The Athletic FC Podcast

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 AkinwolereWith: Dermot Corrigan and Phil HayExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 AkinwolereWith: Liam Twomey and Phil HayExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 AkinwolereWith: Laurie Whitwell and Mark CritchleyExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 LeventhalWith: Tim Spiers, Nick Miller, Michael Cox, James PearceExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Tottenham on the lookout for potential new investors this week has seen speculation intensify around the possibility of Amanda Staveley, who brokered the Saudi Public Investment fund takeover of Newcastle United, setting her sights on Spurs.But would Spurs be able to spend enough to make a difference on the pitch?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic Matt Slater and Jack Pitt-Brooke to discuss Tottenham’s need for external funding, the role of Daniel Levy and how any investor would fit into the current power dynamic at Spurs as well as assessing the type of profile that would suit them.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Matt Slater and Jack Pitt-BrookeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jurgen Klopp has a new job, but it’s not in management.The former Liverpool manager begins work as Red Bull’s head of global soccer from January 1, 2025.So how has a football ‘romantic’ ended up working for one of the world’s biggest corporations?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Seb Stafford-Bloor and Simon HughesExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 games into the La Liga season it’s Barcelona who sit top, after a convincing 5-1 demolition of Sevilla on Sunday.With Bayern Munich and Real Madrid to come, this week looks set to test Barca’s newfound resolve under Hansi FlickSo, are Barcelona back?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's La Liga writer Dermot Corrigan to discuss Flick's start to life in Barcelona as well as their financial position before Barcelona writer Pol Ballus drops in having been at the manager's media conference ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.Reading Barcelona’s accounts – and why a ‘€12m profit’ is actually a €91m lossHost: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Dermot Corrigan and Pol BallusExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Declan Rice said after Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend, the team are making "silly mistakes”.So, can Arsenal still be title contenders if they keep making these mistakes?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Phil Hay and James McNicholasExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Liverpool vs Chelsea.This should be an intriguing tactical battle - Arne Slot's reds boast the best defensive record so far, while Enzo Maresca's blues top the charts for xG from open play.Plus, we look at the fixtures elsewhere with drop ins from the club podcasts across our network.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Jon Mackenzie, Luke BosherExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jhon Duran just can't stop scoring!Another goal off the bench for Colombia during the international break makes adds to the six goals he already has for Aston Villa this season, with six of those coming off the bench.So how does he go from supersub to starter?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Aston Villa writer Jacob Tanswell and senior data analyst Mark Carey to delve into Duran's role, character and potential with the 20-year-old Colombian quickly emerging as one of the Premier League's most talked about players.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Jacob Tanswell and Mark CareyExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.