…

The Athletic FC Podcast

…

The Athletic

The Athletic's flagship football podcast, hosted by Ayo Akinwolere and featuring the likes of David Ornstein, Phil Hay, Adam Crafton and Matt Slater will take you inside the biggest stories in football told by the best reporters in the business. We cut through the noise to tell you what’s really happening - and why it matters.

#934

Are Flick’s Barcelona as good as they look?

10 games into the La Liga season it’s Barcelona who sit top, after a convincing 5-1 demolition of Sevilla on Sunday. With Bayern Munich and Real Madrid to come, this week looks set to test Barca’s newfound resolve under Hansi Flick So, are Barcelona back? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's La Liga writer Dermot Corrigan to discuss Flick's start to life in Barcelona as well as their financial position before Barcelona writer Pol Ballus drops in having been at the manager's media conference ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. [Reading Barcelona’s accounts – and why a ‘€12m profit’ is actually a €91m loss] (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5812694/2024/10/03/barcelona-finances-dani-olmo-la-liga-registration/) Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Dermot Corrigan and Pol Ballus Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

5 hrs Ago

42 MINS

42:20

5 hrs Ago

#933

Will Arsenal's "silly mistakes" harm their title challenge?

As Declan Rice said after Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend, the team are making "silly mistakes”. So, can Arsenal still be title contenders if they keep making these mistakes? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Phil Hay and James McNicholas Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

Yesterday

37 MINS

37:29

Yesterday

#932

The Preview - Liverpool vs Chelsea

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where each week we go deep on the biggest game of the weekend. This week — we’re focusing on Liverpool vs Chelsea. This should be an intriguing tactical battle - Arne Slot's reds boast the best defensive record so far, while Enzo Maresca's blues top the charts for xG from open play. Plus, we look at the fixtures elsewhere with drop ins from the club podcasts across our network. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Jon Mackenzie, Luke Bosher Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

18 Oct 2024

46 MINS

46:28

18 Oct 2024

#931

Is Jhon Duran the Premier League's next superstar?

Jhon Duran just can't stop scoring! Another goal off the bench for Colombia during the international break makes adds to the six goals he already has for Aston Villa this season, with six of those coming off the bench. So how does he go from supersub to starter? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Aston Villa writer Jacob Tanswell and senior data analyst Mark Carey to delve into Duran's role, character and potential with the 20-year-old Colombian quickly emerging as one of the Premier League's most talked about players. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jacob Tanswell and Mark Carey Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

17 Oct 2024

44 MINS

44:10

17 Oct 2024

#930

Why England chose Tuchel

England have chosen a permanent successor to Gareth Southgate. So why has Thomas Tuchel been chosen and does he offer the best chance of winning the World Cup? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Liam Twomey and Phil Hay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou, Jay Beale and Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

16 Oct 2024

52 MINS

52:05

16 Oct 2024

#929

Why INEOS ended Ferguson's Man United contract

Adam Crafton exclusively revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United ambassadorial contract has been ended by the club. So why have INEOS taken this decision? And with Erik ten Hag back at work after the international break - does this mean the owners have also taken a decision on the manager? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton, Laurie Whitwell and Phil Hay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

15 Oct 2024

42 MINS

42:43

15 Oct 2024

#928

Would Guardiola manage England?

As things stand, Pep Guardiola’s contract expires at Manchester City at the end of the season.. Meanwhile, the English Football Association are still to announce a permanent replacement for Gareth Southgate. So, is there any chance Guardiola would manage England? The Athletic's senior football writer Oli Kay and Man City writer Sam Lee join Ayo Akinwolere to discuss Guardiola's future as well as England's search for a permanent successor. England writer Jack Pitt-Brooke also drops by following the 3-1 win over Finland to assess Lee Carsley's position as interim head coach. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Oli Kay and Sam Lee Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

14 Oct 2024

41 MINS

41:10

14 Oct 2024

#927

Premier League Review: Assessing every club so far

Adam Leventhal is joined by Tim Spiers and Jon Mackenzie to assess the opening seven gameweeks of the 24/25 Premier League season. The panel discuss all 20 teams; reflecting on Arne Slot's impressive start, the contrasting playing styles of Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola, the race for Europe led by Chelsea and Villa, and the four sides still yet to win a game. Plus - Brentford's fast starts, Spurs' collapse at Brighton, Forest exceeding expectations and much more. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

11 Oct 2024

1 HR 09 MINS

1:09:15

11 Oct 2024

#926

What now for Paul Pogba?

He was once the most expensive player in world football but last year Paul Pogba saw his career in tatters after being handed a four-year suspension for a doping violation. Now having seen that ban reduced to 18-months he could be in line for a return to action in March. So what is next for Pogba? James Horncastle and Oli Kay are alongside Ayo Akinwolere to talk about Pogba’s ban being reduced, Juventus’ response and what could unfold between now and the Frenchman being able to return to competitive action. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Horncastle and Oli Kay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

10 Oct 2024

39 MINS

39:16

10 Oct 2024

#925

Man City vs the Premier League explained

So the verdict has been announced in Manchester City's legal case against the Premier League over the rules on commercial deals involving clubs' owners. So can either side claim to be winners or losers from the case? And what ramifications could it all have for the 115 charges hanging over City? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Matt Slater and Jacob Whitehead Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

09 Oct 2024

43 MINS

43:22

09 Oct 2024

#924

Do the winless clubs need to change to survive?

Today we’re focusing on the four winless clubs in the Premier League; Southampton, Wolves, Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace. What can these clubs do to avoid being cut adrift and their managers getting sacked? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Tim Spiers and Phil Hay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

08 Oct 2024

41 MINS

41:59

08 Oct 2024

#923

Are Slot's Liverpool serious title contenders?

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? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Oli Kay and James Pearce to analyse Liverpool's start to the Slot era with La Liga writer Dermot Corrigan also dropping by to discuss Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract uncertainty amid possible interest from Real Madrid. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Oli Kay, James Pearce and Dermot Corrigan Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

07 Oct 2024

45 MINS

45:54

07 Oct 2024

#922

The Preview - Aston Villa v Man United

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, Nick Miller, Jacob Tanswell, Liam Tharme, Ahmed Walid Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

04 Oct 2024

48 MINS

48:12

04 Oct 2024

#921

How Arsenal mastered set-pieces

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 Onuoha to debate the rising importance and focus on set-pieces including the influences of coaches such as Nicolas Jover. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Phil Hay, Liam Tharme and Nedum Onuoha Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

03 Oct 2024

47 MINS

47:15