The Totally Football Show with James Richardson

Join Julien Laurens, a French football journalist, Michael Cox, a tactical analyst, and Duncan Alexander, a data expert, as they delve into the intriguing career of Nicolas Anelka. They discuss his impressive rise from a youth academy to a renowned player across multiple leagues. The conversation explores Anelka's tumultuous relationships with managers and teammates, his notorious reputation, and the legacy he leaves behind. Highlights include unforgettable moments, emotional milestones, and why he was considered an enigma in the world of football.

Laurie Whitwell, Manchester United reporter for The Athletic, joins the discussion following the shocking defeat of Manchester United to Grimsby Town in the League Cup. They explore the implications of this loss on United's management and tactics. The podcast also previews the exciting Premier League clash between Liverpool and Arsenal, highlighting their contrasting styles and recent performances. Other match previews include Tottenham's strong start against Bournemouth and the uncertainty surrounding Manchester City's form against Brighton.

Julien Laurens, a renowned French football journalist, Seb Stafford-Bloor, an insightful football writer, and James Horncastle, an expert on Italian football, share their thoughts on the latest European matches. They discuss Barcelona's thrilling comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2, while highlighting McTominay's strong performance leading Napoli. Bayern Munich's dominance in Germany is illustrated with Harry Kane's spectacular hat-trick, and the chaotic but spirited atmosphere of Ligue 1 is examined, particularly Marseille's resurgence against PSG.

This week, football writer Daniel Storey dives into the Nottingham Forest situation, while football analyst Adrian Clarke shares insights on Arsenal's resounding 5-0 victory and the buzz surrounding 15-year-old prodigy Max Dowman. Commentator Mark Carey discusses Fulham’s promising start against Manchester United and the challenges facing them. The discussion also touches on Tottenham's impressive win against Manchester City, Everton’s debut victory at their new stadium, and the struggles of West Ham and Nuno’s Forest.

Guest Raphael Honigstein, a distinguished German football journalist, dives into the iconic legacy of Jurgen Klinsmann. They reminisce about Klinsmann’s dazzling Premier League debut and his unforgettable World Cup triumphs. The discussion transitions to culinary delights, with anecdotes about food culture weaving through sports history. Honigstein also sheds light on the challenges Klinsmann faced as a coach, exploring his vision and the evolution of German football during his leadership. Prepare for a mix of nostalgia, humor, and insightful football anecdotes!

Join football writer Dom Fifield, a Palace fan, and ESPN Brazil journalist Natalie Gedra as they break down the significant transfer news surrounding Eberechi Eze, who seems set to join Arsenal, leaving Spurs in the lurch. They discuss the implications for Arsenal's title hopes and Tottenham's squad challenges. The duo also previews the mouthwatering Newcastle vs. Liverpool clash, delving into Alexander Isak's potential impact. Expect lively banter as they analyze matchups, tactical dynamics, and notable weekend fixtures.

In this engaging discussion, experts Julien Laurens, Pol Ballús, James Horncastle, and Seb Stafford-Bloor dissect the early action in European football. PSG starts strong but face rising competition from Marseille and Monaco. They explore La Liga's dynamics, with Barcelona poised as favorites over a revamped Real Madrid. In Serie A, injury woes for Romelu Lukaku present opportunities for challengers to Napoli's title. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich, boosted by Harry Kane, looks to solidify its Supercup triumph amid a competitive Bundesliga landscape.

Daniel Storey, Chief football writer for The Eye, and Adrian Clarke, a football pundit specializing in Arsenal, dive into the latest Premier League drama. They unpack Arsenal's gritty win at Old Trafford and the tactical brilliance behind Man City's depth, even when missing key players. Liverpool’s chaotic triumph over Bournemouth raises eyebrows about their defensive strategy. Plus, insights on Nottingham Forest's revival and Sunderland's strong start spice up the discussion as they analyze the shifting dynamics of the league.

Welcome to your Saturday morning dose of Totally!This is a space where we let our figurative hair down and free ourselves from the relentless merry-go-round of this season. We’ll have nostalgia, we'll have trivia, we'll have whatever nonsense tickles our fancy really. And we'll be taking a look back through the annuls into the week in football that was through the years... Today we're taking a trip down memory lane and charting the remarkable life and career of Mario Balotelli - who happened to celebrate his 35th birthday on the 12th of August. A great entertainer, social media legend, fireworks enthusiast, bib denier, misunderstood character, sensational striker and hugely significant cultural figure - from Inter to Genoa and everywhere in between. Produced by Lucy Oliva.RUNNING ORDER:• PART 1: Welcome to Totally Extra - Cotswolds recommendations, sausage pasta, road trips and a quiz question (00.40)• PART 2: This week in football - Triffic Niko Kranjčar, the start of the Premier League and crazy lockdown scorelines (12.00) • PART 3: Why Always Me? The life and times of Mario Balotelli (16.35)• PART 4: AOB, James' hotspot password and a correct answer? (55.00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining the discussion are Daniel Storey, a writer for The Athletic; Tim Spiers, a football journalist; Chris Weatherspoon, a Mackem and finance expert; and Laurie Whitwell, a reporter who covered Manchester United's pre-season. They tackle Sunderland's return to the Premier League and their potential to stay afloat. The conversation also dives into Manchester United's struggle for improvement and whether they can defy expectations. Other teams like Everton and Brighton are highlighted for their exciting strategies and possible upsets in the upcoming season.