The Athletic FC Podcast

Dan Bardell is joined by Tim Spiers, George Elek and bet365's Steve Freeth as Liverpool look to push on from their 7-0 thrashing of Man Utd, while Erik Ten Hag's side look for a response.In the title race, Man City once again play ahead of Arsenal with Pep Guardiola's side taking on Crystal Palace followed by Arsenal travelling to Fulham on Sunday.Down at the bottom Bournemouth welcome Liverpool, having already conceded nine to the Reds this season, Man Utd welcome Southampton and West Ham take on Aston Villa as the Hammers struggle to pull clear of danger.Produced by Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining Mark Chapman to talk through yet another Paris Saint-Germain Champions League exit is The Athletic's Peter Rutzler and french football expert Tom Williams.After the French giants limped out of Europe's top club competition there will be plenty of sneering and sniggering towards them, but why is that? And is it fair to do so?It's a result that forms more questions now than answers - what does the future of Mbappe, Messi, and Neymar look like now? Will their coach Christophe Galtier see through the rest of the season? And does this call for a complete change in approach by the club in how they build their squad? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Irving is joined by two writers from The Athletic’s who were at Stamford Bridge to see Chelsea knock Borussia Dortmund out of the Champions League - Liam Twomey & Simon Johnson.Is this the start of something for Graham Potter at Chelsea ?Or is it merely a stay of execution with the next defeat pushing him back to the brink of the sack with question marks over where the club is heading? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enzo Fernandez, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix, Ruben Dias, the list goes on... Boasting an academy record which is the envy of most clubs in world football, The Athletic's Stuart James was granted special access behind-the-scenes at Benfica's famed academy to find out what makes it so special...Alongside host Mark Chapman and Portuguese football expert Jack Lang, the panel examine Benfica's unique approach to talent ID, academy ethos, managing the expectations of so many aspiring young footballers and the mind-blowing size of their operation in Portugal.You'll also hear from a few of the academy coaches and technical director Pedro Marques on why the likes of Bernardo Silva are equally comfortable playing in attack and defence. Plus, how the fans feel about losing a home-grown superstar to the Premier League every year and how far they can go in this year's Champions League knockout stages.Produced by Adonis Pratsides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined from The Athletic by Adam Crafton also two of our writers who were at Anfield yesterday Oli Kay & our Liverpool writer James Pearce..Does it show United are still playing catch up with Liverpool or was it a freak result?What were the reasons behind Liverpool's performance and how should Man United manager Erik ten Hag respond? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wondered what really happens in a Premier League changing room? What triggers fallings out between footballers and managers? Fascinated by the nomadic lifestyle of modern players and what the constant relocating means for family members?This is The Real Footballer Show - and you are literally the first people to ever hear it.Joining host and broadcaster Jaydee Dyer and former West Ham, Wolves and Ipswich player Frank Nouble is special guest Anton Ferdinand to lift the lid on the cliques, spats and anxieties of being a footballer at the highest level. It's uncensored and unfiltered.If you like what you hear and think we should make more episodes, please get in contact by emailing bgreen@theathletic.com. And if you're a brand interested in sponsoring the show, also get in touch by emailing partnerships@theathletic.com.Enjoy. 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 Manchester City look to respond to Arsenal opening up a five-point lead in the Premier League.Chelsea welcome Leeds United to Stamford Bridge with the pressure ramping up on Graham Potter while Manchester United look for a first win at Anfield since 2016, while the Reds head into the game unbeaten in four without conceding.Produced by Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's r Rafa Honigstein & also Seb Stafford-Bloor to discuss the German Bundelsiga - perhaps the most exciting league in Europe this season.11 years since a team other than Bayern Munich were champions, this year the top four teams are separated by four points & four German teams in the last 16 of The Champions League..So why is the Bundesliga so strong at the moment & will it last? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining Mark Chapman is Jack Pitt Brooke and Tim Spiers to cover the past month at Tottenham Hotspur and what the future could yield for the club.In this episode the panel discuss the managerial situation, whether Antonio Conte will be there next season, and what exactly Cristian Stellini's role has been with the assistant filling in on the touchline - and overseeing excellent results.Plus with the announcement of another external partnership for the club, this time with Formula 1, we ask what is more important: the trophy cabinet or the brand?Produced by Abi Paterson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does Bukayo Saka need better protection from Premier League referees? Do Arsenal themselves rely too heavily on the 21-year-old, and, with the world at his feet, how seismic a moment is it in Arteta's 'process' that he has decided to commit his future to his boyhood club? Host Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton and Arsenal correspondent Amy Lawrence to discuss...How do you stop 'rotational fouling', where does he rank in terms of most-fouled PL players, do top players even want a rest and how central is he to Arsenal's renaissance? Plus, will he end up being a one-club man and why the comparisons with David 'Rocky' Rocastle are so poignant.Produced by Adonis Pratsides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.