The Athletic FC Podcast

Adam Leventhal returns to preview the five remaining fixtures of matchday 21. Liverpool head to Bournemouth on Sunday, and will have to cope with the red-hot Dominik Solanke. Can he make the difference against his former club, and could he be in line for a big move in the near future?Arsenal host Crystal Palace hoping to get back to winning ways after three straight defeats. Will their winter break have done their misfiring strikers some good? Elsewhere, Ivan Toney finally returns to the pitch as Brentford host Nottingham Forest; Sheffield United take on West Ham hoping to ignite their dismal season; and Brighton host Wolves to round out the games.Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: Luke Bosher, Jon Mackenzie, Jay HarrisProducer: John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After eight months away, after being banned for 232 betting offences, this weekend marks Ivan Toney’s return.Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Brentford writer Jay Harris and Senior Football writer Oli Kay to discuss how much the Bees have missed their talisman ahead of the second half of the campaign.David Ornstein shares the state of play in the transfer market regarding the striker before co-editor of Beesotted Billy ‘The Bee’ Grant reacts to the continued speculation over Toney future, fuelled in no small part by the player himself.Plus, ahead of Euro 2024 this summer, can he do enough to earn himself a spot in Gareth Southgate’s 23-man squad that will travel to Germany?Produced by Guy ClarkeAdditional Production by Mike StavrouExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jose Mourinho’s 'Roman reign' came to an abrupt end yesterday...Former captain Danielle de Rossi will now take charge of Roma until the end of the season.It’s almost 20 years on from that touchline sprint at Old Trafford & THAT Chelsea press conference... But is he still special? And what next for Jose Mourinho? Produced by Adonis PratsidesAdditional production: Guy Clarke & Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is close to a year — 49 weeks and counting — since the Premier League handed Manchester City a charge sheet with 115 breaches of its financial rules across NINE different seasons.Just yesterday, the Premier League brought charges against both Nottingham Forest - and for the second time this season - Everton... All before the reigning Premier League champions are to even see a hearing begin?So, what’s going on? Is PSR (Profitability & Sustainability Rules) really about promoting sustainability, meeting arbitrary deadlines or maybe just maintaining the status quo? And is the Everton ruling to blame for an unusually quiet January transfer window?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's David Ornstein, Adam Crafton and Matt Slater.Produced by Adonis PratsidesAdditional Production by Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There was a sense of inevitability at St. James' Park on Saturday when Kevin De Bruyne entered the arena.So why can't Newcastle United, the-so-called “richest club in the world” match Manchester City spending power and have their own selection of superstars to call on from the bench?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Newcastle United writer Chris Waugh and Mark Critchley to analyse.Produced by Guy ClarkeAdditional Production by Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Leventhal returns to preview matchweek 16 of the Premier League.Five fixtures over the weekend are headlined by Man United vs Tottenham. Will we get a glimpse of new Spurs’ signings Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin, and will they hit the ground running?Elsewhere champions Man City travel up to Newcastle. Both teams won comfortably in the FA Cup last week, with City welcoming back Kevin De Bruyne from a 5-month absence. Can he make the difference in the title race?The remaining fixtures are a 6-pointer at the bottom between Luton and Burnley, a west-London derby as Fulham go to Chelsea, and second-place Aston Villa visiting Goodison Park.Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: Nick Miller, Jon Mackenzie, Jacob WhiteheadProducer: John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two years on from Senegal ending their wait for glory, AFCON returns this weekend.Does this year's tournament represent Mohamed Salah’s best chance to finally lay claim to being King of the Continent?Meanwhile, Andre Onana, one of Africa’s most high profile players, once again sees his international career in jeopardy.Ayo Akinwolere is joined by former Ivory Coast defender Sol Bamba as well as The Athletic's Jay Harris, Mark Critchley and Thom Harris.Produced by Guy ClarkeAdditional Production by Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last summer, the list of high-profile players leaving some of Europe’s biggest clubs to join the Saudi Pro League seemed to get longer by the day…What started with a multi-million-pound pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo in December 2022 soon expanded to include the likes of Karim Benzema, Ruben Neves and of course, Jordan Henderson.Well, now it seems Henderson wants out - and to return to the Premier League.But it may not be that easy and could come at a significant cost... So what would an exit from the Saudi Pro League cost Henderson?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Sarah Shephard & Oliver Kay.Produced by Adonis Pratsides & Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So Tottenham have agreed a loan deal for RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner.A player who  - it’s fair to say - was a disappointment at Chelsea.But if the German international fits the profile and style Spurs are looking for..Can Ange Postecoglou be the one to unlock Werner’s potential? Host Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic’s Spurs writer Jack-Pitt Brooke, Liam Twomey who as one of our Chelsea writers was there to witness Werner’s time at Stamford Bridge and European writer Seb Stafford-Bloor who is based in Germany.Produced by Mike Stavrou.Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal were beaten 2-0 at home yesterday by Liverpool in the FA Cup. That was despite creating a number of good chances and having relative ‘control’ of the game throughout...Something Gunners' fans haven’t seen since… well, the West Ham game last week! So, how worrying is this pattern for Arteta?And what’s their way out - Is it through coaching? Or in the January transfer window? Host Adam Leventhal is joined by former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke and The Athletic's James McNicholas to discuss.Produced by Adonis PratsidesExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.