The Athletic FC Podcast

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 — Opening week! — we’re focusing on the ever-changing Chelsea, who host Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday.Plus, which Chelsea player would start for City, and a look at the fixtures elsewhere with drop ins from the club podcasts across our network.Host: Michael BaileyWith: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie, Liam Twomey, Sam LeeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After missing out on European football last season, it’s been a summer of uncertainty at Newcastle United.Changes in the boardroom have seen Eddie Howe lose a key ally in Amanda Staveley and with a new Sporting Director Newcastle are yet to truly flex their strength in the transfer market.So will Newcastle do the business they need and is the manager’s position vulnerable?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Newcastle United writer Chris Waugh and The Athletic FC's lead newsletter writer Phil Hay to analyse the changes at St James' Park with football correspondent David Ornstein sharing the latest on their pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Chris Waugh, Phil Hay and David OrnsteinExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liverpool have been rejected.So why has Martín Zubimendi turned down a move to Anfield under new manager Arne Slot?And are they at risk of being left behind by their busy rivals in the transfer market? Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Phil Hay and Simon HughesExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been a year since the departure of Harry Kane from Tottenham.But with record signing Dominic Solanke are Tottenham finally replacing their all-time record goalscorer?And what can we expect from Ange Postecoglou’s second season in charge at Spurs?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Jack Pitt-Brooke and Seb Stafford-Bloor Executive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New coaches, new CEO, new Sporting Director - you name it - it’s been a summer, of upheaval at Manchester United.That's before you even look at the transfer market!But will the changes be enough for the drastic, improvement needed after finishing 8th in the Premier League last season?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Manchester United writers, and Talk of the Devils regulars Laurie Whitwell and Carl Anka to assess how Erik Ten Hag's men are preparing for the new season, while David Ornstein drops in with his take on the club's dealings in the transfer window.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-of-the-devils-the-athletic-fcs-manchester-united-show/id1495072403?uo=4Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Laurie Whitwell and Carl AnkaExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pep Guardiola has entered the final year of his Manchester City contract.With the uncertainty around many players futures, and the 115 charges still looming, could this be the end of an era at Manchester City? Adam Levethal is joined by Phil Hay, lead writer for The Athletic FC newsletter as well as our Manchester City writer Sam Lee to reflect on their eventful U.S tour, Julian Alvarez's potential €95m move to Atletico Madrid, and discuss whether this could be Pep Guardiola's last season in Manchester.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Phil Hay and Sam LeeExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With just one win in five games, Chelsea’s US Tour hasn’t quite gone to plan, conceding four goals apiece to both Celtic and Manchester City along the way.New boss Enzo Maresca blamed ‘old habits’ for their defensive misgivings after his side’s latest defeat to Real Madrid.So, with the Premier League season just over a week away what should we expect from Chelsea? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Phil Hay, lead writer for The Athletic FC newsletter as well as our Chelsea writer Liam Twomey to analyse their pre-season preparations, discuss how Maresca has settled as well as touching on the ever-chaotic transfer business heading in and out of Stamford Bridge.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Phil Hay and Liam TwomeyExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fresh off an outstanding Euro 2024 campaign with Spain, Dani Olmo is close to a 60 million euro move to Barcelona.But given their ongoing financial issues, how are Barca affording this?And with plenty of stars already established in midfield, do they even need Olmo?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Pol Ballús and Tomás Hill López-MencheroExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s podcast we bring you our reporter Adam Crafton’s exclusive interview with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.With 561 goals for club and country and 12 league titles across four countries - he is truly one of football’s greats.You’ll hear the former Manchester United, PSG, Milan and Sweden striker open up on his childhood, his tattoos, how Jose Mourinho got the best out of him, and… viewing himself as ‘God’.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Adam CraftonExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite going close in each of the past two seasons, Arsenal have ultimately finished both empty-handed.So is this the season Mikel Arteta finally delivers the Premier League title?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Art De Roche as well as Handbrake Off regular and former Arsenal winger Adrian Clarke to assess Arsenal's title chances ahead of the new season.Italian football correspondent James Horncastle also shares his thoughts on the Gunners move for Riccardo Calafiori following his move to North London from Bologna.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Art De Roche and Adrian ClarkeExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducer: Guy ClarkeRelated articles:Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal’s new defender who got lifts from De Rossi and models his game on Stones - The AthleticThe five games Arsenal failed to score in last season: What lessons can be learned - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.