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. read less

Our Editor's Take

The Athletic Football Podcast is a fantastic source for news and commentary. It's from the team at The Athletic, a popular sports coverage website. But even though it is an American publication, the show is about soccer, not the National Football League. New episodes drop every weekday. Mark Chapman hosts most episodes. Ian Irving and Dan Bardell also host some episodes.

Mark has spent most of his career as a sports host across TV and radio. He's also created insightful documentaries. Dan is a sports host, panelist, and creator of a dedicated YouTube channel for fans of Aston Villa. Ian is a Premier League reporter. Other contributors join The Athletic Football Podcast, like David Ornstein and Adam Crafton.

This podcast seeks to provide extra insight into the latest football games. It's the podcast for all the FA Cup and World Cup action. Plus, listeners can enjoy Champions League chat from this season into next season.

The Athletic Football Podcast enjoys a good debate. One episode questions what makes a good Premier League owner. Mark explores the topic with fellow writers Matt Slater, George Caulkin, and Oli Kay. Will Liverpool, Manchester United, or Man City appear top in their ratings? Another interesting topic for discussion is racism within the sport. This episode focuses on Real Madrid's superstar Vinicius Jr and his reports of racism. Does Spanish football have a problem with it, and is there a solution?

Another highlight episode focuses on the talent behind Benfica. What is the club doing to create talented players like Enzo Fernandez? The podcast talks to academy coaches and football experts to find out more. Another episode investigates possible loopholes within the transfer window. Is Financial Fair Play impacting the spending of Leeds United? How are the rules affecting different football clubs? This podcast explains it all.

Listeners of this podcast can expect an interesting and insightful review of football. Each episode combines an expert team offering extra insights into this fast-paced and exciting game. The Athletic Football Podcast is great for soccer fans everywhere.

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Has FPL transformed how we watch football?

Has FPL transformed how we watch football?

Today we’re talking; captains, differentials, and when to wildcard. You know it. We’re talking Fantasy Premier League aka FPL. So, how has a fantasy game changed the way we watch football? Host Ayo Akinwolere Guest, Sam Bonfield. Mark Critchley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episodes

Has FPL transformed how we watch football?

Has FPL transformed how we watch football?

Today we’re talking; captains, differentials, and when to wildcard. You know it. We’re talking Fantasy Premier League aka FPL. So, how has a fantasy game changed the way we watch football? Host Ayo Akinwolere Guest, Sam Bonfield. Mark Critchley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inside Guardiola's decision to stay at Man City

Inside Guardiola's decision to stay at Man City

Pep Guardiola has agreed to extend his contract as Manchester City manager So why has he decided to stay and will he be able to build another team to dominate the Premier League? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Sam Lee and Pol Ballus Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are Real Madrid worse with Mbappe?

Are Real Madrid worse with Mbappe?

Today’s focus is on Kylian Mbappe’s stuttering start to life at Real Madrid Has the big-money move made Madrid worse? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Dermot Corrigan and Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who are the billionaires that own Premier League clubs?

Who are the billionaires that own Premier League clubs?

This week across The Athletic we’re focusing on the people that own the 20 clubs that make up the Premier League. So who are they? How much does it cost? and what do they get in return? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Matt Slater and Adam Crafton is assess and debate how the nature of Premier League ownership has changed since the league's inception. Phil Buckingham also drops in to discuss his article on how much each ownership group has invested since taking control of their respective clubs as well as the impact the likes of Abu Dhabi's wealth has had at Manchester City. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Matt Slater, Adam Crafton and Phil Buckingham Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the Premier League stronger than ever?

Is the Premier League stronger than ever?

We’re eleven games into the season, today we’ll be assessing the table – and asking the question – is the quality of the Premier League the best it’s ever been? Host: Adam Leventhal With: Tim Spiers, Nick Miller Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Kane right about England dropouts?

Is Kane right about England dropouts?

England have had nine players drop out of their squad ahead of their matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland. Captain Harry Kane is not impressed speaking out about the importance of playing for the national team. So is Kane right? Outside of major tournaments is international football respected? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Phil Hay, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Chris Waugh and Nick Miller Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are Roma Europe's most chaotic club?

Are Roma Europe's most chaotic club?

Roma have sacked a second manager in less than two months and are now in talks to bring former coach Claudio Ranieri out of retirement. So… can Ranieri stabilise the turbulent Italian club? And what is the latest on Roma’s owners, The Friedkin Group, and their proposed takeover of Everton? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Horncastle and Paddy Boyland Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Project Messi working in the U.S.?

Is Project Messi working in the U.S.?

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami crashed out of the MLS Cup in the first round of the playoffs. So what now for Messi and Miami after being granted a place in the Club World Cup? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Felipe Cardenas and Phil Hay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Angeball working at Tottenham?

Is Angeball working at Tottenham?

After another defeat Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou was quick to accept responsibility following their 2-1 home loss to Ipswich Town. So why are the Spurs so inconsistent and what can they do to fix it? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Charlie Eccleshare and Phil Hay to analyse Spurs' start to the season with Jon Mackenzie also dropping in to analyse their underlying numbers in comparison to last season's lightning-fast start. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Phil Hay, Charlie Eccleshare and Jon Mackenzie Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Preview - Liverpool vs Aston Villa

The Preview - Liverpool vs Aston Villa

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Viktor Gyokeres ready for the Premier League?

Is Viktor Gyokeres ready for the Premier League?

As demonstrated in the Champions League this week Viktor Gyokeres is European football's in-form striker. The Sporting striker's hat-trick against Man City puts him on 23 goals in all competitions already this season. So, after failing to break through at Brighton, could Gyokeres finally be ready for the Premier League? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Liam Tharme and Mark Carey to look at the numbers behind Gyokeres incredible season while David Novo, from Portuguese publication Record, gives the perspective from Portugal. Plus, former Coventry City assistant manager Adi Viveash also shares his account of working with the Swedish striker closely and helping to develop his game prior to his move to Sporting. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Liam Tharme, Mark Carey, David Novo and Adi Viveash Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edu's Arsenal exit

Edu's Arsenal exit

Edu has resigned as Arsenal’s Sporting Director and is expected to join Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ portfolio of clubs. So why has Edu left the Gunners at a critical point of their project under Mikel Arteta? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein and Art de Roché Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Has Slot made Liverpool forget Alonso?

Has Slot made Liverpool forget Alonso?

While their rivals faltered around them on the weekend, Arne Slot’s machine increased their lead at the top of the Premier League. As Xabi Alonso, who was the early favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp, arrives at Anfield in the Champions League… how different might life have looked for both Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Pearce and Seb Stafford-Bloor Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How significant is Man City’s defeat?

How significant is Man City’s defeat?

So Man City suffered defeat in the Premier League for the first time this season away at Bournemouth on Saturday. Added to that, ahead of the game manager Pep Guardiola outlined their mounting injury list, so how much trouble are City in - and could the demands of the season lead to a more open title race? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Oli Kay and The Athletic FC newsletter’s lead writer Phil Hay to analyse the champions start to the season. Man City writer Sam Lee explains the context of their injury list. As well as that senior data analyst Mark Carey drops in to provide context to the state of the table after 10 games and NBA Daily host Dave DuFour has his say on Guardiola drawing comparisons to NBA over fixture congestion. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Oli Kay, Phil Hay and Mark Carey Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Preview - Man United vs Chelsea

The Preview - Man United 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 Manchester United against Chelsea. In the first Premier League game since Erik ten Hag's sacking, interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will be looking to get his side back on track. But with the chance to go nine points clear of United, can Enzo Maresca make a statement in Chelsea's bid for Champions League football? 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 Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inside Amorim's move to Man United

Inside Amorim's move to Man United

Manchester United have reached an agreement to make Ruben Amorim their head coach. So how did the deal come about and is Amorim more suited to succeed at Man United than Erik ten Hag? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Laurie Whitwell, David Novo, Mark Critchley, Andy Mitten Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Nick Thomson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or boycott

Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or boycott

Real Madrid were expecting Vinicius Junior to win the Ballon d’Or on Monday night, but it didn’t go their way. The decision prompted Madrid to cancel their trip to Paris and effectively boycott the event. So.. have Real overreacted? And are they facing bigger problems on the pitch? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Dermot Corrigan and Phil Hay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are Chelsea lacking leaders?

Are Chelsea lacking leaders?

Things are looking good for Chelsea in the Premier League. Despite this, their manager Enzo Maresca has urged captain Reece James to show more leadership. So is a “proper leader” what Chelsea are missing? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Liam Twomey and Phil Hay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Man United sack Ten Hag: Why now & what next?

Man United sack Ten Hag: Why now & what next?

Erik ten Hag has been sacked as Manchester United manager having won just four games from 14 in all competitions at the start of this season. So, why now and what next for Man United? The Athletic's David Ornstein, who broke the story along with Adam Crafton, drops in to reveal the detail within United's decision while Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Laurie Whitwell and Mark Critchley to analyse the decision to let Ten Hag go. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Laurie Whitwell and Mark Critchley Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Preview - Arsenal vs Liverpool

The Preview - Arsenal vs Liverpool

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 Arsenal vs Liverpool. 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, Michael Cox, James Pearce Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices