a week away what should we expect from Chelsea?  Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Ph...

Fresh off an outstanding Euro 2024 campaign with Spain, Dani Olmo is close to a 60 million euro move to Barcelona. But given their ongoing financial issues, how are Barca affording this? And with plenty of stars already established in midfield, do they even need Olmo? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Pol Ballús and Tomás Hill López-Menchero Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted...

On today’s podcast we bring you our reporter Adam Crafton’s exclusive interview with Zlatan Ibrahimovic. With 561 goals for club and country and 12 league titles across four countries - he is truly one of football’s greats. You’ll hear the former Manchester United, PSG, Milan and Sweden striker open up on his childhood, his tattoos, how Jose Mourinho got the best out of him, and… viewing himself a...

Despite going close in each of the past two seasons, Arsenal have ultimately finished both empty-handed. So is this the season Mikel Arteta finally delivers the Premier League title? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Art De Roche as well as Handbrake Off regular and former Arsenal winger Adrian Clarke to assess Arsenal's title chances ahead of the new season. Italian football corresponden...

Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are just some of the teams in America during pre-season supposedly giving back to their fans abroad. But is it enough? Do Premier League teams need to play competitive matches away from England to truly make this a global game? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Adam Crafton to discuss the importance of pre-season tours in the US for Premier League clubs with the...

Spain are deservedly champions of Europe. So why are England once again unable to take the final step? And will it be Gareth Southgate’s final game as manager?  Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Oli Kay, David Ornstein, Pol Ballus Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke & Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lamine Yamal turns 17 the day before Spain’s Euro 2024 final against England and he’s already produced the moment of the tournament with his wonder goal in the semi-final win over France. So how did he get so good so young?  And will his club side Barcelona be able to keep hold of him in the long term? Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's Pol Ballus, who is out in Germany covering Spain at E...

England left it late, but thanks for Ollie Watkins' last minute winner are through to the final at Euro 2024. So are they now good, or just really lucky having relied on a number of big moments throughout the tournament? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Oli Kay who was in Dortmund for the 2-1 win over the Netherlands as well as Jack Pitt-Brooke and Tim Spiers to analyse England's route t...