The Daily Football Briefing

On today's DFB: Are Liverpool going to be ok without a big money signing? Is it a worry that they haven't made one? We've borrowed James Pearce from Walk On. Plus, we ask Chris Waugh from Pod on the Tyne where Newcastle are with their pursuit of Marc Guehi...and could they be the dark horses this year? It's pretty much just me asking that one. Plus, what happened in those European qualifiers and were there any shocks in the League Cup?Need something to read? Mark Carey has done a long read on the tactical evolution of the Premier League and it's so well written and accessible that even I understand it. Just click the link in the episode description.https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5695766/2024/08/13/premier-league-tactical-development/Got something to say? I bet you have. Post it on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple.Presenter: Iain MacintoshWith: James Pearce, Chris WaughProducer: Steve Hankey

On today's DFB: Will there ever be a day when we ask Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey how it's going and he says, "Yeah, it's pretty quiet actually." Thank goodness he's here to help out. Laurie Whitwell is on too, he's got the latest on Manchester United's shopping trip to Bavaria. Plus, what happened when Luton met Burnley? Is Vinicius Junior going to Saudi Arabia? And who was the first EFL manager to leave his job?Need something to read? Adam Crafton had a one-on-one with Wolves manager Gary O'Neil and it's a fascinating insight into the mindset of one of the Premier League's most underrated managers. Just click the link in the episode description. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5691699/2024/08/12/premier-league-wolves-oneil-interview/Got something to say? I bet you have. Post it on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple.Presenter: Iain MacintoshWith: Liam Twomey, Laurie WhitwellProducer: Charlie Jones

USA win Gold in France, City edge out United at Wembley, Schalke are still inexplicably all over the place, Mourinho gets a first league win, Leeds and Portsmouth go goal crazy, Plymouth get battered and oh, so much more. Europe's league's are slowly firing back up again. You need this podcast in your life just to keep up with it all.Need something to read? Casemiro might have a future at Manchester United after all. That's what Laurie Whitwell says anyway, and he knows his stuff.Got something to say? I bet you have. Post it on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple.Presenter: Iain MacintoshWith: Sam LeeProducer: Abi Paterson 

On today's DFB: Chelsea have been busy in the transfer market. Liam Twomey joins us to explain what's occurring. The Olympics are wrapping up this weekend, Meg Linehan has been hanging out with the USWNT. And the Community Shield is on Saturday. Carl Anka from Talk of the Devils pops in to let us know his thoughts.Need something to read? James McNicholas has written a masterful account of Mikel Arteta's first five years. You'll love it, give it a click immediately. Well...when you've listened to the show, at least.https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5681537/2024/08/07/ange-postecoglou-interview-tottenham-spurs/Got something to say? I bet you have. Post it on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple.Presenter: Iain MacintoshWith: Liam Twomey, Meg Linehan, Carl AnkaProducer: Mike Zimmermann

On today's DFB: Who's this Martin Zubimendi then? The word on the street, by which I mean David Ornstein, is that Liverpool are gfoing to make him the first signing of the Arne Slot era. And is everything okay with Leicester City? Rob Tanner is not so sure. And finally, ahead of what looks like a very interesting season in Serie A, James Horncastle gives us the low down on the new look AC Milan.Need something to read? Seb Stafford Bloor has been following Spurs around Japan and South Korea. Check out his marvellous account of it all by clicking this link.https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5681537/2024/08/07/ange-postecoglou-interview-tottenham-spurs/Got something to say? I bet you have. Post it on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple.Presenter: Iain MacintoshWith: David Ornstein, Rob Tanner, James HorncastleProducer: Mike Zimmermann

On today's DFB: The USWNT will play Brazil in the final of the Olympics after a dramatic day in France. Meg Linehan and Mike Zimmermann were watching the semi-finals for us. Plus, what's going on with Atletico Madrid? How are they signing so many players? And how have Barcelona managed to buy Dani Olmo for £60m? Find out right here.Need something to read? Try this brilliant account of Newcastle's pre-season tour from back-up goalkeeper Mark Gillespie, via our own George Caulkin: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5681026/2024/08/06/newcastle-premier-league-tour-gillespie/Post a comment on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple.Presenter: Iain MacintoshWith: Dermot Corrigan, Pol Ballus, Meg Linehan and Mike ZimmermannProducer: Mike Zimmermann

On today's DFB: Neither team had it easy, but France will meet Spain in the Olympic Men's Final this weekend. Greg O'Keefe was watching the hosts, Pol Ballus reports in on the European champions. Plus, how are the USWNT looking ahead of their semi-final against Germany? Meg Linehan has the inside track. And, after a quiet few days, we've just had a lot of major transfers. Who's going where and why? Find out here.Post a comment on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple.Want something to read? Try Adam Crafton’s access all areas account of Wolves’ pre-season tour: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5678239/2024/08/05/premier-league-pre-season-tour-united-states/Presenter: Iain MacintoshWith: Greg O'Keefe, Pol Ballus, Meg LinehanProducer: Mike Zimmermann

On today's DFB: How do YOU feel about pre-season friendlies? Are they glorified training sessions or crucial barometers? This is a particularly pertinent question for Chelsea fans. Adam Crafton joins us to explain more. Tom Burrows was in Bordeaux for quite the night of Olympic football. But away from all the fume, just how good are Thierry Henry's French Olympic team? All that and stacks of transfer news too. Welcome back!Post a comment on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple.Presenter: Iain MacintoshWith: Adam Crafton, Tom BurrowsProducer: Mike ZimmermannWant something to read? Try Amy Lawrence's lovely piece on Arsenal's Italian connection: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5674460/2024/08/04/riccardo-calafiori-italy-arsenal-transfer/

On today's Briefing - Well, you know what? Spain were excellent and there's no shame in losing to the better team. They've been brilliant throughout this tournament, haven't they? Ah, but it gets you, doesn't it? Hope. When Cole Palmer sent that ball skidding into the bottom corner, just for a moment, I really did still believe. I thought Spain might start to tire and momentum would carry us over the line. In spite of everything I've learned since I stayed up in my pyjamas at the age of eight to watch England get knocked out the 1986 World Cup by Diego Maradona, I thought we were going to do. Sigh.Plus! Argentina are Copa America champions!Post a comment on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. The Daily Football Briefing will return on August 5.Presenter: Iain MacintoshWith: Mike ZimmermannProducer: Mike Zimmermann

On today's Briefing - We're incapacitated by tension, so we're leaning heavily on our experts. Oli Kay hates the phrase 'It's Coming Home' and he's not convinced that it is anyway. Pol Ballus says that Spain are calm and focused, so maybe he's right. Jack Lang is eagerly awaiting the Copa America Final, but we'll be very drunk by the time that comes around. Pray for us.Post a comment on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple.Presenter: Iain MacintoshWith: Mike Zimmermann, Oli Kay, Pol Ballus, Jack LangProducer: Mike Zimmermann