The Athletic FC Podcast

Mark Chapman is joined by Senior Football Writer Oli Kay and Liverpool Reporter Andy Jones to analyse Liverpool's start to the new season. Whilst the European recovery continued at Anfield on Tuesday night, seeing off Rangers 2-0, the Reds remain 11 points off the pace in the Premier League ahead of Sunday's visit to league leaders Arsenal.We explore the on-pitch issues that have led to Jurgen Klopp's side struggling to build momentum this season as well as explore the off-pitch transition within the recruitment team.Having replaced Michael Edwards as Sporting Director in the summer, Julian Ward oversaw Mohamed Salah's contract extension, the sale of Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich as well as the potentially club-record arrival of Darwin Nunez, but have the Reds done enough in the transfer market to keep pace with Man City? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey and German Football expert Raphael Honigstein, to explore RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku's prospective move to Chelsea in the summer... Where he would fit in, the inevitable questions about 'Bundesliga tax', whose feathers will be ruffled in Potter's existing squad, a potential attacking duo of Nkunku and Lukaku and why the new owners have elected to pay over the odds now, rather than wait til next Spring.Plus, an assessment of his strengths, character, form and whether the next superstar to arrive in the Premier League from the Bundesliga, will ultimately turn out to be more Haaland or Werner? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's football correspondent David Ornstein. They discuss Man City's demolition of United with The Athletic's Sam Lee with news on a new contract on the cards for Phil Foden.The Athletic's Wolves writer Steve Madeley tells has all the details as to why Bruno Lage was sacked and we hear how the influence of agent Jorge Mendes at the club who could be lined up as the Wolves manager.David also has news on Chelsea's pursuit of RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Dan Barnes, Carl Anka & Roshane Thomas in conversation about Taking The Knee - the gesture was popularised ahead of games in England following the death of George Floyd in the USA.What purpose has taking the knee served? What if anything has changed? And why does it make some people so angry? What should happen next? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by The Athletic's Tim Spiers and Bet 365's Steve Freeth to get stuck in to a massive weekend of Premier League football, with the North London derby, the Manchester derby and a crunch encounter in the East Midlands between Leicester and Nottingham Forest the pick of the bunch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Iriving is joined by The Athletic's data writer Maram AlBaharna & former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke to explain the numbers and facts behind Granit Xhaka's journey to leading his side to the top of The Premier League having been close to leaving and the focus of fierce criticism in the past. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Irving is joined by Adam Leventhal and David Walker to talk about Watford's 17th head coach of the Pozzo era.On Monday this week in the space of 15 minutes, Watford announced the departure of Rob Edwards and the arrival of Slaven Bilic. It's not new but this time things felt different, and this time Watford fans are angry. Listen to get the inside story on how the club looks and to try to get inside the mind of Watford's trigger happy owner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Irving is joined by the Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke and Oli Kay to reflect on Monday night's 3-3 draw at Wembley between England and Germany.It was a spirited comeback for Gareth Southgate's side but big question marks remain over the inclusion of Harry Maguire, whether Foden fits into this system, whether Bellingham has nailed down a starting berth, whether Saka should start, and why Trent Alexander-Arnold is seemingly out in the cold, to name but a few.All these issues and more discussed, plus JPB and Oli pick their starting XIs for England's opening world cup encounter against Iran. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Premier League legend Eric Cantona sits down with The Athletic's Adam Crafton to discuss a range of topics including his offer to become President of Manchester United, his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson, his thoughts on David Beckham's promotion of the World Cup in Qatar the possibility of World War and his connection with England.Eric also shares the inspiration behind that iconic goal celebration, that kick and why he is both humble & arrogant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by the Athletic's Tim Spiers and Bet 365's Steve Freeth for a look ahead to a big weekend of international football which will feature significant tests for Gareth Southgate's England and Rob Page's Wales just two months out from the world cup.Will Southgate put his faith in Bellingham? Will out of form Maguire and Shaw retain their starting spots? Who takes the no.1 shirt in Pickford's absence?The international break also gives us the opportunity to reflect on the Premier League, so the panel cast their eye on how the title race and relegation battles are shaping up after seven games. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.