The Athletic FC Podcast

Hosts George Elek and Ian Irving (standing in for Dan this week) are joined by bet365's Steve Freeth to preview the return of Premier League football...The trio discuss Claudio Ranieri's tough start to life at Vicarage Road and whether Ismaila Sarr was guilty of 'coasting' last year? Plus, how the Arsenal faithful will feel if club legend Patrick Vieira, and his thrilling Crystal Palace side, can take the points on offer at the Emirates on Monday night?Are Chelsea still working out how best to use Lukaku, what do Newcastle have to get right before they can start spending their new-found fortune and more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Matt Slater visits Championship club Queens Park Rangers to speak to club legend Les Ferdinand who is now director of football at the club & Ruben Gnanalingam, QPR vice-chairman to discuss the club's plans to offer their fans the chance to invest in the club's future both on & off the pitch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Flo Lloyd-Hughes and Athletic Editor Dan Barnes (filling in for our usual Dan this week) are joined by reporter Michael Walker, to discuss his article on increasing attendances at non-league football...As Newcastle supporters continue to chant 'we've got our club back', the trio discuss real fan-ownership, a nostalgic match-day experience, out-dated stigmas about supporters and quality of football - all of which, might explain why more and more fans are turning to their local clubs.Plus, as The Athletic continues to celebrate Black History Month, Dan digests some of the latest articles from the collection. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Flo Lloyd-Hughes is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton, Chris Waugh & Oli Kay to discuss the takeover of Newcastle United ending Mike Ashley's 14-year ownership of the club.We’ll discuss the big decisions that need to be made by the new owners; the future of Steve Bruce, January spending, how to address the negative publicity and English football’s obsession with money no matter the source. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's George Elek is joined by Bet 365's Steve Freeth to look ahead to England's world cup qualifiers against Andorra and Hungary, games which are surely the perfect opportunity for Harry Kane to build up some form and score some much-needed goals.There's also a look at how last weekend's Premier League action leaves the season poised as we head into the international break. Is Mo Salah heading for another golden boot and could he win Player of the Year for the second time? Might Brentford's excellent start have some of the top 6 hopefuls looking over their shoulder?All this plus we're joined by From The Rookery End's David Cameron Walker for a look at what Claudio Ranieri's arrival at Watford could mean for the Hornets as they prepare to embark on a daunting run of fixtures against most of the top clubs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Matt Slater & George Caulkin react to the takeover of Newcastle United by The Saudi Arabia-financed consortium.Then Mark Chapman & Matt Slater speak to Nasib Piriyev, the man who is the head of a consortium trying to buy Premier League club West Ham.And The Athletic’s Joey D'Urso joins us for an exclusive update on a story he has been leading on - The collapse of Football Index. We hear from two people who have lost hundreds of thousands of pounds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes are joined by The Athletic's NWSL & Women's Soccer Correspondent, Meg Linehan, to discuss the impact of and fall-out from her sensational story that has brought the league to a standstill...Meg reflects on the harrowing details from her piece, it's place in the wider context of protecting women in all walks of society and how the swell of support from across the globe can shape the future of women's soccer.Also, as The Athletic marks Black History Month, you'll hear an extended clip from an exclusive interview between Adam Leventhal and Troy Deeney - on the continuing fight for equality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Adam Leventhal, Adam Crafton & Italian football writer James Horncastle to detail all you need to know about the owners of Premier League side Watford who have sacked Xisco Munoz to make way for Claudio Ranieri as their new manager.And our Liverpool writer Simon Hughes joins us to discuss the future of Mohamed Salah as discussions over a contract extension have so far failed to reach an agreement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by bet365's Steve Freeth, to preview Manchester City's trip to Anfield... Will Liverpool seize an early opportunity to prove their title credentials and is Curtis Jones the most underrated English starlet in the Premier League?Plus, how a buoyant Arsenal will fare against xG-defiant Brighton, how Leicester have flat-lined despite Vardy's goals, and a closer look at how two wingers - Jadon Sancho and Andros Townsend - have settled in to life at Manchester United and Everton respectively. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Matt Slater to explain why UEFA are locked in a legal battle with Barcelona Real Madrid & Juventus as the Super League fallout continues.Dr Katarina Pijetlovic an expert on breakaway leagues. Sports law specialist helps us dig a little deeper & outlines why things played out the way they did and what could happen next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.