The Athletic FC Podcast

Through to the semi-finals of the Champions League, Barcelona are on course for a treble this season.So how has Hansi Flick imprinted his style on this team? And will he stay at Barca in the long term?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Pol Ballus, Thom HarrisExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou & Simon Watts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has the Premier League been a little boring this season? Especially compared to a thrilling round in the Champions League knockout phase.Have Pep Guardiola’s complex systems killed creativity? Or is the entertainment just coming from different places — tighter mid-table races, smarter tactics, and more goals than ever?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Jack Pitt-Brooke & Duncan AlexanderExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United & Chelsea are just two of the clubs interested in Ipswich Town’s star striker Liam Delap.So with a summer transfer auction on the cards - where will Delap end up? Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Laurie Whitwell & Simon JohnsonExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mohamed Salah has signed a new two-year contract at Liverpool, while Virgil van Dijk looks set to do the same. With owners FSG usually reluctant to hand out lucrative contract extensions to ageing players, why have they made an exception and what does it mean for Liverpool’s summer transfer business? The Athletic's David Ornstein and Liverpool writer James Pearce join Matt Davies-Adams to discuss the latest on the Liverpool contract saga. Host: Matt Davies-AdamsWith: David Ornstein, James PearceProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since Chelsea’s takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake capital, the Blues have spent - unlike any other club bringing in the likes of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Felix.Despite their massive outlays, Chelsea announced a £128.4m profit for the year to June 2024.So how have they done it - and have they found another PSR loophole?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's football finance writer Chris Weatherspoon and Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey to discuss the Blues' latest accounts, sale of their women's team within the ownership group and assess how it will impact their summer transfer activity.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Chris Weatherspoon and Liam TwomeyProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

European champions Real Madrid were rocked by a riveting Arsenal display in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie last nightWith Madrid facing an uphill task in both the Champions League and La Liga - will they bring in more superstars this summer to bolster their squad?  And will Carlo Ancelotti still be the man to make it all gel together next season?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Guillermo Rai, Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero James McNicholasProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luis Enrique’s young and vibrant PSG side are turning heads with their exuberant brand of football.They’ve already wrapped up the Ligue 1 title with six games left to spare - and they face Aston Villa in the Champions League quarter-finals this week.So is Enrique one of the most underrated coaches of the modern era?And are PSG finally ready to win the Champions League?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Tom Williams, Dermot CorriganProducer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 10 years, 13 major honours and six Premier League titles Kevin De Bruyne is leaving Manchester City.So where does he rank amongst the best to play in the Premier League and how do City go about replacing him?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's football correspondent David Ornstein and Man City writer Sam Lee as they share their reaction to the news, reflect on the brilliance the Belgian has brought to the Premier League and assess how Pep Guardiola's side move on from his departure.Plus football data writer Thom Harris drops by to remember some of De Bruyne's most crucial moments in a Man City shirt.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: David Ornstein and Sam LeeProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester City travel to Old Trafford on Sunday, where Manchester United will be hoping to complete a league double over their city rivals for the first time in five years. With Ruben Amorim's side lacking a cutting edge up front and Pep Guardiola without the injured Erling Haaland, where will both managers look for solutions in attack?Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's football Manchester United writer Carl Anka and Manchester City writer Sam Lee to preview Sunday's derby. Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Carl Anka, Sam LeeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite running Liverpool close, it was a familiar feeling for David Moyes at Anfield, as Diogo Jota scored the only goal as Everton feel to defeat to their neighbours.Defeat to Liverpool makes it 22 visits to Anfield without tasting victory as a manager.But with upshoots of encouragement and the move to their new stadium on the horizon, do Everton have reasons to be optimistic?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Everton correspondent Paddy Boyland and senior football writer Oli Kay to discuss the impact Moyes' return to the blue half of Merseyside has had ahead of what could be a defining summer prior to their move to their new stadium.We want to hear about you and your podcast habits. Go to theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 to fill out a quick survey and be in with the chance of winning £/$100 Amazon vouchers.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Paddy Boyland and Oli KayExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.