The Athletic FC Podcast

Since Chelsea’s takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake capital, the Blues have spent - unlike any other club bringing in the likes of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Felix.Despite their massive outlays, Chelsea announced a £128.4m profit for the year to June 2024.So how have they done it - and have they found another PSR loophole?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's football finance writer Chris Weatherspoon and Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey to discuss the Blues' latest accounts, sale of their women's team within the ownership group and assess how it will impact their summer transfer activity.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Chris Weatherspoon and Liam TwomeyProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

European champions Real Madrid were rocked by a riveting Arsenal display in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie last nightWith Madrid facing an uphill task in both the Champions League and La Liga - will they bring in more superstars this summer to bolster their squad?  And will Carlo Ancelotti still be the man to make it all gel together next season?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Guillermo Rai, Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero James McNicholasProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luis Enrique’s young and vibrant PSG side are turning heads with their exuberant brand of football.They’ve already wrapped up the Ligue 1 title with six games left to spare - and they face Aston Villa in the Champions League quarter-finals this week.So is Enrique one of the most underrated coaches of the modern era?And are PSG finally ready to win the Champions League?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Tom Williams, Dermot CorriganProducer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 10 years, 13 major honours and six Premier League titles Kevin De Bruyne is leaving Manchester City.So where does he rank amongst the best to play in the Premier League and how do City go about replacing him?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's football correspondent David Ornstein and Man City writer Sam Lee as they share their reaction to the news, reflect on the brilliance the Belgian has brought to the Premier League and assess how Pep Guardiola's side move on from his departure.Plus football data writer Thom Harris drops by to remember some of De Bruyne's most crucial moments in a Man City shirt.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: David Ornstein and Sam LeeProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester City travel to Old Trafford on Sunday, where Manchester United will be hoping to complete a league double over their city rivals for the first time in five years. With Ruben Amorim's side lacking a cutting edge up front and Pep Guardiola without the injured Erling Haaland, where will both managers look for solutions in attack?Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's football Manchester United writer Carl Anka and Manchester City writer Sam Lee to preview Sunday's derby. Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Carl Anka, Sam LeeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite running Liverpool close, it was a familiar feeling for David Moyes at Anfield, as Diogo Jota scored the only goal as Everton feel to defeat to their neighbours.Defeat to Liverpool makes it 22 visits to Anfield without tasting victory as a manager.But with upshoots of encouragement and the move to their new stadium on the horizon, do Everton have reasons to be optimistic?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Everton correspondent Paddy Boyland and senior football writer Oli Kay to discuss the impact Moyes' return to the blue half of Merseyside has had ahead of what could be a defining summer prior to their move to their new stadium.We want to hear about you and your podcast habits. Go to theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 to fill out a quick survey and be in with the chance of winning £/$100 Amazon vouchers.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Paddy Boyland and Oli KayExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the contracts of key players up for renewal in the not too distant future, and a big summer window on the horizon, Arsenal’s new sporting director Andrea Berta has plenty to do.So where do Arsenal’s priorities lie this summer?And could Viktor Gyokeres be the answer to their number 9 dilemma?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: David Ornstein & James McNicholasExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The days of Juventus winning Serie A season after season feel like they’re long gone.Last week, Thiago Motta was sacked with Juve languishing outside of the top four places. Add to that, they’re out of the Champions League and Coppa Italia as well.So… what has gone wrong at Juventus, and how do they rebuild?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Max Callegari & Carl AnkaExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou & Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tottenham Hospur have made Andoni Iraola their top target if they decide to make a managerial change.Having taken his side to the last eight of the FA Cup - and with a European finish still possible in the Premier League.What more can Iraola do at Bournemouth? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by football data writer Thom Harris who was at Bournemouth's FA Cup quarter-final defeat at the hands of Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke and The Athletic FC's newsletter lead writer Phil Hay to discuss the attraction of Spurs to Iraola as well as analyse the work the Spaniard has done on the south coast.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Thom Harris, Jack Pitt-Brooke and Phil HayExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Los Angeles, California, four nations collided in a football tournament with an inescapable geopolitical backdrop.Canada, Mexico and Panama have all found themselves in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump within his first 100 days in office, and they all met, with the US, in the Nations League finals.Adam Leventhal has been looking into what happens when the sport and politics are thrust together like this speaking with the players, stakeholders and fans to find out how they feel about the various subplots surrounding this tournament and the 2026 World Cup.How do the co-hosts put on a united front when so much of the talk is of division?Host: Adam LeventhalExec Prod: Abi PatersonFeaturing audio from: The Daily, The Headlines, CBS, NBC, CSPAN, ESPN Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.