The Athletic FC Podcast

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton & Matt Slater to detail the bids that have been submitted to buy Chelsea and which should be taken seriously.We’ll also talk Crystal Palace and the work being done behind the scenes that is bearing fruit on the pitch with Matt Woosnam.And our Spanish writer Dermot Corrigan was at the Bernabeu last night he’ll join us to share his thoughts on Real Madrid’s heavy defeat to Barcelona. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by bet365's Steve Freeth as FA Cup football returns - But is it something Everton could do without and why can't Chelsea read the room? Plus, how big really is the gap between Liverpool and Arsenal, Gelhardt's 'Rooney Moment', Kulusevski's impact and more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the announcement that Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the British Government and now the European Union, Mark Chapman & The Athletic's Matt Slater are joined by guests to discuss the likely effect on Chelsea football club and the wide-ranging impact such measures will have on sport in England.Our first guest is Bill Browder, founder and CEO of Hermitage Capital Management, was the largest foreign investor in Russia until 2005. Browder has been leading a campaign to expose allegations of corruption and human rights abuses that will lead to visa sanctions and asset freezes on those involved. Browder also explains exactly why oligarchs like Roman Abraomovich are being sanctioned and how it may harm President Putin.Later in the pod we’ll be joined by MP Clive Efford who was part of a committee that yesterday questioned leading figures about the role of Russian money in football and if the Government is concerned about investments in UK sport from other nations with poor human rights records. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

French football writer Tom Williams joins Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes on today's episode of The Athletic Football Podcast.They explore the reasons behind another European failure, and the booing of Messi and Neymar that followed this weekend.They also take a look at the underperforming stars, the struggles of manager Mauricio Pochettino in creating a harmonious dressing room, as well as the fan anger aimed at club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. They then debate what's next for the club, and how they move closer to winning the Champions League. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Simon Johnson & Matt Slater look at what the future might hold for Chelsea after owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned whilst trying to sell the club.We’ll also discuss Mo Salah's contract stand-off and an unwanted distraction at Liverpool with The Athletic's James Pearce.And as Everton’s struggles continue, Paddy Boyland - who covers the club for us - will detail the immediate and long term challenges at the club and for new director of football Kevin Thelwell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Dan Bardell and bet365's Steve Freeth are joined by The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke to preview Antonio Conte's first match against Manchester United, in the same week Pochettino's PSG crashed out of the Champions League... But where will they (and Tuchel for that matter) be next season?Also, how impressive has Bukayo Saka been, especially after the way his summer ended with England, how to properly assess the job Patrick Vieira has done at Crystal Palace, can Liverpool afford to rest Mo Salah, plus, Newcastle writer Chris Waugh on Newcastle's confidence-boost. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman & The Athletic's Matt Slater are joined by Jon Varney, CEO and lifelong fan of Premier League side Brentford, who were promoted to English football’s top flight this season after 74 years away. Jon shares details about the off pitch challenges of moving to a new stadium during the COVID pandemic, the new challenges to compete at the very top level and also the impact of the high profile signing of Christian Eriksen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes invite you to listen in on The Athletic's Simon Hughes, Jack Pitt-Brooke and Andy Mitten, in conversation about Manchester United's 1999 treble win - and the chances of either Liverpool or Man City being able to replicate it this season...The trio debate how 'lucky' Fergie's United were that year, the way the tables have turned since the 90s, as well as, the landscape of the game, squad-building, rivalry & player conditioning. Plus, what lessons the pre-eminent duo of the Premier League today might have learned from United's decline, particularly when the time comes to replace club-defining managers like Klopp and Guardiola. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton, David Ornstein & Laurie Whitwell to look at what United can do - if anything - to close the gap between themselves and Manchester City..And speaking of City, it looks like they are one of two possible destinations for Erling Haaland and a decision will be made in the coming weeks according to David OrnsteinAnd Oli Kay will be with us to discuss his piece on Roman Abramovich, the most high-profile but most private owner in English football. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by bet365's Steve Freeth to preview Ralf Rangnick's first Manchester Derby as speculation over their next new manager intensified again this week... Plus, how will Jesse Marsch attempt to follow Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds, does the post-AFCON version of Pepe have a real future at Arsenal and was the PGMOL's apology to Everton enough? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.