Libero

Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are the most high-profile, but they are from the only English players currently plying their trade on the continent - there are three at Inter Milan alone. This trend is certainly a break from tradition over the past 20 years, where outside of a few high-profile exceptions Englishman kept it strictly Premier League and there was a feeling the foreign clubs weren't particularly fussed about going after them. Why is this changing now? Tracking this phenomenon are Rory Smith, James Horncastle and Jack Pitt-Brooke. P1: (00:35) P2: (33:28) -- It's STILL Wilson Month! Anyone signing up for SC Libero in the next couple of weeks has the opportunity to enjoy our member benefits of bonus content on the end of every regular show and a weekly bonus episodes with 30 days of access for FREE. Jonathan Wilson is upset at these levels of generosity . The offer applies for all tiers of SC Libero membership, but be aware, only Einsteins and above get the extra episodes. More details and sign up is here. --- Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sky Sports has changed football more than once since the outset of the Premier League and the latest development has elevated star pundits such as Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher to figures that dictate the discourse well beyond the broadcast. Driven by social media, technology and changing consumption habits, this is increasingly taking the form of partisan analysis. Rory Smith, Jack Pitt-Brooke, and Tariq Panja track the key moments in the modern evolution of football broadcasting and what impact it's having on the whole ecosystem. P1: (01:26) P2: (31:03) --- It's STILL Wilson Month! Anyone signing up for SC Libero in the next couple of weeks has the opportunity to enjoy our member benefits of bonus content on the end of every regular show and a weekly bonus episodes with 30 days of access for FREE. Jonathan Wilson is upset at these levels of generosity . The offer applies for all tiers of SC Libero membership, but be aware, only Einsteins and above get the extra episodes. More details and sign up is here. --- Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manchester United were an outlier in a summer of lavish spending. In a sea of nine-figure signings, the new arrivals at Old Trafford were brought in on more modest fees as a number of targets moved to rivals. Gone are the days when United were top of the food chain, Premier League titles are now firmly in the rearview mirror and Manchester City are the dominant local force. So with another reboot ongoing under Michael Carrick, who are are Manchester United in 2026? Jack Pitt-Brooke is joined by John Brewin and Rory Smith. P1: (00:31) P2: (33:04) -- It's STILL Wilson Month! Anyone signing up for SC Libero in the next couple of weeks has the opportunity to enjoy our member benefits of bonus content on the end of every regular show and a weekly bonus episodes with 30 days of access for FREE. Jonathan Wilson is upset at these levels of generosity . The offer applies for all tiers of SC Libero membership, but be aware, only Einsteins and above get the extra episodes. More details and sign up is here. --- Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Champions League begins this week with some enticing fixtures and a pool of potential winners that may be as small as six teams. PSG have plenty going in their favour but much of what benefits the defending champions in terms of a lighter domestic workload also holds true for a resurgent Barcelona. And what of the English clubs? Is this the start of a long-previewed era of Premier League dominance in Europe's top competition? Rory Smith is joined by Miguel Delaney and Tariq Panja as we hit play on the Champions League anthem again. P1: (01:09) P2: (30:47) -- It's STILL Wilson Month! Anyone signing up for SC Libero in the next couple of weeks has the opportunity to enjoy our member benefits of bonus content on the end of every regular show and a weekly bonus episodes with 30 days of access for FREE. Jonathan Wilson is upset at these levels of generosity . The offer applies for all tiers of SC Libero membership, but be aware, only Einsteins and above get the extra episodes. More details and sign up is here. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Do you have a burning question for the Liberi? Send them in to extra-time@liberopodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get them answered on the podcast. Anything else, email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Premier League's clubs have spent just over £3.4bn this summer. Several clubs have paid fees exceeding £100m, Manchester City have done it twice. It feels like less a player trading system than an over-financed arms race, but is the league in a financial bubble? In this episode, Rory Smith, Miguel Delaney, and Jonathan Wilson analyse the complexities of the modern football transfer market, the impact of financial regulations, and the broader economic forces shaping the Premier League, as well as explore whether the game is immune from the economic headwinds on the horizon. P1: (02:13) P2: (31:56) It's Wilson Month! What does that mean? It means anyone signing up for SC Libero over the next four weeks has the opportunity to enjoy our member benefits of bonus content on the end of every regular show and a weekly bonus episodes with 30 days of access for FREE. We didn't tell your generous benefactor Jonathan Wilson about this in advance and he will be upset. The offer applies for all tiers of SC Libero membership, but be aware, only Einsteins and above get the extra episodes. More details and sign up is here. — The Libero Fantasy League is also back for the new season. You play against your fellow listeners by using ⁠this link⁠ or using this code: la4foa. --- Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Premier League's summer transfer window has had too much going on. The volume of intra-league deals is unprecedented, the fees are excessive and it seems as if no one is asking 'does it make sense?' To try and unpick it are Jack Pitt-Brooke, John Brewin and Tariq Panja. P1: (00:54) P2: (31:28) It's Wilson Month! What does that mean? It means anyone signing up for SC Libero over the next four weeks has the opportunity to enjoy our member benefits of bonus content on the end of every regular show and a weekly bonus episodes with 30 days of access for FREE. We didn't tell your generous benefactor Jonathan Wilson about this in advance and he will be upset. The offer applies for all tiers of SC Libero membership, but be aware, only Einsteins and above get the extra episodes. More details and sign up is here. --- Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Liverpool under FSG have been at various points held up as the model for a modern football operation. They were good sellers and squad builders. The owners generally believed that the best way to run a Premier League club successfully was to achieve success where people can see it, on the field. Now, with a cohort of powerful individuals that includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos buying a significant shareholding, the motivations of the ownership could be about to change at a time when the team needs to rediscover its sense of direction under a new coach. What does the arrival of new money at Anfield mean? Why are Liverpool leaving such gaping holes in their squad and why does landing a big star like Bradley Barcola no longer move the needle? Rory Smith, Miguel Delaney and Tariq Panja set their focus on the new owners, as well as Liverpool's incoherent transfer policy. P1: (03:30) P2: (32:57) Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today - Claude.ai/LIBERO. It's Wilson Month! What does that mean? It means anyone signing up for SC Libero over the next four weeks has the opportunity to enjoy our member benefits of bonus content on the end of every regular show and a weekly bonus episodes with 30 days of access for FREE. We didn't tell your generous benefactor Jonathan Wilson about this in advance and he will be upset. The offer applies for all tiers of SC Libero membership, but be aware, only Einsteins and above get the extra episodes. More details and sign up is here. --- Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2026/27 Premier League season is underway. So is it too early to hand Arsenal the trophy? Miguel Delaney was at the Emirates on Friday night, while Jack Pitt-Brooke and Jonathan Wilson had to watch on TV. They discuss what we learned from the opening weekend, and how much of an advantage it is to go into this season with an established manager. The three big losers this weekend were Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Aston Villa, but how much should those fans be worried? But maybe finding answers to those questions is just asking one round of league games to bear too much weight. Should all calm down with our narrative-formation for a few weeks? P1: (01:33) P2: (37:47) Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today - Claude.ai/LIBERO. It's Wilson Month! What does that mean? It means anyone signing up for SC Libero over the next four weeks has the opportunity to enjoy our member benefits of bonus content on the end of every regular show and a weekly bonus episodes with 30 days of access for FREE. We didn't tell your generous benefactor Jonathan Wilson about this in advance and he will be upset. The offer applies for all tiers of SC Libero membership, but be aware, only Einsteins and above get the extra episodes. More details and sign up is here. — The Libero Fantasy League is also back for the new season. You play against your fellow listeners by using ⁠this link⁠ or using this code: la4foa. --- Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the Premier League in the midst of a period of upheaval, Arsenal, the reigning champions, stand alone as the sole pillar of stability amongst the traditional challengers. Neither of the league's other recent title winners - Liverpool and Manchester City - appear as strong as they have been in the past couple of seasons, while Enzo Maresca has the additional unenviable task of trying to replace Pep Guardiola. Rory Smith asks Miguel Delaney and James Horncastle for their thoughts on the Premier League title race. P1: (10:36) P2: (38:11) Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today - Claude.ai/LIBERO. It's Wilson Month! What does that mean? It means anyone signing up for SC Libero over the next four weeks has the opportunity to enjoy our member benefits of bonus content on the end of every regular show and a weekly bonus episodes with 30 days of access for FREE. We didn't tell your generous benefactor Jonathan Wilson about this in advance and he will be upset. The offer applies for all tiers of SC Libero membership, but be aware, only Einsteins and above get the extra episodes. More details and sign up is here. — The Libero Fantasy League is also back for the new season. You play against your fellow listeners by using ⁠this link⁠ or using this code: la4foa. --- Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2026/27 Premier League season is finally upon us. Even after a transfer window where all the big money has been spent domestially, there are hopes for some exciting new arrivals into 'our league', and maybe for a game which is more determined by individuals, rather than set pieces. On today’s episode, Jonathan Wilson and James Horncastle discuss what we actually want to see this year, while Jack Pitt-Brooke gets sidetracked obsessing over QPR’s transfer business from the early Tony Fernandes era. P1: (06:03) P2: (28:30) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. The Libero Fantasy League is also back for the new season. You play against your fellow listeners by using this link or using this code: la4foa. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gianni Infantino, the embattled 'Pope of Football', is limping on as Fifa president and has split the world's federations into two factions, one that wants to see him removed from office and the other who wish for him to remain. Why, despite his obvious flaws and major errors, does Infantino retain such levels of support? Jonathan Wilson is joined by Miguel Delaney and Tariq Panja to unpick the motivations behind those who want Infantino gone and the reasons he may be able to cling on. P1: (03:12) P2: (35:32) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new era of Premier League football will begin this month. With Pep Guardiola out of the picture, and Jurgen Klopp long gone, none of the ‘big beasts’ of management will be in jobs. Instead, the 'big six' will largely be coached by managers in their mid 40s, all with something to prove. On today’s episode John Brewin, Jack Pitt-Brooke and Jonathan Wilson ask how this will affect the dynamic of the new season. Will we talk about managers less than we used to? Or will we hope that the generation of Enzo Maresca, Andoni Iraola and co step up into that space? Perhaps this all just proves how hard it is to coach a top Premier League side and why the more relaxed world of international management is now where you'll find the totemic figures who have been stalking English top-flight dugouts for the last decade. P1: (07:32) P2: (26:59) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arsenal’s pursuit of Vinicius Junior is over after Real Madrid announced on Thursday afternoon that the Brazil international had signed a new long-term contract. But on today’s episode - recorded just before the news was confirmed - Jack Pitt-Brooke, James Horncastle and John Brewin discussed why Arsenal’s attempted move for him felt so significant. For all the Premier League’s wealth and success, it generally does not buy in the most famous players in the world. Apart from the arrival of Erling Haaland in 2022, there have been few other high-status imports in recent years. So does that actually matter? Is the league itself the star? Especially when big signings like Paul Pogba or Angel Di Maria fail to make too much of an impression in the Premier League. Or should the willingness of young players like Michael Olise and Jude Bellingham to reach the top outside the Premier League be a cause of concern in this country? P1: (07:31) P2: (32:25) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With a $15bn World Cup bolstering Fifa's bank account, Gianni Infantino was riding high and set fair to continue as football's self-appointed pope, with another term as president all but guaranteed. Little more than two weeks later, following an abruptly abandoned plan to sell a stake in the golden goose to the brother of Donald Trump's son in-law and Infantino is facing the prospect of having to resign the Fifa presidency. How did we get here and what does it say about modern football? Will this finally be the moment the game changes? Jonathan Wilson is joined by Miguel Delaney and Tariq Panja to discuss. P1: (00:20) P2: (32:47) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham are all beginning the new Premier League season with different managers than started the last. With a cast of new characters now coming into focus, Jack Pitt-Brooke, John Brewin and Jonathan Wilson consider what storylines might take shape and the longtail impact of the World Cup. Also discussed is how the creep of football is eroding away the traditional summers sports and the return of international football to borderline irrelevance. P1: (00:56) P2: (25:51) A note to listeners, it's fair to assume that Libero 145 will be discussing the drama in Fifa-land at length. Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Johan Manzambi has become the latest player to earn a big transfer off the back of an impressive World Cup, following the likes of James Rodriguez, Ilie Dumitrescu and Papa Bouba Diop. Yet in recent years clubs have turned away from scouting players at major tournaments, but why is that when they provide tangible evidence of a player's quality and ability to handle playing under immense pressure? James Horncastle, Tariq Panja and Rory Smith look back at the history of this phenomenon and ask if once more the World Cup is becoming a viable proving ground. P1: (02:43) P2: (32:53) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The sad passing of Kevin Keegan at the age of 75 last week brought to an end of the ultimate football lives. One of British football's earliest superstars, highly decorated as a player, revered as one of the game's boldest attacking coaches, Keegan was beloved figure both in England and further afield. Here John Brewin and Jonathan Wilson look back at the life of 'King Kev'. This was originally released for SC Libero members last week, but we thought it would be nice for all Libero listeners to hear John and Jonathan's tribute to the great man. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The World Cup is in the rearview mirror but before it disappears from our collective consciousness, amid well-earned holidays or a headlong dash back into the gnarled embrace of club football, we take a look back at the tournament in its entirety. Jack Pitt-Brooke is joined by Jonathan Wilson and Rory Smith for this one. P1: (04:28) P2: (33:04) --- For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to ⁠SC Libero⁠, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a penny. OFFER ENDS 24th JULY. Join now: ⁠liberopodcast.com⁠. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via ⁠getintouch@liberopodcast.com⁠ Subscribe to our YouTube channel ⁠@liberopod⁠ Join our Discord ⁠@Libero Podcast⁠ Follow us on X ⁠@podcast_libero⁠ Follow us on Bluesky ⁠@liberopodcast⁠ Follow us on Instagram ⁠@liberopod⁠ Follow us on TikTok ⁠@liberopod⁠ Follow us on Facebook ⁠@liberopod⁠ Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spain have beaten Argentina in the World Cup final in a slightly underwhelming conclusion to an overwhelming tournament. This episode was recorded throughout the day of the final by our Liberi on the ground, Rory Smith, James Horncastle and Tariq Panja. It is a bit rough and rugged but it is how we saw it. Build-up: (01:38) Pre-match: (03:23) 90mins: (14:35) Post-match: (16:39) - For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to ⁠SC Libero⁠, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a penny. OFFER ENDS 24th JULY. Join now: ⁠liberopodcast.com⁠. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via ⁠getintouch@liberopodcast.com⁠ Subscribe to our YouTube channel ⁠@liberopod⁠ Join our Discord ⁠@Libero Podcast⁠ Follow us on X ⁠@podcast_libero⁠ Follow us on Bluesky ⁠@liberopodcast⁠ Follow us on Instagram ⁠@liberopod⁠ Follow us on TikTok ⁠@liberopod⁠ Follow us on Facebook ⁠@liberopod⁠ Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England's latest World Cup exit at the hands of Argentina was both familiar but also a new type of failure. The familiar retreat was exacerbated by Thomas Tuchel doubling down on the tactics that had worked in Mexico City and it all means that Spain will play la Albiceleste in Sunday's final. James Horncastle, Jonathan Wilson and Miguel Delaney review both semi-finals before turning their attention to Spain v Argentina at MetLife. P1: (05:43) P2: (33:48) - For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to ⁠SC Libero⁠, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a penny. Join now: ⁠liberopodcast.com⁠. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via ⁠getintouch@liberopodcast.com⁠ Subscribe to our YouTube channel ⁠@liberopod⁠ Join our Discord ⁠@Libero Podcast⁠ Follow us on X ⁠@podcast_libero⁠ Follow us on Bluesky ⁠@liberopodcast⁠ Follow us on Instagram ⁠@liberopod⁠ Follow us on TikTok ⁠@liberopod⁠ Follow us on Facebook ⁠@liberopod⁠ Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices