The Athletic FC Podcast

Joining Mark Chapman to look at the career of Paul Pogba as he turns 30 it's James Horncastle and Carl Anka.Here they discuss whether the France and Juventus midfielder is overrated, why he has such a bad reputation in England, and whether Eric Ten Hag is actually the Manchester United manager that Pogba has been crying out for.And with his return to Serie A not going to plan, it begs the question 'where next'? But why is the obvious answer not necessarily the correct one.***This episode is brought to you by Betterhelp, Visit betterhelp.com/athleticfootball today to get 10% off your first month.Produced by Abi Paterson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21-year-old Josko Gvardiol is a man in high demand. So, which European giant will win the race for his signature? Will Guardiola need to sell a defender first, can Todd Boehly's Chelsea keep spending and does Real Madrid's Champions League lure still trump the Premier League's riches? Host Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Pol Ballus and Simon Johnson to discuss...Plus, Rapha Honigstein explains Gvardiol's current contract situation at RB Leipzig, how big a transfer fee he would command and Nick Miller reveals what a former Croatia u21s coach told him about the man now being described as the 'Haaland of centre-backs'.Produced by Adonis Pratsides***This episode is brought to you by Betterhelp, Visit betterhelp.com/athleticfootball today to get 10% off your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

***This episode is brought to you by Betterhelp, Visit betterhelp.com/athleticfootball today to get 10% off your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.