The Athletic FC Podcast

Tuesday night saw goals galore in the Premier League. Nine at Craven Cottage as Manchester City edged a 5-4 win over Fulham - including Erling Haaland’s 100th. And at St James’ Park - there was a last minute equaliser from Cristian Romero, earning Spurs a point. So why are Newcastle dropping points so often, and why can’t Spurs create chances? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Chris Waugh, Charlie Eccl...

It’s now less than a month until the January transfer window opens. Manchester United are in pursuit of a new midfielder, with Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba among the names being considered. So will they finally fix their midfield in 2026? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Mark Critchley, Laurie Whitwell Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomson Hosted on...

Chelsea took a point against Arsenal despite, yet again, being down to ten men.  So, will their ill-discipline stop them being title contenders? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton and Jack Pitt-Brooke Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where this week our main focus is Chelsea vs Arsenal. Which side will make the bigger statement with a win? Does Enzo Maresca have to start Estevao? Who would the panel have in their side out of Rice and Caicedo? Mark Critchley and Cerys Jones join Matt Davies-Adams to look ahead to Sunday's clash before turning their attention to the fixtures elsewhere i...

In the battle of two of Europe’s heavyweights it was Arsenal who came out on top. So, how much damage does a first defeat of the season do to Vincent Kompany’s Bayern? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Seb Stafford-Bloor and Kev Hatchard Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Real Madrid are top of La Liga and have won three from four in the Champions League, but there’s always drama around the corner at the Bernabeu. Vinicius Junior has told the club he doesn’t want to renew his contract while his relationship with head coach Xabi Alonso remains strained. So… who will end up winning this battle: star player or head coach? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Mario Cortegana,...

After six defeats in their last seven Premier League matches, reigning champions Liverpool sit 12th in the league. Supporters streamed out of Anfield when Nottingham Forest’s third goal went in on Saturday. So is Arne Slot’s position at risk? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jon Mackenzie and Oli Kay Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Mike Stavrou, Liam Warburton, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast....

Arsenal are six points clear at the top of the Premier League with Eberechi Eze playing a starring role. So, how important has their summer business been? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton and James McNicholas Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where this week our main focus is Arsenal vs Spurs. Which side is under more pressure to win? Who replaces Gabriel? Where can Spurs hurt Arsenal? Reuben Pinder and Alexander Barker join Matt Davies-Adams to look ahead to Sunday's clash before turning their attention to the fixtures elsewhere including Newcastle vs Manchester City, Liverpool vs Nottingham...

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo has a £65m release clause - as revealed by The Athletic's David Ornstein.  He could be on the move in January.  So who wants him? And where will he go? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein, Carl Anka, Dan Kilpatrick and Dean Holden Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...

The 2026 World Cup is almost set. We now know 42   out of the   48 teams going to next year’s tournament. With the draw just around the corner, we're looking at who has qualified already, who is yet to qualify, and what a 48-team World Cup will look like. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Felipe Cardenas, Adam Crafton Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Mike Stavrou, L...

Today we bring you an audio exclusive with David Kogan, Chair of the Independent Football Regulator. A role that makes him one of the most powerful people in English football. So what powers will he actually have, and what difference will they make to fans of clubs in the Premier League and beyond? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Matt Slater and David Kogan Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead and Abi Pa...

A week ago we released a documentary about illegal streaming. It’s fair to say, you’ve had a lot to say about it. So, today we’re going to answer your questions, and look to the future of watching football. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Adam Crafton and Matt Slater Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re eleven games into the 2025/26 Premier League season. Arsenal are top, Man City are clinging to their coat tails, Sunderland are in the Champions League places and just four points separate 2nd from 9th.  Meanwhile Newcastle are languishing in 14th, Fulham’s top scorer is own goals, West Ham and Nottingham Forest are in the relegation zone and Wolves sit rock bottom, still yet to win a g...

Como 1907 are one of the most intriguing clubs in modern football. They have gone from Serie D to Serie A in just six years, backed by billionaire owners they have ambitious plans to grow the Como brand and emulate a Disney model. In this show we're talking to Mirwan Suwarso, President of Como 1907 about how the club rose to the top and their plans to sustain their success. You'll hear all about m...

Today we're bringing you an exclusive interview for The Athletic, Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton in conversation with David Ornstein. Ahead of next summer's World Cup, they get into his England chances, being overly self critical, the constant transfer speculation that surrounds him and much more... Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein & Adam Wharton Executive Producer...

Ruben Amorim’s first year at Manchester United has been box office. From the lows of the Europa League final defeat to the highs of that historic win at Anfield. So how do we assess his time at Old Trafford - and what next for the project? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Mark Critchley, Oli Kay and Charlotte Harpur Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acas...

Pep Guardiola’s 1,000th game in management ended with Liverpool thrashed and Man City just four points off Arsenal. Erling Haaland was among the goals, but Jeremy Doku got all the attention at the Etihad. Can they now sustain a serious challenge for the title? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton and Jack Pitt-Brooke Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See ac...

Does the rise of illegal streaming pose an existential threat to football? To answer that question, Adam Leventhal has spent the last six months looking into the culture, crime and crisis associated with pirating live football matches. In this special episode of The Athletic FC Podcast you'll hear undercover reporting and behind the scenes access to police investigations, including how the world's...

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where this week our main focus is Manchester City vs Liverpool. Where do you play Wirtz? How do you stop Haaland? And will either of them reel in Arsenal? Andy Jones and Jordan Campbell join Matt Davies-Adams to look ahead to Sunday's clash before turning their attention to the fixtures elsewhere including Sunderland vs Arsenal, Spurs vs Manchester United...

Halfway through the Champions League league phase and one pattern is emerging; the dominance of the Premier League. But is that a problem for the balance of the Champions League? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Michael Cox and James Horncastle Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anfield roared - and booed - as Liverpool emphatically defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League. So could this victory reignite their season? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Pearce and Tomás Hill López-Menchero Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Mike Stavrou and John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wolves have sacked manager Vitor Pereira. With zero wins in the league, and just two points, all signs lead to relegation. So, can anyone save them? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein, Matt Slater & Tim Spiers Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Mike Stavrou and John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another home defeat, and flat performance against Chelsea, losing 1-0 on Saturday. But Tottenham are fifth in the Premier League - having finished 17th last season. So, are Spurs improving under Thomas Frank? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton and Jack Pitt-Brooke Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where this week our main focus is Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea. Carl Anka and Jay Harris join Matt Davies-Adams to look ahead to Saturday's derby before turning their attention to the fixtures elsewhere including Manchester City vs Bournemouth, Liverpool vs Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United. Host: Matt Davies-Adams With: Carl Anka &a...