Seb Stafford-Bloor

In this engaging discussion, experts Julien Laurens, Pol Ballús, James Horncastle, and Seb Stafford-Bloor dissect the early action in European football. PSG starts strong but face rising competition from Marseille and Monaco. They explore La Liga's dynamics, with Barcelona poised as favorites over a revamped Real Madrid. In Serie A, injury woes for Romelu Lukaku present opportunities for challengers to Napoli's title. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich, boosted by Harry Kane, looks to solidify its Supercup triumph amid a competitive Bundesliga landscape.

In this lively discussion, James Horncastle, an Italian football writer, breaks down Napoli's thrilling Serie A title win led by Scott McTominay. Julien Laurens shares the latest from PSG's training camp as they gear up for the Champions League final against Inter. Seb Stafford-Bloor reviews an emotional DFB-Pokal finale while discussing Erik ten Hag's potential shift to Leverkusen. Pol Ballús reflects on Real Madrid's managerial changes and the La Liga season's conclusion, showcasing the unpredictable dynamics and emotional farewells in European football.

Seb Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic's Bundesliga correspondent, delves into the future of rising star Florian Wirtz. He explains why Wirtz might prefer Liverpool over Bayern Munich and Manchester City, highlighting his impressive skills and playing style. The panel also discusses Federico Chiesa’s ‘cult’ status and his potential transfer implications, blending critical analysis with humor. Additionally, they touch on the uncertain futures of players like Harvey Elliott, exploring the emotional ties fans have with these athletes amid club dynamics.

This week’s discussion features Julien Laurens, a respected French football journalist, Pol Ballús, a keen Spanish football expert, James Horncastle, known for his insights into Italian football, and Seb Stafford-Bloor, a sharp football analyst. They dive into thrilling Champions League match-ups, assessing Arsenal's chances against PSG and the anticipated El Clasico. The team celebrates Bayern Munich’s dominance with Harry Kane leading the charge. They also touch on Serie A’s title race with Napoli and Roma's impressive unbeaten streak.

Seb Stafford-Bloor, a tactical writer for The Athletic, dives into the Bundesliga rivalry between Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, exploring the coaching styles of Xabi Alonso and Vincent Kompany. The discussion questions whether managers truly need star players to achieve success. Delve into the tactical evolution behind Leverkusen's unbeaten streak and Bayern's recent challenges. Examine the complexities of player roles and team strategies, showcasing how effective management can thrive even without a roster of elite talent.