The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

Host Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Mark Carey and Liam Tharme to explore Liam's favourite subject, Brighton... Has Roberto de Zerbi actually improved them since Graham Potter was poached by Chelsea and has Brighton's goalscoring form also laid bare Potter's coaching blindspot? How well-suited would De Zerbi be to succeeding Antonio Conte at Spurs? RDZ's use of wingers such as Mitoma and...

Host Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Michael Cox, Liam Tharme and Ahmed Walid to explore Napoli's marvellous season and discuss whether or not they can go onto to win this year's Champions League, as well as, a first Serie A title since 1989/90... Does head coach Luciano Spalletti get enough credit for continuing to innovate at 64 years old? Is star-striker Victor Osimhen destined for a Pr...

In part two of our investigation into the state of PL management, Ali, Michael, Mark and Liam ask how important is a manager and if we can ever prove definitively whether a manager is good or bad? The Athletic's tactics team explore the evolution of the manager's position from arranging the team's transportation to setting pressing traps! How much can a Premier League manager impact a team and are...

Despite huge disappointment for both Kylian Mbappe and Marcus Rashford this week, host Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Mark Carey & Liam Tharme for a bonus episode to dissect the frighteningly good numbers the pair have posted already this season... Has Rashford found his best position and how much credit does Benni McCarthy deserve for his resurgence? What is Mbappe hilariously bad at...

In part one of a two-part investigation into the state of Premier League management , host Ali Maxwell & The Athletic's Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme, explore the many reasons why it is becoming impossible to become a 'long-serving' manager in the most demanding league in the world... How long is the optimum tenure of a Premier League manager now, how Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wen...

After praise for Marco Rose's RB Leipzig in their Champions League draw with Man City on Wednesday night, host Ali Maxwell and The Athletic's Michael Cox, Mark Carey & Liam Tharme explore the many virtues of Red Bull Football... How is the philosophy defined on and off the pitch, what is the make-up of the quintessential 'RB' player, the coaching tree from Ralf Rangnick down and how effective...

How badly are Arsenal missing Gabriel Jesus, why Pep courted disaster with Bernardo Silva at left-back again, why Chelsea are not missing Aubameyang despite their problems infront of goal and why Kylian Mbappe is the best in the world... Host Ali Maxwell and The Athletic's Michael Cox, Mark Carey and (award-nominated) Liam Tharme reflect on all the midweek Premier League and Champions League actio...

How is Ten Hag getting the best out of Marcus Rashford? Which London-based club are the worst at shooting in the division and who is the most left-footed? Host Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme, to explore what the data tells us about your favourite Premier League team... Which young goalkeeper has the lowest save percentage, who are the most fouled te...

Harry Kane's 267th goal for Spurs in their 1-0 win over Man City last week, put him clear of the great Jimmy Greaves as Tottenham's all-time leading goalscorer. In this week's bonus offering, host Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Mark Carey and Liam Tharme to dissect a truly incredible achievement... Can we chart his evolution into a more 'complete' player by analysing his shot locations ov...

No signings in January and Anthony Gordon off to Newcastle - so what chance does Sean Dyche have of avoiding Premier League relegation with his new Everton side? Host Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Michael Cox, Mark Carey & Liam Tharme to explore... Where can Dyche look to instantly improve them, despite a baptism of fire against league-leaders Arsenal and the small matter of a Mersey...

A 'tempo dictator', 'metronome' with a 'youthful exuberance', The Athletic's Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join host Ali Maxwell, to put Chelsea's British transfer record-breaking signing - Enzo Fernandez - under the microscope... How versatile is he and how well will he adapt to Graham Potter's burgeoning Chelsea team? Plus more on his impressive passing repertoire, whether or not he is the ideal ca...

Erling Haaland has scored 25 Premier League goals already. Enough to win the Golden Boot in 12 of the last 30 seasons (16 if you he'd be willing to share the award) - but has he made Manchester City better? Host Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Michael Cox and Mark Carey to investigate... How is performing against his expected goals tally and are there any signs that he'll slow down in the...

Having narrowly missed out on Mykhailo Mudryk and with reports suggesting Leandro Trossard could be on his way to the Emirates, host Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme, to bust some myths about Premier League squad depth and the accusation that Arsenal's squad is still too thin to win the Premier League... The panel delve into the history books to see h...

Once described by Jurgen Klopp as 'the architect of their success', why have Liverpool failed to replace Georginio Wijnaldum? Host Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Mark Carey and Liam Tharme - for a bonus podcast - to scout for some potential reinforcements from around Europe and in the Premier League... The panel dive into the data to produce a handful of midfielders the club could look to...

Host Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Liam Tharme and Mark Carey, to assess what January loanees Joao Felix and Wout Weghorst will bring to Chelsea and Manchester United respectively... Are Felix's numbers reliable given the system in which Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid play and are we allowed to completely ignore Weghorst's stint at Burnley last season? The panel also reflect on Chelsea'...

Host Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme for a closer look at Antonio Conte's Tottenham Hotspur... As second-half comebacks have become almost routine at Spurs, our panel investigate the tactical issues, squad limitations and off-field drama at the heart of the phenomenon. Plus, Kane and Son's role reversal, an over-reliance on Kulusevski for creativity,...

Ali Maxwell is joined by the Athletic's Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme to breakdown the world cup final - one of the most remarkable games of football you'll ever see and a contender for the best final of all-time. Amidst all the drama and narrative, how was the game actually won and lost? From Messi's calmness in the big moments, to Di Maria's crowning performance, to Mbappe's ultimately...

Host Ali Maxwell and The Athletic's tactics writers, Michael Cox and Liam Tharme, dissect the World Cup semi-finals and ponder the big tactical questions facing Didier Deschamps and Lionel Scaloni ahead of Sunday's final... Is Griezmann a 'complete' footballer, how Thuram's introduction wrestled control back from Morocco and how 'Scaloni roulette' nullified Croatia's midfield. Plus, the various se...

Host Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Michael Cox and Mark Carey to assess the World Cup final 4... What tactical lessons might Morocco learn from England's plan for Kylian Mbappe? Could Argentina's 'ill-discipline' cost them, and Messi, a place in Sunday's final? Is Griezmann actually leading the race for the Golden Ball? And how Croatia have improved since the World Cup final in 2018. Plu...

Host Ali Maxwell returns and joins The Athletic's Michael Cox and Mark Carey to explore the tactical system behind Brazil's beautiful football... The similarities with both Manchester City and Arsenal, playing two number 10s in an era of none and their philosophical evolution since the 'dark days' of 2010 and 2014. Plus, Casemiro's quality, Raphinha's role as creator-in-chief and if set-pieces are...

The Athletic's Mark Carey, Michael Cox and Ahmed Walid pause to reflect on the conclusion of the World Cup group stages...  The panel discuss the strength of England's last-16 opponents Senegal, as well as Argentina's aggression and Messi in a more classic false-9 role. Whether it's actually fair to judge Australia by their low xG numbers and how else to decide between two teams level at the end o...

Mark Carey is joined by The Athletic's Michael Cox and Liam Tharme to reflect on the most interesting tactical trends and data insights from the second round of World Cup matches... A distinct lack of shots from distance, the impact of substitute strikers and why any memorable tournament really needs the big favourites to make it out of the group stage. Plus, 'steering wheel' full-back systems, ho...

Mark Carey hosts in Ali's absence as The Athletic's tactics writers, Michael Cox and Ahmed Walid, reflect on the key takeaways and trends from the opening round of World Cup group games... How did Japan and Saudi Arabia pull off two historic World Cup upsets and how much of it was down to tactical flexibility and ingenuity. Were Spain actually underrated going into the tournament and how are their...

In part two of The Athletic Football Tactics Podcast’s World Cup preview, host Ali Maxwell is once again joined by Michael Cox, Liam Tharme and Mark Carey to run through the rest of teams competing at next week’s tournament... In this episode they cover: Group B (featuring England, Wales and the USA), C (Favourites Argentina), D (Reigning World champions France) and last but not least, Group F (Be...

Host Ali Maxwell is joined by The Athletic's Michael Cox, Liam Tharme and Mark Carey to breakdown the data and the tactical trends behind every World Cup nation set to compete in Qatar next week... In this podcast (part 1 of 2) our panel navigate Groups H and E (their own personal favourites) as well as Group G (Brazil's) and Group A (containing Netherlands & Senegal). Will Cristiano Ronaldo's...