The Athletic FC Podcast

Hosts Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by bet365's Steve Freeth for the first weekend preview of the new Premier League season... Can newcomers Brentford upset the odds against Arsenal on opening night, who will outscore who as Leeds face Manchester United, will Harry Kane start for Spurs against Man City and just how good is Liverpool's Harvey Elliott? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Oliver Kay to look at how Lionel Messi's transfer to PSG plays against the backdrop of financial fair play, nearly ten years after it was first introduced by UEFA. With Man City and PSG spending as much as they ever have, can we really say that FFP has worked? Has it merely supressed the middle and allowed the elite to break free? Is this latest spending spree just a quirk of the post-covid landscape?We are also joined by Luis Garcia Alvarez - football investor and equity portfolio manager for MAPFRE - for a look at the deal La Liga have done with investment fund CVC Capital - selling a 10% stake for 2.7 billion - and whether it is a good deal for the Spanish clubs. Is it the way forward for European sports leagues to grow revenues sustainably? Or is it dangerous to put your destiny in the hands of profit-minded investors? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes speak to The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell about Manchester United and the big question marks over their manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Laurie reveals some of the big surprises in writing the piece and he reflects on what the new season may hold for Paul Pogba, Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho and others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton, Dermot Corrigan and James Horncastle to take you inside Lionel Messi's extraordinary departure from Barcelona as he prepares to sign for PSG.Where does this move leave Barcelona on and off the pitch? Why has he chosen to join PSG? Is it about more than just the money? Can Pochettino handle the challenge of managing this squad of superstars? What does this say about the Qatari project after ten years in Paris? All this and more as we take you inside one of the most sensational transfers in football historyThe Athletic's Simon Johnson also joins us to look at Chelsea's £100m deal to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge from Inter Milan - is this the final piece of the puzzle for Tuchel? And does it mean Premier League title or bust in the eyes of Abramovich? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Mark Chapman & The Athletic's Matt Slater bring an Olympic theme to the Business of Sport and ask what is the value of chasing gold medals - £25 billion according to UK Sport - from a commercial social & political perspective.Guests include UK Sport CEO Sally Munday, Sport England's director of sport Phil Smith and British Cycling director Danielle Every to talk funding, the link between medals & participation, how sports make investment decisions, the value of the sports sector, bidding for major events & working under the huge shadow football casts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton, Sam Lee & Dom Fifield to bring you the latest on moves being made by Manchester City to sign both Harry Kane & Jack Grealish this summer.Plus how PSG could be about to test Manchester United's resolve to keep Paul Pogba & the latest on Chelsea's pursuit of their former striker Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Bardell is joined by The Athletic's Matt Slater & Oli Kay discuss the horrendous scenes at Wembley stadium ahead of the EURO 2020 final that saw fans clash with stewards and police as they attempted to break through gates for Sunday's historic sporting occasion.As Uefa open disciplinary proceedings into security breaches & Chair of DCMS select committee, Julian Knight MP, writes to FA demanding answers could this scupper England's chances of hosting the World Cup in 2030? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Bardell is joined by Flo Lloyd-Hughes and The Athletic’s Carl Anka & Jack Pitt-Brooke to react to a heartbreaking evening for England as they beaten by Italy in the final of EURO 2020 at Wembley.There is plenty of positives to discuss both on and off the pitch, but equally the panel reflects on the behaviour of some England fans and ask if Gareth Southgate got the big decisions wrong after getting so much right through the tournament. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Dan Bardell is joined by David Preece plus from The Athletic, Oli Kay & Jack Pitt-Brooke to preview England v Italy in the final of EURO 2020.They are also joined by The Athletic's Italian writer James Horncastle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Bardell reflects on England reaching the final of a major tournament for the first time since 1966. Alongside Dan - Flo Lloyd Hughes and The Athletic’s Carl Anka who were both at Wembley last night. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.