The Athletic FC Podcast

Coming up, hear how Unai Emery has made Aston Villa a force in the Premier League again. Also how he always seems to find a way to start so well wherever he’s in charge & what Villa can expect to happen next.Joining us for this one The Athletic’s Aston Villa writer Greg Evans, Spanish writer Dermot Corrigan who interviewed Emery for The Athletic last year and Art De Roche who covers Arsenal, one of Emery’s former clubs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is more than catching the eye this season.In fact he’s leaping higher than Ronaldo, out-scoring everyone in Serie A by some distance, and whilst he won’t be adding a Champions League medal this year, if teams want to bring him in, he’s going to cost an awful lot. So who is the man behind the mask that’s on everyone’s must-buy list? Mark Chapman is joined by Jon Mackenzie, Carl Anka, David Ornstein and James Horncastle.Produced by Abi Paterson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While Lukaku's disappointing loan spell at Inter is coming to an end, Chelsea's problems in front of goal show no signs of abating, so, is it time for a reunion? Host Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton and Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey to discuss...Was the infamous Sky Italia interview the last straw for then head coach Thomas Tuchel, and could Lukaku's return actually help the club's muddled recruitment strategy start to make sense on the pitch?Plus, James Horncastle reflects on the striker's time in Italy, why June 30th is such an important date in Todd Boehly's calendar and why the whole Lukaku situation may become an uncomfortably familiar one for supporters in the near future.Produced by Adonis Pratsides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic’s Adam Crafton & journalist and former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke.If last week at Anfield was perhaps a point gained, then yesterday at the London stadium was definitely two points dropped.Losing 'control' at crucial moments in games, have they lost control of the title race?How much has Arsenal's lack of depth in squad hurt them and what do they need to do in the summer to address this?The Athletic's David Ornstein brings the latest news on Arsenal's purist of Declan Rice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Bardell is joined by George Elek, Tim Spiers and bet365's Steve Freeth as Dean Smith prepares to take charge of Leicester City for the first time away at a red-hot Man City.Elsewhere two of the Premier League's form sides meet at Villa Park as Aston Villa take on Newcastle United, plus Matt Woosnam gives us the lowdown on Crystal Palace's resurgence under a returning Roy Hodgson.Produced by Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vincent Kompany has led Burnley back to the Premier League in impressive fashion but is he destined for even greater things?Mark Chapman is joined by the Athletic's Sam Lee & Andy Jones to assess Kompany's potential to join the ranks of the elite, with Pep Guardiola already talking him up as a future Manchester City manager. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Barcelona writer Pol Ballus and PSG writer Peter Rutzler to debate the possibility of Lionel Messi returning to Barcelona two years on from leaving.The panel assess how the La Liga side could afford a move for their former star, his relationship with the PSG supporters having been booed in recent home matches, while his name has been chanted at Camp Nou.Plus, what commercial impact could it have on PSG if he were to leave and if not Barcelona what other options are open to Messi?Produced by Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Man City may be firing on all cylinders in the Premier League but the Champions League has humbled them in the past. Host Ian Irving is joined by The Athletic's Rafa Honigstein and Sam Lee - ahead of their first-leg quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich - to discuss 'over-thinking it', Haaland's form and a familiar face in the opposition dugout...But has Thomas Tuchel, parachuted into Munich as he was at Chelsea in 2021, had enough time to mould Bayern Munich in his image, plus Pep's Bayern legacy, Cancelo-gate and if the treble is actually on?Produced by Abi Paterson and Adonis Pratsides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Premier League title race stepped up a notch following Sunday's game of the season contender at Anfield as Arsenal and Liverpool shared the spoils with two-all draw.So what is it about Anfield that causes teams to slip up or sense to go out the window? How much margin for error is there now for Arsenal and City? Ian Irving is joined by Adam Crafton and Oli Kay to assess the damage for Arsenal and state of play in the title race.Produced by Abi Paterson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Bardell is alongside George Elek, Tim Spiers and bet365's Steve Freeth ahead of the Easter Weekend's Premier League action.League leaders Arsenal head to Liverpool while Man City visit Southampton ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg with Bayern Munich.Meanwhile, the panel get into the latest managerial movements with Frank Lampard returning to Chelsea, plus, there's a check-in on the race for a top four finish with Newcastle moving into pole position.Produced by Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.