The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

The Athletic's Michael Cox and Tom Worville join host Ali Maxwell to assess whether or not 'assists' tell the whole story when it comes to measuring a players creativity... The trio investigate how expected assists (xA) and other metrics can provide a clearer picture, if Pogba stands any chance of breaking the Premier League assists record this season, as well as, to what extent set-pieces 'stat-pad' for the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Tom Worville and Mark Carey join host Ali Maxwell to assess the big winners from the summer transfer window on the continent. How AC Milan got back into the Champions League after an eight-year hiatus, why Norwich are better prepared for a season in the top flight this time around and more...Plus, Mark elaborates on the innovative new ways in which data can be used to assess how consistent some of the world's top forwards really are. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Michael Cox and Tom Worville join host Ali Maxwell to assess the many ramifications of one of the biggest Premier League transfer stories in history - as Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Manchester United...Does he slot into Solskjaer's team as a pure no.9 and how will his arrival impact the likes of Mason Greenwood and notably, Paul Pogba from a tactical perspective? Will it become a struggle to accommodate a 'passenger' in big games this season and how might he have fit in at Pep's Manchester City had United not intervened? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Michael Cox and Tom Worville join host Ali Maxwell to discuss an interesting trend in the number of Premier League right-backs, simply not playing at right back...Our tactical trio discuss Trent Alexander-Arnold's narrow positioning against Burnley, a marauding Reece James at the Emirates, Matty Cash's long-throws, Livramento's debut and if Kyle Walker is better technically that he gets credit for? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Michael Cox and Tom Worville open their notebooks and join host Ali Maxwell for their reflections on the opening weekend of a new Premier League season... The differences between Everton and Arsenal's crossing tactics, Mason Greenwood and Adam Armstrong's finishing, plus, Chelsea's "total dominance" and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Michael Cox and Tom Worville join host Ali Maxwell to assess each Premier League club's chances for success this season. How might European football impact on West Ham's campaign, are Liverpool and Man United genuine title contenders, will Bielsa's Leeds be immune to 'second season syndrome' and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Michael Cox, Tom Worville and Ali Maxwell are here to gently ease you back in to the new football season as they take a look at how the transfer market and player recruitment is changing - with teams increasingly on the lookout for young talent could those teams who gamble on a slightly older vintage gain an edge? How have the combined forces of the Euros and the ongoing pandemic affected the market this summer?And after Messi finally won an international tournament with Argentina this summer we take a look at the curious position the great man now finds himself in - he's out of contract but undoubtedly still Barcelona's best player, but is he still the world's best player?We look at his numbers to assess his current role and cast an eye over the contenders lying in wait to take over his status at the pinnacle of the game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Michael Cox, Tom Worville and Ali Maxwell open the Euros notebook for the last time in order to reflect on the final between England and Italy and work out how the game was won and lost.We look at England's cautious approach after going ahead so early, how the midfield of Verratti and Jorginho dominated possession, the substitutions and tactical decisions from Southgate & Mancini and of course the penalty shoot-out that ultimately decided the tournament.We also reflect on Euro 2020 as a whole and pick our alternative team of the tournament. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Michael Cox, Tom Worville and Ali Maxwell open the Euros notebook for the penultimate time as they look back at two contrasting but equally thrilling semi-finals and then look ahead to Sunday's final of England against ItalyWill the Italians dominate midfield? Will England's pace on the flanks be the difference for them? These questions and more answered as we preview the game from every possible tactical angle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Michael Cox, Tom Worville and Ali Maxwell open the Euros notebook once again for a look back at the key tactical moments from the quarter-finals and look ahead to the semi-finalsWill Southgate change England's system again or will we see a similarly high-pressing intense approach that vanquished Ukraine? Could Denmark switch their outstanding right-footed left-back to the right side to take advantage of Luke Shaw's surges forward?And who will come out on top in the battle of the possession obsessed midfields of Spain and Italy? Could Italy's dependable centre-back pairing of Chiellini and Bonucci be the difference compared to Spain's haphazard duo of Pau Torres and Aymeric Laporte? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.