The Athletic FC Podcast

In 2019 Manchester United signed defender Harry Maguire for a world-record £80m for a defender, four years later he’s set to join West Ham in a £30m deal.Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton and Mark Critchley to assess where it went wrong for Maguire at Old Trafford, his importance to England ahead of Euro 2024 and why moving to West Ham could rejuvenate the 30-year-old.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Raphael Honigstein and Walk On podcast host Tony Evans, to take a closer look at how and why Liverpool went from being the best side in the Premier League at signing players… to being not so great...Will the deal for Romeo Lavia get over the line and what's the hold up? And how have three different sporting directors in 18 months impacted Jurgen Klopp's position at the club.Produced by Adonis PratsidesAdditional Production: Guy Clarke, Mike Stavrou & Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Peter Rutzler and Adam Crafton to discuss latest round of drama at Paris Saint Germain...Nine new faces in, including rising star Goncalo Ramos - Why didn’t one of the Premier League sides who need a striker make a move for him? Are PSG actually preparing for life after Mbappe and could Neymar still leave this summer as well? Plus, how to assess a decade of investment from QSI and manager Luis Enrique's new-look team on the eve of the new season?Produced by Adonis PratsidesAdditional Production: Jay Beale & Mike StavrouExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two years on from re-joining Chelsea in a club-record move, Romelu Lukaku has no future at Stamford Bridge - but where will he be playing this season?Host Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Chelsea writer Simon Johnson and Italian football writer James Horncastle to assess what happens next for the Belgian.Inter Milan may have been priced out of a move, arch rivals Juventus linger with a possible swap move involving Dusan Vlahovic on the cards, meanwhile are Chelsea any closer to signing Moises Caicedo?Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester City have agreed a €90m (£77.6m, $98.6m) deal to sign their top summer target Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig, ahead of looking to begin a fourth successive Premier League title charge.Host Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Manchester Football writer Mark Critchley and former City defender Nedum Onouha to discuss what it takes to play for Pep Guardiola, how much the move strengthens the champions and ponder who is capable of stopping their domestic domination.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adrian Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So Erik ten Hag has been able to strengthen his squad in three key positions this summer already but will the arrival of Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund help Manchester United close the gap to Man City?Host Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton and Carl Anka, to discuss what United have learnt from their recent mistakes in the transfer market, why they didn't pull out all the stops for Harry Kane, replacing David de Gea and the protracted sale of the football club.Produced by Adonis PratsidesAdditional production: Mike Stavrou & Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adrian Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do Arsenal want to sign Brentford’s David Raya and what does it mean for current number one (and fan-favourite) Aaron Ramsdale? Host Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton & Arsenal writer Art de Roché, to dig into David Ornstein's exclusive...Did something happen on tour in the US? Can a closer look at the Arsenal Women's team shed some light on Arteta's thinking and is there ever actually room for two top goalkeepers at a football club? Professional goalkeeper coach and former player David Preece shares his perspective.Plus, our data writer Mark Carey takes a closer look at Raya's numbers from last season.Produced by Adonis PratsidesAdditional Production: Jay Beale, Mike StavrouExecutive Producer: Adrian Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jay Harris introduces The Athletic's new podcast series, Access All Areas: Brentford. It's a behind the scenes look at how to build a modern Premier League team.In this episode - episode 2 of the series - Jay talks to those responsible for Brentford's famed recruitment strategy to detail how they scout and how they convince players that west London is a place for them to thrive.To listen to the full series click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What you're about to hear is a sample of our new three part narrative series; The Making of Messi.With arguably the greatest player of all time set to make his debut in MLS on Friday, we charted his extraordinary career on and off the pitch.In this episode, we explore the complexities and nuances of the deal that brought him to the US and what legacy he will leave behind.If you'd like to hear the rest, follow this link to listen wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/godeeperIllustration credits: Marcus Marritt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Ornstein and Adrian Clarke join host Adam Leventhal to reveal how Arsenal won the race to sign Declan Rice...How serious were Pep Guardiola and Manchester City about signing him, how Arteta helped to convince the West Ham captain and how Arsenal can afford to keep spending in transfer market.Plus, why Arsenal became determined to sign him, where he'll fit into the manager's midfield plans for next season and how West Ham will attempt to use their £100M+ windfall to replace him.Produced by Adonis Pratsides & Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.