The Athletic FC Podcast

Chelsea’s difficult season continued as Mauricio Pochettino’s side were held to a 2-2 draw by 10-man Burnley at the weekend..There’s division among the fans, a billion pound squad yet to gel, and growing pressure on the manager.So can Chelsea salvage something from their remaining games? And after all the instability this season will there be another summer of sweeping change?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Tim Spiers and our Chelsea writer Liam Twomey, who is also part of another podcast on this network: Straight Outta Cobham.Produced by Mike StavrouExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the pitch Liverpool have seized the initiative in the Premier League title race following their 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.Yet off the pitch, uncertainty lingers after Xabi Alonso confirmed last week he'll be staying with Bayer Leverkusen, ruling himself out of the running to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.So where do Liverpool turn next and who will be on their managerial shortlist to replace Klopp?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's David Ornstein and Oli Kay to discuss Alonso's decision to stay at Leverkusen before debating the process the Reds will go through with their new sporting director Richard Hughes to find a successor for Klopp.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadRelated Articles:What happened with Liverpool and Xabi Alonso – and where does the club look now? - The AthleticWould Roberto De Zerbi be the right kind of manager for Liverpool? - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s matchday 30 in the Premier League and the huge meeting of the weekend sees Manchester City host top-of-the-table Arsenal.Title rivals Liverpool, meanwhile, play Brighton and Manchester United go to Brentford.Host: Michael BaileyGuests: Nnamdi Onyeagwara, Jay Harris, Jon MackenzieProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most of us can only dream of owning a football club .But for the very rich it’s an opportunity towards power, influence and… even more moneySo who are the people that try to buy football clubs? And how do football’s authorities decide who gets the green light for a takeover? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton & Matt SlaterProduced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadRelated articles:The nobody who tried to buy Manchester United and Inter Milan by Adam Crafton‘Under every rock, we found a lie’: How the bid to be English football’s first black owner unravelled by Matt Slater Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A few months ago Kobbie Mainoo had not played a minute for his club at senior level let alone his country.Now at just 18, he is one of Manchester United’s best players - and after a man of the match performance for England last night Gareth Soutgate was full of praise So how has one so young been able to establish himself at the highest level so quickly? And in terms of Euro 2024, has it gone beyond Mainoo just being in the squad for England - does he need to start?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Manchester United writer Carl Anka, who is also on our Talk of the Devils podcast, data writer and part of The Athletic Football Tactics Podcast, Mark Carey, and Michael Bailey, who was at Wembley for us last night.Produced by Mike StavrouExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thiago Motta, the mastermind behind Bologna's unlikely push for a Champions League spot, is seen as one of the most impressive up-and-coming managers.With plenty of clubs looking for a new head coach this summer — could Motta be ready for a move to one of European football’s elite? Also where might Roberto De Zerbi end up & how much will his style influence the roles he could be offered?Produced by Jay Beale.Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For anyone that didn’t know about him already, 17-year-old wonderkid Endrick introduced himself with a winner against England at Wembley on Saturday.So how good is Brazil's next big thing - and where will he fit in at Real Madrid when he completes his move to the Bernabeu this summer?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Brazilian football writer Jack Lang, Nick Miller, who conducted Endrick's first interview with a UK media outlet as well as Junior Spanish Football Editor Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero to discuss.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadRelated articles:Endrick delivers a preview showing of history to leave Brazil salivating for more - The AthleticMeet 15-year-old Endrick: 5ft 6in tall, left-footed and the next big thing in Brazilian football - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s just 84 days until the European Championships begin in Germany - so we are looking ahead to Euro 2024, with a particular focus on two of the favourites; France & England.Host Michael Bailey is joined by England correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke, PSG and Fulham writer Peter Rutzler, plus data writer Thom Harris.Produced by Mike Stavrou. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following Nottingham Forest's four-point deduction for breaching the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Rules earlier this week, Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's senior football news reporter Matt Slater as well as Tim Spiers.The panel debate the sanction handed down to Forest, following on from Everton's own six-point deduction with the Goodison Park outfit set to receive a further punishment in due course.Plus, there's analysis of the impact of points deductions through the course of an ongoing season before assessing the impact the regulations could have on the summer's transfer window before getting to the role an independent regulator could have on the game.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadRelated articles:The season of asterisks – PSR rulings have created a Premier League campaign like no other - The AthleticWhat is the independent football regulator? Why has it been brought in? What powers does it have? - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once again Newcastle United will finish the season trophyless, and currently sit 10th in the Premier League.There have been question marks over finances, transfers and team selection.But if the belief in manager Eddie Howe remains strong, how long will the faith remain?Producer: Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.