Brentford’s dynamic duo Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have lit up the Premier League once again this season. But with Thomas Frank admitting Mbeumo could be sold this summer - what does the future hold for him and strike partner Wissa? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jay Harris & Liam Tharme Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 13, 2025•34 min
Real Madrid are in chaos following the latest El Clasico, throwing away at 2-0 lead before falling to a 4-3 defeat. Knocked out of the Champions League and defeat to Barcelona makes another league title unlikely. So where has it all gone wrong for Real Madrid and is Xabi Alonso the man to fix them? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Dermot Corrigan, Guillermo Rai and Seb Stafford-Bloor Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 12, 2025•42 min
On Thursday night both Manchester United and Spurs got the job done in the Europa League to book their place in Bilbao. One of them will be the Champions League next season - but who will be joining them via the Premier League? This weekend's standout fixture comes at St. James' Park as Newcastle United welcome Chelsea in a meeting of 4th v 5th. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Tim Spiers and Oliver Kay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast....
May 09, 2025•39 min
Arsenal’s European journey is over after losing 3-1 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain. So where does this leave Mikel Arteta’s process and why can’t Arsenal get over the line? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Art De Roche, Phil Hay and Liam Tharme Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 08, 2025•38 min
Inter are through to the Champions League final after a breathtaking semi-final against Barcelona. So where does that rank among the best knockout matches in the competition's history? And are Inter favourites to lift the trophy now? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Pol Ballus & Max Callegari Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 07, 2025•35 min
Manchester City have had a disappointing season compared to their usually high standards. But the summer window offers Pep Guardiola the chance to rebuild. So which players are they targeting? And will it be enough for them to be Premier League contenders once again? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Sam Lee & Phil Hay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 06, 2025•50 min
Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool. So why has he decided to leave on a free transfer? And with Real Madrid the likely destination, what makes them a better option? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Pearce, Mario Cortegana and Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 05, 2025•37 min
Manchester United and Tottenham’s hopes of Champions League football next season are well and truly alive after comprehensive victories in their Europa League semi-final first legs. While Nottingham Forest’s dreams of qualifying for Europe’s elite competition via the Premier League have been dented, after losing 2-0 at home to Brentford. Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's Manchester United correspondent Carl Anka, Spurs correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke and football writer Tim Spiers to ref...
May 02, 2025•40 min
Wrexham are now just one step away from the Premier League having now achieved three successive promotions from National League to Championship. How have they managed to climb so quickly and when can we expect to see them in the top flight? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Richard Sutcliffe, Matt Slater and Felipe Cardenas Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 01, 2025•42 min
Arsenal have it all to do in Paris after a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie. So how did Luis Enrique’s PSG get the better of the Gunners? And can Arsenal stage a comeback in the second leg? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Art de Roché & Stuart James Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 30, 2025•34 min
The Champions League semi-finals get underway tonight as Arsenal welcome PSG to the Emirates Stadium. The winner of that tie faces either Barcelona or Inter in the final. So how are the four teams shaping up, and who are the favourites to win it? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Max Callegari, Tomas Hill-Lopez Menchero, Tom Williams, Jordan Campbell Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 29, 2025•51 min
Liverpool are Premier League champions after securing their second title in five years at home to Tottenham Hotspur, their first in front of supporters since 1990. So how has Arne Slot done it and what needs to be done for Liverpool to stay at the top next season? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Pearce, Andy Jones and David Ornstein Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 28, 2025•46 min
With the NFL Draft looming large this weekend, we decided to take a spin on the format and bring it into the world of the Premier League. What would it look like if we held an All-Time Premier League Draft? Which legends go first and can anyone build the perfect squad? Host: Duncan Alexander With: Jacob Whitehead, Oli Kay, and Jack Lang Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou & Liam Warburton Premier League Draft article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6301841/2025/04/24/p...
Apr 27, 2025•46 min
West Ham sit 17th as they prepare to face Brighton this weekend. So how have they ended up in this position, and how much is it down to the approach of manager Graham Potter? Host: Adam Leventhal With: Roshane Thomas, Liam Tharme Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 25, 2025•36 min
At just 20 years old and with only 22 Premier League starts, Dean Huijsen is attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid. So what makes him so special, and who might trigger his £50m release clause? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by senior data analyst Mark Carey and lead writer for The Athletic FC newsletter Phil Hay to discuss the Spanish international. Football correspondent David Ornstein as well as James Pearce, Liam Twomey and Guillermo Rai also drop by with...
Apr 24, 2025•42 min
After their Champions League exit, Carlo Ancelotti is expected to leave Real Madrid this summer So… when will it happen? And is Xabi Alonso the inevitable replacement? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Guillermo Rai & Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 23, 2025•31 min
On Monday, Leeds United reclaimed their seat at the top table after two years in the Championship So, what lessons can they learn from their Premier League relegation last time out? And how can they stay up for the long haul this time? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Phil Hay, Beren Cross Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou & Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 22, 2025•46 min
They left it late, but Chelsea grabbed a crucial win in their bid to secure a top five finish, as Tyrique George and Pedro Neto saw the Blues come from behind to win 2-1 at Fulham. Victory at Craven Cottage keeps them in the mix for a return to European football’s elite competition next season. But with fan discontent growing, how important is Champions League qualification for Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea future? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey to discuss ...
Apr 21, 2025•37 min
There are six games to go in the Premier League, so we’re focusing on the race for Champions League football as Aston Villa take on Newcastle United, while Manchester United and Spurs kept their dreams of qualifying for next season’s competition alive with victories in the Europa League. Mark Critchley joins us to talk about a ridiculous night at Old Trafford that saw Ruben Amorim's side score two goals in injury time of extra time, to beat Lyon 5-4 on the night and 7-6 on aggregate. We hear fro...
Apr 18, 2025•31 min
Arsenal are through to the semi-finals of the Champions League for only the third time in their history - and they had to beat the holders to do it . So how far does that 5-1 win on aggregate propel Mikel Arteta’s project forward? And crucially, can they now go all the way in the Champions League? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Art de Roche, Guillermo Rai, Charlie Eccleshare Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...
Apr 17, 2025•45 min
Through to the semi-finals of the Champions League, Barcelona are on course for a treble this season. So how has Hansi Flick imprinted his style on this team? And will he stay at Barca in the long term? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Pol Ballus, Thom Harris Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou & Simon Watts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 16, 2025•32 min
Has the Premier League been a little boring this season? Especially compared to a thrilling round in the Champions League knockout phase. Have Pep Guardiola’s complex systems killed creativity? Or is the entertainment just coming from different places — tighter mid-table races, smarter tactics, and more goals than ever? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jack Pitt-Brooke & Duncan Alexander Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...
Apr 15, 2025•37 min
Manchester United & Chelsea are just two of the clubs interested in Ipswich Town’s star striker Liam Delap. So with a summer transfer auction on the cards - where will Delap end up? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Laurie Whitwell & Simon Johnson Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 14, 2025•32 min
Mohamed Salah has signed a new two-year contract at Liverpool, while Virgil van Dijk looks set to do the same. With owners FSG usually reluctant to hand out lucrative contract extensions to ageing players, why have they made an exception and what does it mean for Liverpool’s summer transfer business? The Athletic's David Ornstein and Liverpool writer James Pearce join Matt Davies-Adams to discuss the latest on the Liverpool contract saga. Host: Matt Davies-Adams With: David Ornstein, James Pearc...
Apr 11, 2025•33 min
Since Chelsea’s takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake capital, the Blues have spent - unlike any other club bringing in the likes of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Felix. Despite their massive outlays, Chelsea announced a £128.4m profit for the year to June 2024. So how have they done it - and have they found another PSR loophole? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's football finance writer Chris Weatherspoon and Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey to discuss the Blues' latest accou...
Apr 10, 2025•39 min
European champions Real Madrid were rocked by a riveting Arsenal display in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie last night With Madrid facing an uphill task in both the Champions League and La Liga - will they bring in more superstars this summer to bolster their squad? And will Carlo Ancelotti still be the man to make it all gel together next season? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Guillermo Rai, Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero James McNicholas Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast....
Apr 09, 2025•29 min
Luis Enrique’s young and vibrant PSG side are turning heads with their exuberant brand of football. They’ve already wrapped up the Ligue 1 title with six games left to spare - and they face Aston Villa in the Champions League quarter-finals this week. So is Enrique one of the most underrated coaches of the modern era? And are PSG finally ready to win the Champions League? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Tom Williams, Dermot Corrigan Producer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...
Apr 08, 2025•49 min
After 10 years, 13 major honours and six Premier League titles Kevin De Bruyne is leaving Manchester City. So where does he rank amongst the best to play in the Premier League and how do City go about replacing him? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's football correspondent David Ornstein and Man City writer Sam Lee as they share their reaction to the news, reflect on the brilliance the Belgian has brought to the Premier League and assess how Pep Guardiola's side move on from his departur...
Apr 07, 2025•45 min
Manchester City travel to Old Trafford on Sunday, where Manchester United will be hoping to complete a league double over their city rivals for the first time in five years. With Ruben Amorim's side lacking a cutting edge up front and Pep Guardiola without the injured Erling Haaland, where will both managers look for solutions in attack? Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's football Manchester United writer Carl Anka and Manchester City writer Sam Lee to preview Sunday's derby. Host: Adam ...
Apr 04, 2025•43 min
Despite running Liverpool close, it was a familiar feeling for David Moyes at Anfield, as Diogo Jota scored the only goal as Everton feel to defeat to their neighbours. Defeat to Liverpool makes it 22 visits to Anfield without tasting victory as a manager. But with upshoots of encouragement and the move to their new stadium on the horizon, do Everton have reasons to be optimistic? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Everton correspondent Paddy Boyland and senior football writer Oli Kay to...
Apr 03, 2025•41 min