The Athletic FC Podcast

Ho-Ho-Hosts Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by bet365's Steve Freeth to preview the best of the Boxing Day action as Dan questions whether this is a good time for his beloved Villa to face Chelsea and the trio debate where both Newcastle and Manchester United most need to strengthen in January...Plus, Phil Hay chimes in on how badly Leeds need some players back from injury this Christmas, if Liverpool can sustain a title challenge without their African stars and whether the Newcastle project is a more interesting proposition than Brighton's? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mbappe, Pogba, Rudiger and countless other star players are out of contract next summer; The Athletic's senior writer Stuart James joins Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes to explain...How the pandemic has helped to create a truly 'unique' summer, the role of football agents in this trend and how clubs are trying to wrestle back some control. Plus, who the big winners and losers might be in January? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton to discuss the fallout from the Premier League's decision on Monday not to postpone a round of fixtures over Christmas despite the rise in COVID cases continuing to put matches in jeopardy.We're also joined by The Athletic's senior writer Dominic Fifield and our Leeds correspondent Phil Hay to look at Chelsea and Leeds - two of the clubs who have been badly affected by the recent chaos in different ways, and with it being announced that 16% of Premier League footballers are unvaccinated we attempt to work out the reasons why and whether football can do anything about this issue.All that plus a look ahead to the January transfer window and our panel pick their footballing highlights of 2021. 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 (what's left of) the weekend's Premier League action, as Covid outbreaks continue to disrupt the festive fixture calendar... Has 'Auba-gate' actually galvanised the Arsenal squad and can they take their impressive home form to Elland Road on Saturday? How much Kane would be worth if he tried to engineer another move away from Spurs in January and more on KdB's frighteningly good return to action. Plus, why Gareth Southgate MUST find a way to get Trent Alexander-Arnold into his England team for the World Cup next year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman & The Athletic's Matt Slater are joined by Edwin van der Sar to discuss his journey from being a hugely successful player to leading one of European football's most famous football clubs as CEO of AFC Ajax.We also hear how Edwin's work at Ajax is being noticed from other clubs including his former side Manchester United.In a wide ranging discussion, Edwin also details the every day challenges he faces in his role from recruitment, managing finances and creating an authentic connection with fans through the club's unique culture and Bob Marley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes are joined by Wolves writer Tim Spiers to shine a spotlight on his article: ‘A footballer’s guide to Christmas parties: The fines, fisticuffs, foreign trips and fancy dress,’ for which Tim enlisted the help of former Wolves winger Matt Jarvis... Standby for some outrageous tales from what Matt proudly describes as the 'biggest night on the footballing calendar', how the tradition has withstood scrooge-esque managers, a pandemic and the ever-increasing professional standards we've come to expect.Plus, Dan and Flo react to the news that Arsenal have stripped Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the captaincy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's David Ornstein & Adam Crafton to discuss the off field dispute that led to Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being dropped by Mikel Arteta.David & Adam will share what they know following COVID outbreaks at Aston Villa & Manchester United and explain what could happen next.And we’ll speak to The Athletic’s Crystal Palace writer Matt Woosnam after an important win for Patrick Vieira’s side against Everton at Selhurst Park with Connor Gallagher stealing the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell, George Elek and bet365's Steve Freeth reconvene to discuss their first impressions of the Ralf Rangnick era at Old Trafford, as Aaron Wan-Bissaka fails his first audition infront of his new manager... They also explore Kasper Schmeichel's big dip in form, how Brentford keep finding new ways to replace their star strikers, Man City's ominous recent PL form and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman & The Athletic's Matt Slater are joined by Rick Parry, Chairman of the English Football League to discuss regulation and sustainability at all levels of English football in the wake of the recommendations made in the Fan-Led Review. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes are joined by Women's football writer Jessy Parker Humphreys, to reflect on the many ways in which the sport's openly gay power-couples are creating a safe and 'joyous' environment for the LGBTQ+ community... They discuss how love-stories like Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis, the in-jokes, social media sub-culture and sincere efforts to celebrate the joy of 'queerness' in sport, has left the men's game in the dust. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.