The Sky Sports Football Podcast

Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher discuss who the greatest player in world football is; Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Plus, do Liverpool have the best starting XI in the Premier League and Everton beat Burnley with help from a stunning goal by Andros Townsend.

Alice Piper is joined by Sky Sports football writers Charlotte Marsh and Ron Walker to discuss the big talking points from the weekend's action as Premier League football returns after the international break.PART 1 | Ronaldo's second debut assessed, what did he change? Can he lead Man Utd to the title? Will Newcastle fans' protest against Steve Bruce change anything? (0:48)PART 2 | Is Romelu Lukaku the 'complete striker'? Are Chelsea showing their title credentials, and what does a first win - and goal - of the season do for Mikel Arteta? (16:58)PART 3 | What does Liverpool's bright start mean for their title challenge? Have Spurs hit a bump? And who's caught the eye in the opening weeks of the season? (32:17)

Football is vulnerable to climate change, just as much as it was to Covid-19 which caused seasons to be suspended with no matches played for months. The dangers are different, but just as stark if not more so. In this episode, Sky Sports presenter David Garrido talks to PSG’s Arianna Criscione and Juventus player Sofie Junge Pedersen about how extreme weather can have such a huge impact and, at worst, put lives at risk on the football pitch. Criscione and Pedersen also come up with some creative solutions to help fight the climate crisis, as it’s clearly something where football has a big role to play. And find out which tournament they reckon should make its name as “climate-purposeful”… By David Garrido

David Jones is joined in the studio by Jamie Redknapp and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to discuss Liverpool's comfortable 3-0 win over Leeds which saw Mo Salah join the Premier League 100 club but was marred by a unfortunate injury to Liverpool's Harvey Elliott.

Graeme Souness and Darren Bent discuss Chelsea 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League. Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel explains why he withdrew new signing Saul Niguez at half-time, Villa boss Dean Smith speaks about his disappointment with mistakes that his side made and Romelu Lukaku explains what it means to finally score at Stamford Bridge.

Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness joins the Essential Football Podcast as Alice Piper, Peter Smith and Richard Morgan discuss the big talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend.PART 1 | Souness’ verdict on Leeds vs Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk’s comeback, and Elland Road memories PART 2 | Chelsea’s title chances, what Saul Niguez brings to the team, and how international issues will affect Chelsea and Aston VillaPART 3 | What can we expect from Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United? And is Gareth Southgate’s first choice England XI now set in stone?

After spending most of his career keeping strikers out, Carlo Cudicini is now reaching out to the planet’s two most talented footballers…and he’s after their kit! Sky Sports presenter David Garrido chats to the now-loan player technical coach at Chelsea who has his own organisation, Footballers4Change. Its objective is to collect the match-worn shirts and boots of players (and indeed their families’ clothes) to extend the lifecycle of those items and raise money for charity in the process. Cudicini gives us his views on fast fashion, and talks us through some of the gear donated by the likes of Gareth Southgate, Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard, including a very specific use for the Belgian’s size 6 trainers! By David Garrido

Going plant-based is one of the latest food revelations, and footballers in particular are discovering the benefits of cutting meat, dairy and fish from their diets. In this episode, Sky Sports presenter David Garrido speaks to 2 big advocates of veganism, AS Roma centre-back Chris Smalling and Arsenal defender Jen Beattie on how it has helped them improve as athletes, especially around injuries. It’s also informed their life viewpoint on sustainability and encouraged them to take up other climate-positive activities in order to protect the planet. And in this ep, a plan is hatched to get one of the biggest managers in world football to join them for a plant-based feast over at Chris’ place for the sequel… By David Garrido

We start our series with Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford – it’s the first time that he has spoken at length on the topic of climate change. In this exclusive chat with Sky Sports presenter David Garrido, Bamford explains what his motives are for fighting against the climate emergency, just how he came up with the “Bolt for Planet” celebration, despite what Aston Villa fans thought he was saying with the gesture! The 28-year-old talks openly about making changes to his life to reduce his own carbon footprint, how it’s ok to be an imperfect environmentalist, how he tries to inspire the youth of tomorrow, and find out which rival striker has been such an inspiration for him to continue his impactful work. By David Garrido

Alice Piper is joined by Peter Smith and Gerard Brand to run through the weekend's Premier League action after a memorable week on and off the pitch. PART 1 | Will Cristiano Ronaldo play every game for Man Utd? Win at Wolves analysed, and is midfield still a problem for Solskjaer? (01:15) PART 2 | Arsenal's wretched defending at City analysed; who is to blame for the latest crisis? What does Arteta need to show to keep his job? Do City even need a striker? (25:23) PART 3 | Are Chelsea's handball complaints justified? Blues' draw at Liverpool assessed, plus: Everton, Spurs and Conor Gallagher impress (41:16)