The Athletic Football Podcast

After Manchester City fell to defeat at Villa Park on Wednesday night, Pep Guardiola's side slipped to fourth in the Premier League and six points off pace-setters Arsenal. So what is going wrong at City, is it a glitch in the matrix or are their problems more serious? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Mark Critchley, Pol Ballus and Thom Harris to explore and examine City's winless run as it stretched to four games in the Premier League. Produced by Guy Clarke Additional Production by Mike Stavrou Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite a 5-0 win over Sheffield United on the weekend, Vincent Kompany’s Burnley were beaten again this week & remain in Premier League relegation zone... Kompany has revolutionised their playing style, but does a ‘stubborn’ commitment to one way of playing hold back too many managers in the Premier league? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Tim Spiers, Andy Jones and journalist and former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke to discuss. Produced by Adonis Pratsides Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this exclusive interview for The Athletic, Arsenal and Italy midfielder Jorginho joins host Ayo Akinwolere, to talk about the Gunners' Premier League title charge, 'misunderstood' Kai Havertz and more... What's it really like to play for Mikel Arteta and why deep-lying central midfielders have become so expensive in the transfer market. Jorginho also opens up about the abuse he's suffered having missed penalties for Italy, why dual-nationality can be a gift and a curse in football, and working his way back into the squad for Euro 2024. Plus, if Bukayo Saka is playing too much football and his work to help young players manage their money better. Jorginho is founding Investor and Ambassador at Gather Produced by Adonis Pratsides Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trent Alexander-Arnold is flying in the Premier League… A year on from playing a bit-part role in Qatar and struggling for form at home, Trent is now excelling for club & country in a bespoke hybrid role.. So is unlocking his immense talent the key to Liverpool’s title challenge & has he finally convinced Gareth Southghate that he has to find a starting place for him for England.. Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Liverpool writer James Pearce, Senior Football writer Oli Kay and Data Analyst Mark Carey. Produced by Guy Clarke Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Leventhal hosts Luke Bosher, Tim Spiers, and Nick Miller to preview matchweek 14 in the Premier League. First on the docket is the Man City vs Tottenham, with the away side looking to live up to their reputation as the champion's 'bogey team', with Spurs having won 5 of the last 7 matchups. Then it's a trip to Tyneside for Newcastle vs Man United. With both teams having had emotionally exhausting midweek games, who will come out on top? And there's also time for a discussion of basement battle Burnley vs Sheffield United, league leaders Arsenal vs Wolves, and Chelsea vs Brighton. Producer: John Rogers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bottom of the group having conceded 14 goals in only 5 group stage games, Man United now stand on the brink of Champions League elimination... But despite some costly individual errors, is it really all goalkeeper Andre Onana’s fault? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Adam Crafton, Man United writer Carl Anka and our Italian football writer James Horncastle. Produced by Adonis Pratsides Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The lure of Real Madrid has proven almost irresistible to the world’s best players and coaches for decades... Success feels like a virtual guarantee these days with Jude Bellingham at the heart of one of the most exciting young teams on earth - So why would anyone want to leave? The Soap Opera of ‘Don’ Carlo Ancelotti’s future continues… Ayo Akinwolere is joined by he Athletic’s Real Madrid correspondent Mario Cortegana Santos and La Liga writer Dermot Corrigan Produced by Adonis Pratsides Additional Production: Mike Stavrou Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eddie Howe has questioned why all the focus seemed to be on Newcastle, following the Premier Leagues effort to block ‘related-party loans’… So are they actually going to sign Ruben Neves in January? Or anyone else from the Saudi Pro League for that matter? And why is the richest club in the world, turning to a 17 year-old midfielder amid an injury crisis? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, plus Jacob Whitehead & Chris Waugh. Produced by Adonis Pratsides & Mike Stavrou Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kai Havertz hasn’t exactly hit the ground running but could his late-winner at Brentford mean lift-off for his Arsenal career? And with the best defence in the division - are Arsenal a better team than last season - if not quite as fun to watch? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Arsenal writer Amy Lawrence and German football writer Raphael Honigstein. Produced by Adonis Pratsides Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manchester City host title rivals Liverpool in the first game of the weekend, as the Premier League returns from the final international break of the year, with the visitors looking to lay down a marker. Sunday sees Everton welcome Manchester United to Goodison Park fresh from their 10-point deduction while Tottenham take on Aston Villa in a battle of fourth versus fifth. Newcastle welcome Chelsea to Tyneside to round off the heavyweight clashes, while Sheffield United and Bournemouth play out a relegation 6-pointer. All that and more, as Adam Leventhal hosts Colin Millar, Thom Harris, and Reuben Pinder. Produced by John Rogers Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead *** • Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Drizly or Instacart by going to coorslight.com/athleticfootball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles in the early 2000s, we’d forgive you for thinking Lyon are still firmly a part of European football’s aristocracy But after 11 games this season - they’re bottom of the table, their world-famous pool of academy talent seems to have dried up, and after losing one of the most influential football executives of this century could a genuine 'legacy club' soon be a second-division side? Ayo Akinwolere is joined one final time this week by The Athletic’s Matt Slater & Adam Crafton, plus our German football writer Raphael Honigstein joins in to connect the dots with our fifth club, Hertha Berlin. Produced by Adonis Pratsides Additional Production: Mike Stavrou Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead ** • Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Drizly or Instacart by going to coorslight.com/athleticfootball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a pretty good start to the season for Inter Milan. Ticking along nicely in the Champions League and top of Serie A as they chase silverware for a fourth consecutive season… Behind the scenes however, the picture isn’t quite as rosy. Despite increased revenues, profits are low and debts are sky-high. Add to that an outdated stadium, an ageing squad and some high-profile departures. So, is it enough for them to just be successful on the pitch and if a takeover is the solution, are they, or any Italian club, attractive enough to buy? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Senior football news reporter Matt Slater & our Italian football writer James Horncastle. Produced by Adonis Pratsides and Jay Beale Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead ** • Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Drizly or Instacart by going to coorslight.com/athleticfootball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It doesn’t seem that long ago, that Pep’s Barcelona were the epitome of a well-run football club. Moving on from Messi & co was always going to be difficult, but a series of failings on and off the pitch, led to a fall from grace. Only last month however, President Joan Laporta proclaimed the crisis he ‘inherited’ was over. But, as the reigning La Liga Champions’, net debt climbs to almost £1.2bn - is everything quite as it seems at Barca? In the second part of our series ‘Crisis Clubs’, examining the financial states of five European football clubs, Ayo Akinwolere, Matt Slater & Dermot Corrigan dig into the numbers and plot a potential way out for Barcelona. Produced by Adonis Pratsides and Mike Stavrou Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead • Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Drizly or Instacart by going to coorslight.com/athleticfootball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Friday came the news that Everton have been hit with an unprecedented 10-point deduction for breaching the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules. Leaving Everton with only four points, and in the relegation zone, despite an up-turn in recent form on the pitch… So today, we’ll explain why Everton have been punished, what happens next & what it might mean for clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea. Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Senior football news reporter Matt Slater, Football Correspondent David Ornstein & Everton writer Patrick Boyland. Produced by Adonis Pratsides Additional Production: Jay Beale Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead *** Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Drizly or Instacart by going to coorslight.com/athleticfootball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An international break gives Adam Leventhal and co a chance to sit down and reflect on the 12 gameweeks of Premier League action so far. With the help of Nick Miller, Jay Harris, and Caoimhe O’Neill, we start by asking whether Man City can be beaten to the title this season, with Liverpool and Arsenal looking like the key contenders. Then it's a trip to the foot of the table, and wondering whether the three promoted clubs - Burnley, Sheffield United, and Luton - can escape instant relegation. And finally, it's a tour of our moments of the season so far, featuring our favourite goals, matches, players, signings, and more! *** • This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Find your bright spot this season, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL today to get 10% off your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the news that Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold will be stepping down to be replaced by Patrick Stewart on an interim basis, and with billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s company INEOS set to buy a 25 per cent stake in United, does this move represent the start of a change of direction after a difficult 12 months at the club? And can United live up to the claim they made to investors, that with the right support they can enjoy billion pound revenues? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Adam Crafton & Dan Sheldon. Produced by Guy Clarke Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead *** • This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Find your bright spot this season, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL today to get 10% off your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reigning Serie A champions Napoli have parted company with head coach Rudi Garcia after just 16 matches in charge… Walter Mazzarri is the surprise replacement having previously been in charge of the club in 2013.. So how have Napoli gone from winning their first league title in 33 years to sacking their manager just six months later? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Italian football writer James Horncastle. Produced by Mike Stavrou Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead *** • This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Find your bright spot this season, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL today to get 10% off your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having taken Bayer Leverkusen from the relegation zone to the top of the Bundesliga within 13 months of taking charge, Xabi Alonso has made a meteoric start to his managerial career. After playing under some of the biggest names in coaching during his playing career, including the likes of Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benitez, Alonso has already begun to forge an impressive reputation for himself. The Athletic's Raphael Honigstein and Thom Harris join Ayo Akinwolere to analyse Alonso's start in coaching at Leverkusen, which influences have shown within his side as well as assessing what could come next for the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder. Produced by Guy Clarke Additional Production by Mike Stavrou Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead *** • This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Find your bright spot this season, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL today to get 10% off your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amongst the chaos at Stamford Bridge yesterday there was a top draw performance from one of the usual suspects in Raheem Sterling. But despite being one of the best players on the pitch in Chelsea’s four four draw with Manchester City, Sterling has - once again - not made the latest England squad. So is Sterling being unfairly overlooked or has Gareth Southgate moved on with new faces, such as Chelsea teammate Cole Palmer? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Man City writer Sam Lee, Chelsea writer Simon Johnson as well as Oli Kay. Produced by Guy Clarke Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead *** • This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Find your bright spot this season, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL today to get 10% off your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Leventhal welcomes Jay Harris, Jon Mackenzie, and Omar Garrick to the studio to preview the weekend's fixtures. Chelsea vs Manchester City headlines the weekend's action as Pochettino's side look to claim another big scalp after taking down Spurs on Monday. Tottenham will look to regroup despite losing four key players to injury or suspension as they take a trip to Wolves. Elsewhere, Brighton are five games without a Premier League win; we ask Tifo tactics expert Jon Mackenzie whether other managers have figured them out, or if it's just a blip, as they prepare to take on Sheffield United. Finally, as Manchester United lurch from one crisis to another, surely they have enough to beat Luton at home? All that and more! Produced by John Rogers Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead *** • Make time to chill this holiday season and reach for the beer that’s Made to Chill. Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Drizly or Instacart by going to coorslight.com/athleticfootball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices