Essential Football is where you’ll find Sky Sports’ coverage of the biggest stories and talking points in football.
From in-depth interviews to documentaries, from the Premier League to the WSL – it’s all covered.
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Man City Eyes Maresca as Pep’s Successor | How much is Mainoo worth?
Dec 19, 2025
Show notes
Tom White and Jay Bothroyd discuss Arsenal’s updated injury list, as Mikel Arteta speaks to the media ahead of the Everton game on the sixth anniversary of his appointment. We then assess Enzo Maresca’s situation at Chelsea amid reports that he is high on Manchester City’s list of potential successors to Pep Guardiola. We’re joined by Manchester City fan Matthew, who agrees with Jay that there are better alternatives, with Vincent Kompany and Luis Enrique top of the list. Next up, we ask if Liverpool and Arne Slot have been helped by the way the Salah situation was smoothed over against Brighton. With a huge game against Tottenham on the horizon, Jay feels Slot has managed it expertly. Finally, we look at Kobbie Mainoo’s lack of game time under Ruben Amorim and ask what would now represent a fair price for the Manchester United midfielder. United fan Hannah joins us and believes his reduced minutes this season have lowered his value from what could have been the £100m mark eighteen months ago. Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air. To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075. For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
Is Wilfried Nancy under pressure after 14 days? | How good is Lewis Miley? | Cherki Superb in Cup Win
Dec 18, 2025
Show notes
Tom White and Tim Sherwood discuss Wilfried Nancy’s difficult start to life at Celtic. After being ridiculed with a tactics board and suffering four defeats already, the fanbase has turned against the newly appointed manager. Tim questions whether Nancy has tried to change too much, too soon. Next, we assess Lewis Miley’s impact, with Newcastle fan Paul hailing the team’s set-piece progress and calling Miley’s goal a coming-of-age moment. Finally, we look at Manchester City’s Carabao Cup win over Brentford and an impressive display from Rayan Cherki. Tim believes Cherki has all the tools to become a top-drawer player and could prove to be a bargain at the price City paid for him. Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air. To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075. For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
Is Enzo Maresca Happy? | Fernandes’ Explosive Interview | Howe on Guimarães
Dec 17, 2025
Show notes
Tom White and Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony discuss Enzo Maresca’s comments this week following a turbulent weekend. The Chelsea boss insists he is “happy” at the club and is “falling more in love with the players,” just days after saying he had experienced “the worst 48 hours” of his time at Chelsea. Darragh describes Maresca as a “serial trophy hunter” and “one of the better managers this season,” while Chelsea fan Charlie, who was at the game, joins us to share the mood among supporters after the 3–1 Carabao Cup win over League One side Cardiff. Next, we turn to an explosive interview with Bruno Fernandes, who admitted it “hurt” to realise the club “wanted me to leave” after Saudi side Al-Hilal proposed a £100m fee for the 31-year-old. Manchester United fan Joe praises Bruno’s numbers since joining the club, even comparing the United captain to Kevin De Bruyne. Finally, we discuss Eddie Howe’s response to Bruno Guimarães’ comments from the weekend, after the midfielder branded Newcastle’s performance against Sunderland “embarrassing” and “a mess.” Howe pushed back, saying, “We weren’t a mess — I think Bruno’s very emotional.” Craig Hope suggests the manager was sending a message to the dressing room that talk is cheap and performances must improve on the pitch. Newcastle fan Matthew joins us, criticising Howe’s team selection for the derby and arguing the club have lost some of their identity this season and need to get back to basics. Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air. To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075. For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
Is Amorim getting it right at Man United? Is Enzo Maresca under Pressure? Do Aston Villa deserve to be third?
Dec 16, 2025
Show notes
Tom White and Charlie Austin discuss the chaotic 4–4 draw at Old Trafford as Manchester United hosted Bournemouth on a blockbuster Monday Night Football. Was it the game of the season so far? Charlie highlights the defensive vulnerability of Amorim’s side. We’re joined by Manchester United content creator KG to discuss just how clutch Bruno Fernandes has been, as well as the situation surrounding Kobbie Mainoo, after his half-brother Jordan was photographed wearing a “Free Kobbie Mainoo” T-shirt. Next, we turn to Enzo Maresca’s situation at Chelsea following a surprise cryptic statement at the weekend, when he said it had been “the worst 48 hours” since he took charge. Charlie feels the comments were directed at the owners, not the players — but does Maresca still have enough credit in the bank, or is the pressure already building for him at Chelsea? Darren from the Chelsea view says he’s won two trophies and has a young side, which is improving all the time. Finally, we ask whether Aston Villa deserve to be third, examining Unai Emery’s side and their remarkable overperformance of xG. Charlie labels xG a “nonsense stat,” while Villa fan Justin joins us to argue that Villa can sustain this form consistently, despite the numbers suggesting they should be lower in the table. Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air. To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075. For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
Salah Farewell? A Three-Way Title Race?
Dec 15, 2025
Show notes
Rob Jones and Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony discuss the latest on Mo Salah. With Joe Gomez sidelined by injury, Salah came on twenty minutes into the match against Brighton on Saturday and assisted Hugo Ekitike’s goal — but was it a farewell to the club? Liverpool fan Sarah believes Salah still has a part to play and hopes he’ll return from AFCON and continue to feature in the side. We then consider Morgan Rogers’ impressive form as he helps drive Aston Villa into third place, just three points off leaders Arsenal. Does Villa’s current run make them genuine title contenders? Darragh believes Manchester City remain favourites and expects them to edge out Arsenal. Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air. To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075. For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
Can Arsenal cope with injuries? How should Slot deal with Salah?
Dec 12, 2025
Show notes
Will Perry is joined by Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony on today's episode of Sky Sports FC. We hear from Mikel Arteta on Arsenal's lengthening injury list... can the Gunners cope without some key players? Plus, as Arne Slot prepares to meet with Mo Salah, we chat with Liverpool fan Connor about what the future holds for the both the club and the player. Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air. To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075. For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
Do Man City look like winners this season?
Dec 11, 2025
Show notes
After Pep Guardiola played down Manchester City's chances of winning the Champions League, despite a win against Real Madrid - and whilst they sit second in the Premier League - we ask if there are still question marks about City's winning credentials this season? Will Perry is joined by Charlie Austin and City fan Nobbins - but do you agree with them? Plus, Noni Madueke scored twice as Arsenal beat Club Brugge - we discuss how close Madueke is to replacing Bukayo Saka in the Gunners' starting lineup. Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air. To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075. For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
Does Salah need to apologise to Liverpool? Is Maresca tinkering too much at Chelsea?
Dec 10, 2025
Show notes
Tom White and Peterborough Chairman Darragh MacAnthony discuss the fallout from Mohamed Salah’s explosive interview and his subsequent omission from the team in the win against Inter Milan. We’re joined by Liverpool fan Abigail, who supports Slot’s decision to drop Salah and argues that the club should always hold the power, not the player. Then we move on to Chelsea, and discuss the criticism of Enzo Maresca’s recent squad rotation, after no wins in the last four matches; Chelsea fan Charlie joins us, suggesting Maresca needs to simplify things, but do you agree? Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air. To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075. For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
Is there a way back for Salah?
Dec 09, 2025
Show notes
Jay Bothroyd is alongside Tom White as the fallout from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview continues on Sky Sports FC. After Salah was left out of Liverpool's squad for Tuesday's Champions League match at Inter Milan, we hear from head coach Arne Slot, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, and Liverpool fan Montel, as we ask if there's any way back for Salah at Anfield. Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air. To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075. For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
Should Salah stay or go at Liverpool?
Dec 08, 2025
Show notes
Welcome to another week of Sky Sports FC, the place to have your say on the biggest football stories. Matt Floyd is joined by Jamie O'Hara today and there's only one place to start - with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and his explosive post-match interview, after he was left on the bench during the Reds' draw with Leeds. We hear from Liverpool fans Sarah and Peter - but do you agree? Was Salah right to speak out? What does the future hold for him now? Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air. To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075. For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
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