The Athletic FC Podcast

Ahead of the Manchester derby, this week on What If... we're talking about Wayne Rooney and the hypothetical around whether he could have possibly made the switch across Manchester from United to City back in 2010. Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke and Dan Kilpatrick, as well as Andy Mitten from Talk of the Devils to delve into Rooney's at times strained relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson Our alternative timeline ponders whether the move to City could have taken place, as well as whether Rooney could have moved to Jose Mourinho's Chelsea in 2013 as well as the impact any move could possibly have had on his own - or Sir Alex Ferguson's - Manchester United legacy. Host: Emma Paton With: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Dan Kilpatrick and Andy Mitten Executive Producer: Guy Clarke Producers: Mike Stavrou, Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Tactical Preview we're looking ahead to the first Manchester derby of the season, as Manchester United welcome Man City to Old Trafford. Kate Mason is joined by Rob Green and The Athletic's Thom Harris to analyse City's midfield having been reconstructed during the summer transfer window with the arrival of Elliot Anderson, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez. The Athletic's Man City correspondent Sam Lee also drops by to explain how the new unit is coming together, while the panel assess whether playing on the counter may suit Michael Carrick's side There's also a look ahead to Fulham's trip to Anfield, having seen plenty of midfield chaos from Alvaro Arbeloa's side, while Aston Villa will be hoping to score their first Premier League goal of the season against Nottingham Forest and Hull head to Chelsea, yet to so far concede. Meanwhile in the breakdown, the panel look at the under the radar data signings made this summer that may be worth keeping an eye on! Host: Kate Mason With: Rob Green and Thom Harris Featuring: Sam Lee Executive Producer: Guy Clarke Producer: Xavi Bird Videographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Champions League returns, a number of big match-ups have played out including Real Madrid taking on Inter Milan and Liverpool facing Atletico Madrid, but where is the jeopardy? Kate Mason is joined by Adam Crafton, Matt Slater and Rob Green to analyse the growth and investment within the Champions League and discuss whether the change to the league phase format has led to a closed-shop for the clubs capable of winning the tournament. Plus, ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby, former Man City CEO Garry Cook joins the podcast to discuss the role the two clubs have played in raising the global profile of the city. From a sporting, economical and political sense he reflects on his involvement with the Abu Dhabi investment into Man City back in 2008 and the ambitions of the project as well as the opportunity to be part of the growth of the city. Host: Kate Mason With: Adam Crafton, Matt Slater and Rob Green Featuring: Garry Cook Executive Producer: Guy Clarke Producer: Jay Beale Videographer: Lara Sinclair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Inter in their opening Champions League fixture was far from convincing. Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic's Liam Twomey and Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero to get into Jose Mourinho’s return to the Spanish capital, the panel discuss whether he’s the man to bring silverware back to the Bernabeu amid familiar problems to last season. Plus, with the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or revealed, could Harry Kane become just the fourth Englishman to win the award? Host: Emma Paton Co-hosts: Liam Twomey, Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero Featuring: Guillermo Rai Exec Producer: Guy Clarke Producers: Jay Beale Videographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After seeing a late move for Folarin Balogun collapsed Everton have been left with 18 senior first team players, something manager David Moyes seems less than pleased by. Emma Paton is with David Ornstein and James Horncastle to analyse Everton's transfer dealings, discuss why things played out in the manner they did - including looking likely to strike a deal to sell Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest. The Friedkin Group are also exploring investment opportunities in the club, so the panel assess the relationship the owners have with the club having only taken control in December 2024. Plus there's the latest Ask Ornstein and The Athletic's Barcelona correspondent Pol Ballus also joins us to talk about Marcus Rashford's reintegration at Manchester United, following his loan spell at the Camp Nou last season. Host: Emma Paton With: David Ornstein and James Horncastle Featuring: Pol Ballus Executive Producer: Guy Clarke Producer: Jay Beale Videographer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal made it three wins from three at the start of the new Premier League season, coming from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates. Emma Paton is joined by former England goalkeeper Rob Green and The Athletic's Matt Slater to look back on the weekend's action. Art de Roche shares his thoughts on Arsenal's attacking rotations on show against Chelsea, with Liam Twomey assessing how far off becoming title challengers Xabi Alonso's side are. Moving away from the Emirates, the panel assess who else could challenge for the title this season, with Man City being the only other side to take maximum points so far. Plus, Rob analyses the most noteworthy goalkeeping performances of the weekend and with the transfer window now closed, there's a look at which players could still be available on free transfers! Host: Emma Paton With: Rob Green and Matt Slater Featuring: Art de Roche and Liam Twomey Executive Producer: Guy Clarke Producer: Jay Beale Videographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For episode two of What If... we're talking Chelsea's former owner Roman Abramovich - and the parallel universe where he buys Spurs, or even Arsenal, instead of the Blues. Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic's Tim Spiers and Spurs writer Jack Pitt-Brooke and Chelsea writer Liam Twomey to delve into the influence of Abramovich and how he changed the game forever. Our alternative timeline ponders what would happen to Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Mourinho and the Premier League's ownership and investment landscape had Abramovich not taken over. Host: Emma Paton Guests: Tim Spiers, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Liam Twomey Executive Producer: Adam Jones Producers: Mike Stavrou, Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to the Tactical Preview, this week, our focus is on Arsenal vs Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Kate Mason is joined by former England goalkeeper Rob Green and The Athletic’s Tactics writer Liam Tharme to analyse Xabi Alonso’s low-possession style from their first two games and how their potent attack could go about breaking down a stubborn Arsenal side. The panel also discuss squad building, with multiple clubs going through big changes in personnel over the summer window. They also look at Everton vs Manchester United, Nottingham Forest vs Spurs and Newcastle vs Bournemouth - and focus on how the three B’s: Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton, constantly reinvent themselves. Host: Kate Mason Guests: Rob Green, Liam Tharme Executive Producer: Adam Jones Producers: Mike Stavrou, Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This summer the Premier League smashed the record for spending within the division, with £1.7bn worth of transfers between Premier League clubs alone. Kate Mason is joined by Adam Crafton, Matt Slater and Rob Green to get into what this means for football here in the UK and why player prices are so high. Plus, Tim Bridge, lead partner of Deloitte's Sports Business Group, drops in to talk about the impact on the wider game and growing wealth gaps across Europe. Host: Kate Mason With: Adam Crafton, Matt Slater, Rob Green Featuring: Tim Bridge Executive Producer: Adam Jones Producer: Jay Beale Videographer: Lara Sinclair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The transfer window is now closed after another summer of truly bonkers spending. Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic's David Ornstein & James Horncastle to get into the deals that stood out and the deals that fell through, including Folarin Balogun's failed move to Everton that had repercussions for Chelsea. Plus, the panel reveal their favourite signing of the summer, the transfer that made them double take and which set of fans shout be most concerned now the window has shut. Host: Emma Paton With: David Ornstein and James Horncastle Executive Producer: Adam Jones Producer: Jay Beale Videographer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our Deadline Day coverage with The Athletic's transfer specialist, David Ornstein, hosted by Emma Paton. They are joined by football analyst JJ Bull and other The Athletic reporters to figure out what transfers could still happen and analyse the latest news. Host: Emma Paton Co-hosts: David Ornstein, JJ Bull, Seb Stafford-Bloor Exec Producer: Adam Jones Producers: Don Ma, Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chelsea made it two wins from two against Brighton & Hove Albion, having scored seven goals in their opening two whilst also conceding five in that time. Emma Paton is alongside former Chelsea and England goalkeeper Rob Green and The Athletic's Cerys Jones to assess the Blues' chances of challenging under Xabi Alonso. Elsewhere over the Premier League weekend, Manchester United got their first win of the season seeing off newly-promoted Ipswich Town at Old Trafford, Hull City made it two from two while Tottenham Hotspur suffered a second successive defeat. Seb Stafford-Bloor joins the panel in-studio to dissect Spurs' latest loss before moving onto his interview with England captain Harry Kane for the latest 'My Game In My Words' feature on The Athletic. Plus, with transfer deadline day looming David Ornstein whets the appetite for what may be to come. Host: Emma Paton With: Rob Green, Cerys Jones and Seb Stafford-Bloor Featuring: David Ornstein Executive Producer: Guy Clarke Producer: Lucy Oliva Videographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the first episode of a new series on The Athletic FC Podcast: What If… Every week, host Emma Paton will be joined by a selection of The Athletic’s writers to dive into monumental sliding doors moments in football’s recent history. From Roman Abramovich’s interest in Spurs before buying Chelsea, to how the career of Brazil's Ronaldo might look if he had avoided serious injury. On episode one, Tim Spiers and Jon Mackenzie are on the panel to discuss Pep Guardiola’s alternative timeline had he not become a manager, or never joined Barcelona. What would happen to Lionel Messi, Man City, Erling Haaland and the Premier League in general? Tune in to find out. Host: Emma Paton Guests: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie Executive Producer: Guy Clarke Producers: Mike Stavrou, Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tactical Preview is back and Aston Villa's clash against Arsenal is our primary focus this week. Host Kate Mason is joined by The Athletic's data writer Thom Harris and former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke to dissect where the game will be won and lost. They focus on Villa's frailties in beating the press, Arsenal's short corners and switches of play. The Athletic's Villa correspondent Jacob Tanswell also drops by to give the lowdown on Villa's midfield struggles in the defeat to Brighton. The panel also focus on Chelsea vs Brighton, Man United vs Ipswich Town & Coventry City vs Hull City, as well as picking out the clubs who have had a quietly good transfer window. Host: Kate Mason Guests: Adrian Clarke, Thom Harris Executive Producer: Guy Clarke Producers: Mike Stavrou, Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aston Villa have seen their Europa League-winning squad torn apart during the summer transfer window, despite qualifying for this season's Champions League. Adam Crafton and Matt Slater join Kate Mason to get stuck into one of the biggest talking points in the game right now around the competitive balance within the Premier League, brought on by the spending controls set by the league. Hannah Vanbiber also joins us in-studio to ask how the Premier League's spending restrictions differ from those commonly seen in US Sports as well as the level of interest of US owners within the Premier League. Plus, with Premier League spending mainly focused within the division this summer, we explore the consequences on the wider European game. Host: Kate Mason With: Adam Crafton and Matt Slater Featuring: Hannah Vanbiber Executive Producer: Guy Clarke Producer: Jay Beale Videographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After arriving for a combined £225m, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak’s Liverpool careers are yet to get going. Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic's Simon Hughes, Jay Harris and Seb Stafford-Bloor to get into why the pair are still struggling, and whether Andoni Iraola is the man to get the best out of them. Plus, after Jamie Carragher called Liverpool's 2025 summer transfer window the 'worst in Premier League history', the panel assess the work of sporting director Richard Hughes, who is expected to leave the club for Al Hilal at the end of the season. Host: Emma Paton With: Jay Harris, Simon Hughes, Seb Stafford-Bloor Executive Producer: Guy Clarke Producer: Jay Beale Videographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The final week of the transfer window is the busiest time of the year and we've got you fully covered on the podcast. Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic's Football Correspondent David Ornstein and James Horncastle to discuss the latest market moves. The panel talk Man City's major summer rebuild including their latest big-money move for Ayoubb Bouaddi and whether they could swoop in to sign Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez at the very last minute. David also brings us news on Aston Villa's move for Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta, Arsenal's interest in Julian Alvarez and answers your listener questions. Plus, Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey drops in to talk Chelsea's 3-2 win over Fulham on Monday night. Host: Emma Paton With: David Ornstein and James Horncastle Featuring: Liam Twomey Executive Producer: Guy Clarke Producer: Mike Stavrou Videographer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur both fell flat on the opening weekend of the Premier League season losing to Hull City and Brentford respectively. Emma Paton is joined by Jay Harris and Cerys Jones to assess the shortcomings for both sides, with The Athletic's Manchester United correspondent Laurie Whitwell sharing his views having been at the MKM Stadium. Mamadou Sangare stole the show on-debut for Brentford, upstaging Spurs' new £185m midfield with both Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes featuring after their summer moves. Plus, The Athletic's Aston Villa correspondent Jacob Tanswell also joins us to discuss Aston Villa's 4-0 loss at Brighton as well as addressing the uncertainty surrounding Ollie Watkins ahead of the close of the summer transfer window. Host: Emma Paton With: Jay Harris and Cerys Jones Featuring: Laurie Whitwell and Jacob Tanswell Executive Producer: Guy Clarke Producer: Jay Beale Videographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to a brand new offering on The Athletic FC Podcast: our Tactical Preview show. Kate Mason, Rob Green and Liam Tharme are here to run you through the biggest matches from an analytical lens. This week, we talk tactical trends we expect to take hold this season, while our primary focus is on the big battle at St James’ Park as Newcastle host Liverpool. The panel also touch on champions Arsenal vs Coventry, Man City vs Bournemouth and Fulham vs Chelsea. Host: Kate Mason With: Rob Green and Liam Tharme Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Videographer: Lara Sinclair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FSG have sold nearly 40 per cent of Liverpool to a consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, as exclusively revealed by The Athletic earlier this week. Kate Mason is joined by senior news reporter Matt Slater, former England goalkeeper Rob Green and Jack Pitt-Brooke to discuss the significance of the investment as well as Liverpool’s preparations ahead of the new season. The Athletic’s Liverpool correspondent James Pearce shares his insight on the Reds’ pre-season preparations as they begin a new era under Andoni Iraola, while Nick Miller drops-by from Trabzon to discuss what comes next for Mohamed Salah ahead of his home debut for Trabzonspor having moved on from Anfield. Host: Kate Mason With: Rob Green, Jack Pitt-Brooke and Matt Slater Featuring: James Pearce and Nick Miller Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Jay Beale and Guy Clarke Videographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.