Stay ConnectedThe Athletic’s flagship football podcast, hosted by Ayo Akinwolere and featuring the likes of David Ornstein, Phil Hay, Adam Crafton and Matt Slater will take you inside the biggest stories in football told by the best reporters in the business. We cut through the noise to tell you what’s really happening – and why it matters.
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Two years on from Senegal ending their wait for glory, AFCON returns this weekend.
Does this year's tournament represent Mohamed Salah’s best chance to finally lay claim to being King of the Continent?
Meanwhile, Andre Onana, one of Africa’s most high profile players, once again sees his international career in jeopardy.
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by former Ivory Coast defender Sol Bamba as well as The Athletic's Jay Harris, Mark Critchley and Thom Harris.
Produced by Guy Clarke
Additional Production by Jay Beale
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Last summer, the list of high-profile players leaving some of Europe’s biggest clubs to join the Saudi Pro League seemed to get longer by the day…
What started with a multi-million-pound pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo in December 2022 soon expanded to include the likes of Karim Benzema, Ruben Neves and of course, Jordan Henderson.
Well, now it seems Henderson wants out - and to return to the Premier League.
But it may not be that easy and could come at a significant cost... So what would an exit from the Saudi Pro League cost Henderson?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Sarah Shephard & Oliver Kay.
Produced by Adonis Pratsides & Jay Beale
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
So Tottenham have agreed a loan deal for RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner.
A player who - it’s fair to say - was a disappointment at Chelsea.
But if the German international fits the profile and style Spurs are looking for..
Can Ange Postecoglou be the one to unlock Werner’s potential?
Host Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic’s Spurs writer Jack-Pitt Brooke, Liam Twomey who as one of our Chelsea writers was there to witness Werner’s time at Stamford Bridge and European writer Seb Stafford-Bloor who is based in Germany.
Produced by Mike Stavrou.
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Arsenal were beaten 2-0 at home yesterday by Liverpool in the FA Cup. That was despite creating a number of good chances and having relative ‘control’ of the game throughout...
Something Gunners' fans haven’t seen since… well, the West Ham game last week! So, how worrying is this pattern for Arteta?
And what’s their way out - Is it through coaching? Or in the January transfer window?
Host Adam Leventhal is joined by former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke and The Athletic's James McNicholas to discuss.
Produced by Adonis Pratsides
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Weekend Preview returns for 2024 with an FA Cup special.
Headlining the show is the first Tyne-and-Wear derby since 2016, as a wounded Newcastle head to their local rivals Sunderland.
Meanwhile, the highest-profile clash sees fourth-place Arsenal welcome table-topping Liverpool on Sunday. Arsenal are in poor form, but how much will Liverpool miss Mo Salah, who’s just left for AFCON?
Another all-Premier League tie is Brentford vs Wolves, which Jon Mackenzie is off to attend. With Brentford only a couple of places outside the relegation zone, could a cup win re-ignite their season?
And finally, we whip out the crystal ball and offer some predictions for the year ahead, covering winners, losers, new trends and best players.
Host: Adam Leventhal
Guests: Nick Miller, Jon Mackenzie, Tim Spiers
Producer: John Rogers
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Victory last night means Real Madrid have reached the halfway stage of La Liga as league leaders on goal difference.
But in terms of stability, resources and recruitment they look miles ahead of everyone else in Spain - and most clubs across Europe.
So with the future of manager Carlo Ancelotti secured, overseeing a clutch of talented youngsters in their redeveloped iconic stadium what, if anything, do they need to do to improve? Apart from adding Kylian Mbappe...
Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's La Liga writer Dermot Corrigan and Junior Spain Editor Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero to discuss Madrid's season so far as well as analyse the ongoing chase to sign Mbappe.
Produced by Guy Clarke
Additional Production by Jay Beale
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Now that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in Manchester United has finally been confirmed, how will this impact the club’s January window?
Even if players are sold, is spending even possible given FFP concerns? And is Jadon Sancho set to follow Donny van de Beek out the door at Old Trafford?
Michael Bailey is joined by The Athletic's Football Correspondent David Ornstein, Adam Crafton and Manchester United writer Laurie Whitwell
Produced by Guy Clarke
Additional Production by Mike Stavrou
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Adam Leventhal returns to preview the last set of games before Christmas.
First up, a Christmas cracker at the top of the table, with Arsenal visiting Anfield. The Gunners lead the league but are without a win away to Liverpool in over a decade.
Elsewhere West Ham host Man United, where they have a chance to overtake the Red Devils in the table, while guest Jon Mackenzie shares his controversial take on David Moyes.
Other storylines ahead of this weekend include Everton going for 5 wins in a row versus Spurs and a debut at Nottingham Forest for Nuno Espirito Santo.
And finally, for our last show of 2023, we look back on our best and worst moments of the year, and make some Christmas wishes for 2024.
Host: Adam Leventhal
Guests: Jay Harris, Jon Mackenzie, Tim Spiers
Producer: John Rogers
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
They were frustrated by Man United last weekend, sensational against West Ham last night... Liverpool’s last two games sum up the predicament many fans find themselves in when trying to assess whether Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0 are really ready to win the Premier League this season.
Do they need to strengthen in January, are they still over-reliant on talisman Mo Salah and will Arsenal this weekend provide a definitive acid-test?
Plus, how the club have reacted to Thursday's big news that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) attempts to block a potential European Super League were “unlawful”.
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Liverpool correspondent James Pearce to discuss.
Produced by Adonis Pratsides
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Even as Nuno Espirito Santo becomes Nottingham Forest's new manager, the fanbase continues to mourn the departure of Steve Cooper - a coach widely regarded as their best since legendary club figure Brian Clough...
This is a story that will resonate with fans all over the world - why there is no room for sentiment in modern football.
So, does Evangelos Marinakis have a plan, or are this just the latest example of a Premier League side run entirely on the impulses of their wealthy owner?
Produced by Jay Beale
Executive Producer: Adonis Pratsides
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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