The Athletic FC Podcast

Yes you’ve read that correctly, today we’re forgoing What If, and asking What is… On today’s episode Emma Paton is joined in the studio by The Athletic’s Tim Spiers and Colin Millar to dissect what people actually mean when they say club ‘DNA’, and if it even exists in the first place. Plus, have you ever imagined a John Terry led Chelsea? Worry not, we discuss where each top-six club might go if they had to nominate a club legend to grace the touchline. Host: Emma Paton Panelists: Tim Spiers, Colin Millar Executive Producers: Adam Jones, Max Curwen Bingley Producer: Mike Stavrou Videographer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a big one this weekend as Arsenal travel to Merseyside to take on Liverpool. This comes following an all time classic upset after they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by fourth tier side Fleetwood Town. Kate Mason is joined in the studio by Rob Green and tactics writer Liam Tharme to preview all the action at Anfield - a game so good they cleared the whole day for it - as well as break down the trending tactics of the season so far. Plus, we ask ourselves the question, can you actually fix Manchester United? Host: Kate Mason Panelists: Rob Green, Liam Tharme Executive Producers: Adam Jones, Max Curwen Bingley Producer: Mike Stavrou, Jay Beale Videographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since taking full control of Manchester United in 2005, the Glazers have pocketed over 1.3 billion pounds, all while racking up over 700 million in debt at the club. So with Manchester United in crisis again, why are the Glazers nowhere to be seen? Kate Mason is joined by former England international Rob Green and the The Athletic's Matt Slater and Adam Crafton to analyse the ownership structure at United. Plus, the panel are joined by Tim Williams, Group Financial Controller at Manchester United from 2009 to 2014, to discuss where the blame lies for the club's decline. Host: Kate Mason Co-hosts: Matt Slater, Adam Crafton, Rob Green Featuring: Tim Williams Videographer: Lara Sinclair Producer: Jay Beale Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth it looked as though time was up for Michael Carrick. But with news he’ll stay in charge for Saturday’s game against Chelsea, is this really a show of faith or just a stay of execution? Emma Paton is joined by Cerys Jones and Thom Harris to get into who would be the best candidate to replace Carrick, should United move him on. The panel are joined by Jacob Whitehead, who makes a case for Eddie Howe and Jacob Tanswell, to talk whether Unai Emery could be prised away from Aston Villa. Plus, we hear from Seb Stafford Bloor on Julian Nagelsmann and Liam Twomey on Antonio Conte. Host: Emma Paton Panelists: Cerys Jones, Thom Harris, Jacob Whitehead, Jacob Tanswell Featuring: Seb Stafford-Bloor & Liam Twomey Videographer: Grayson Moody Producer: Jay Beale Exec producer: Max Curwen Bingley Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or on Monday night, pipping Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to the award. But with just two players in the top 20 in the rankings, how can the Premier League claim to be the best league in the world when so many of the sport's superstars play elsewhere? Emma Paton is joined by JJ Bull, Seb Stafford-Bloor and James Horncastle, who was at the ceremony and takes us behind the scenes of the glitz and glamour (and rain) in London. Host: Emma Paton Panelists: James Horncastle, JJ Bull and Seb Stafford-Bloor Producers: Mike Stavrou, Grayson Moody Exec Producer: Adam Jones Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Carrick's future is hanging by a thread at Man United after his side were embarrassed by Bournemouth at a mutinous Old Trafford on Sunday. But with the club’s hierarchy in the spotlight, will sacking Carrick solve United’s problems? Plus, how Spurs ended their Stamford Bridge curse and a south London themed edition of who's worrying Rob... It's Emma Paton alongside England international Rob Green, Manchester United correspondent Cerys Jones and Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey Host: Emma Paton Panelists: Cerys Jones, Liam Twomey, Rob Green Videographer: Lara Sinclair Producer: Jay Beale Exec producer: Adam Jones Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the Ballon d'Or fast approaching, this week’s episode of ‘What If’, Emma is joined in the studio by The Athletic’s Tim Spiers, Dan Kilpatrick and Jack Pitt-Brooke to pick apart the unfathomable… What if Messi and Ronaldo didn’t exist? Who scores their goals? Who’s career skyrockets? And topically, who wins their Ballons d’Or? Plus, we discuss who we think will be just the 5th player outside of the two main men to win the Ballon d’Or since 2008. Host: Emma Paton Panelists: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Dan Kilpatrick, Tim Spiers Executive Producers: Adam Jones, Max Curwen Bingley Producer: Mike Stavrou Videographer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a jam packed show this week as Kate Mason is joined in the studio by tacticos Liam Tharme and Rob Green to discuss all the weekend’s goings on, including a fierce London derby as Chelsea host rivals Spurs. Plus, we’re joined by former Brighton defender Adam Webster to get an inside look at all things football on the south coast. What’s it like to play for Roberto de Zerbi? How do you stop Erling Haaland? And, the question on everyone’s lips - how are Brighton that good? Host: Kate Mason Panelists: Rob Green, Liam Tharme, Adam Webster Executive producers: Adam Jones, Max Curwen Bingley Producer: Mike Stavrou Videographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United’s ownership is in the firing line again, with players accusing leadership of negligence and just two wins so far all season. So with United in their latest doom cycle and growing unrest across their other clubs and investments, is Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS sports empire crumbling? Kate Mason is joined by Matt Slater, Adam Crafton and former England international Rob Green to examine the impact of United's constant failings on the INEOS landscape. Host: Kate Mason Co-hosts: Matt Slater, Adam Crafton, Rob Green Videographer: Lara Sinclair Producer: Jay Beale Executive Producer: Adam Jones Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tuesday saw PSG and Barcelona lock horns at the Parc des Princes as Luis Enrique’s side came out victors despite injuries to key players Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Emma is joined in the studio by Manchester United writer Cerys Jones and Senior Editor Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero to break down all the action. Plus, Laurie Whitwell dials in to tell all about his two days spent with former United boss, Erik ten Hag, and we discuss the future of El Clasico, and if it remains the biggest fixture in football. Host: Emma Payton Panelists: Cerys Jones, Tomas Hill Lopez Menchero Featuring: Laurie Whitwell, James Horncastle Executive producers: Adam Jones, Max Curwen Bingley Producer: Jay Beale Videographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a bumper week in the Champions League with arguably the best four teams in Europe — PSG, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Arsenal — all facing each other. But who is actually the best side in Europe right now? We dissect the star power, team identity, weaknesses and managers across all four teams and pick some Combined XIs. Plus, was Spurs' first victory of the season a launchpad for their season? Or was it just Coventry at home? Jon Mackenzie, JJ Bull and Seb Stafford-Bloor joined Emma Paton today for a bit of a Tifo takeover. Host: Emma Paton Panelists: Jon Mackenzie, JJ Bull and Seb Stafford-Bloor Producers: Mike Stavrour, Grayson Moody Executive producer: Adam Jones Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brighton thumped nearest rivals Crystal Palace on Sunday, taking their tally to an astonishing 34 goals in all competitions already this season. So what is taking them to the next level? And is their form sustainable enough to mount an actual title challenge? Plus, was Michael Carrick right to describe Man United's draw at Leeds as a 'fresh start'? And who is worrying Rob this week? Emma Paton is joined by Rob Green, The Athletic's Spurs and England correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke and Tactics writer Liam Tharme. Host: Emma Paton Panelists: Rob Green, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Liam Tharme Videographer: Lara Sinclair Producer: Jay Beale Exec producer: Adam Jones Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode of ‘What If’, Emma is joined by long-suffering Spurs fans Dan Kilpatrick and Kate Mason, alongside Tim Spiers to deduce, what if... Spurs weren’t ‘Spursy’? Lasagne-gate, Conte’s outburst, beefing with the Dulux dog, the choices are endless, but what do we vote the ‘Spurs-iest’ moment in the club’s history? Host: Emma Paton Panelists: Kate Mason, Dan Kilpatrick, Tim Spiers Executive Producers: Adam Jones, Max Curwen Bingley Producer: Mike Stavrou Videographer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's the biggest fight Jack Wilshere has seen in football? And Does he regret not being able to fulfil his full potential? Welcome to Truth or Padel Extra, the show where David Ornstein takes on footballers to ask questions he wouldn't be able to in a normal interview. This week David is joined by former Arsenal player and current Luton Town manager, Jack Wilshere, to discuss the importance of family, his coaching career and looking back on regrets. Watch the Truth Or Padel game on The Athletic FC: https://youtu.be/68SC7UCqLKA Host: David Ornstein Guest: Jack Wilshere Executive Producer: Joe Devine Editors: Don Ma, Tom Pryce Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve got a big weekend of Premier League action ahead of us, so we’re back in the studio for another episode of The Tactical Preview. This week we’re honing in on Spurs vs Coventry, and if Roberto De Zerbi’s team are starting to find their rhythm. Kate Mason is joined by Rob Green and tactics writer Liam Tharme to preview this weekend’s biggest games, including ‘The Roses Rivalry’, as pressure mounts on United boss Michael Carrick. Plus, we breakdown the details on playing versus 10, and how some teams are better set up to do that than others. Host: Kate Mason Panelists: Rob Green, Liam Tharme Executive producers: Adam Jones, Max Curwen Bingley Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester City and PSG put on a show in the Champions League last night, but their situations off the pitch are very different. City are now public enemy number one after being ruled to have systematically broken Premier League rules. So why are PSG, who have their own historic financial breaches, not legally viewed the same way? Kate Mason is joined by Adam Crafton, Jacob Whitehead and former England international Rob Green to explain. Plus, Matt Slater joins down the line from Zurich where Gianni Infantino is making his first public FIFA appearance since the World Cup. Host: Kate Mason Panelists: Adam Crafton, Jacob Whitehead, Rob Green, Matt Slater Videographer: Lara Sinclair Executive producer: Adam Jones Producer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United continued their poor run of form with a 2-0 loss to Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night, but it was Lisandro Martinez’s explosive post match interview that grabbed the headlines. Emma is joined in the studio by The Athletic’s Manchester United writer Cerys Jones and Senior Editor Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero to dig into all the action, plus, Senior sports news reporter Matt Slater explains the IFR’s State of Football report. Host: Emma Paton Panelists: Cerys Jones, Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero, Matt Slater Featuring: Laurie Whitwell Executive Producers: Adam Jones, Max Curwen Bingley Producer: Jay Beale Videographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cole Palmer signed a contract extension with Chelsea over the weekend to signify his commitment to the club. So are the Blues entering a long overdue era of stability under Xabi Alonso, and has new signing Morgan Rogers become the glue at the club already? Plus, are Everton’s American owners looking to sell the club already? Emma Paton is joined by David Ornstein and special guest James Allcott in studio to discuss two big stories that emerged over the weekend. Host: Emma Paton Panelists: David Ornstein, James Allcott Producers: Mike Stavrou, Grayson Moody Executive Producer: Adam Jones Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester City's 3-0 win at Liverpool on Sunday felt surreal, with the football itself almost a footnote to the wider picture surrounding City since they were found guilty of almost all the Premier League charges relating to financial breaches. Are all of City's games going to feel this way until the sanctions are delivered? How are their players and fans meant to react? And what did the display say about Liverpool? Host Emma Paton was joined by former England international Rob Green and The Athletic's Manchester United correspondent Cerys Jones to discuss the fallout from Anfield. Plus, does Michael Carrick have more problems than Roberto de Zerbi? And are we worried about Fulham? Host: Emma Paton Panelists: Rob Green, Cerys Jones Featuring: Sam Lee & James Pearce Executive producer: Adam Jones Producer: Jay Beale Videographer: Lara Sinclair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of David Ornstein's 'Truth or Padel' series, David meets former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara. Thiago discusses coming to terms with his body being unable to play anymore, advice for the next generation of players, the ‘death’ of beautiful football, and the best young players in the world. Host: David Ornstein Guests: Thiago Alcantara Executive Producer: Joe Devine Editor: Don Ma Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.