The Game

Latest Episodes:

Will Alexander Isak stay at Newcastle? Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

The Times’ Northern Sports Correspondent Martin Hardy analyses the chances of Alexander Isak remaining at St James’ Park and the potential destinations should Newcastle’s star striker leave. He also discusses preparations ahead of massive seasons for newly promoted clubs Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley. Plus, Hamzah Khalique-Loonat on Lee Carsley’s England Under 21s, who are into a second successive European Championship final.

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Transfer latest: Manchester United, Wolves, Villa and Forest Jun 23, 2025

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After the capture of Matheus Cunha, what next for Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United? Charlotte Duncker discusses summer transfers and new season ambitions at Old Trafford and chats about potential comings and goings at Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Wolves.

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Your favourite football kit and what it tells you? Jun 19, 2025

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The Club World Cup is up and running, with some serious prize money on offer. Judging by the line ups of Chelsea and Manchester City in their first games, they’re talking it seriously. Pete Rutzler is in Philadelphia following Chelsea; he has been assessing local interest in the tournament and also gives an update on the blues new signings and other potential transfer business.

After the break, what’s in a football shirt? We’ve all got our favourites but do they also offer a secret guide to global and local history. From Russian gas giants Gazprom to Young's fish in Grimsby; football shirts offer a snapshot of the economy at point in time. The team look at the big picture but also indulge in some nostalgia as they go through their favourites…

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Wirtz to Liverpool and Cherki joins up with Manchester City Jun 16, 2025

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It has already been a busy summer of transfer activity. Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool have all brought big signings in to their teams.

In this episode we hear the latest from Manchester City’s camp as they welcome new signing Rayan Cherki to their Club World Cup campaign and from our Liverpool reporter Paul Joyce as they prepare to break the British record transfer fee for Florian Wirtz.

Plus, a low down on how the Club World Cup is being received in the states and if/when it is likely to get more competitive.

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Bellingham revolts and Tuchel’s troubles Jun 12, 2025

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First, they were embarrassed, then they were humiliated. It wasn’t the start Thomas Tuchel had in mind for his England team.

How big are the problems he faces – a full rebuild or just cosmetic? To make matters worse Tuchel gave an interview in which he referred to his star player Jude Bellingham. He suggested his behaviour could be perceived as repulsive by some. Were the comments a distraction from a loss to Senegal, or a hint at deeper issues?

The club World Cup starts next week – does football ever end? What effect will the work load have on the two English sides in attendance Chelsea and Man City? Both have signed players in time for the tournament so they must be taking it seriously…

The women’s Euros is just around the corner…is Sarina Wiegman’s camp any happier than the men’s as they prepare to defend their title?

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Who follows Ange Postecoglou and are England going backwards? Jun 09, 2025

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Seventeen days after ending Spurs’ seventeen year wait for a trophy Ange Postecoglou was out, sacked by Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy. Was it the right decision? Was leading Spurs to their lowest finish in over forty years a sackable offence? Or are the club constantly asking their managers to overachieve, given their wage bill in comparison to other top six teams?

Thomas Frank looks to be in line to replace Postecoglou, what will he bring?

After the break a look at a lack lustre England. Will a demanding Thomas Tuchel be able to achieve his plans with so little time with the players? And where does this England team’s greatest weakness lie?

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Transfer latest, Grealish future and England squads Jun 05, 2025

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Will England be the best prepared team at next year’s World Cup? Will it matter?

As they head into a friendly with Andorra how many true tests of his team will Thomas Tuchel face before the World Cup? And what has happened to England's forward line from the 2022 Euros…only one remains first choice at his club.

Domestically teams are making early moves in the transfer market. Could Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo be good signing for Manchester United? Does that mean Bruno Fernandes has to leave? And Manchester City are in the process of a re-build so, where does that leave Jack Grealish?

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Are PSG the future of football? And transfers you’d like to see… Jun 02, 2025

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PSG finally have their European crown, and they look phenomenal in winning it. Did their demolition of Inter Milan set a new standard? Gone are gifted forwards who don’t work for the team, now talents such as Doue, Dembele and Kvaratskhelia putting in performances with breath taking effort from start to finish. What st them apart as a team this year?

But… is their triumph tainted by where the money comes from? Does the influence of Qatar also set a new standard?

After the break, transfers you’d like to see, serious and not so serious, signings that haven’t worked this season and which might not work next year?

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Chelsea champions of Europe (sort of), Man United mortified in Malaysia May 29, 2025

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Chelsea triumph in Wrocław (which is in Poland) to bring home the first major trophy of the Boehly-Clearlake era. So are things looking up for next season? Meanwhile United's post season, pre season friendly tour of Asia turned to misery as they lost 1-0 to Asean All-Stars to boos from the initially adoring Malaysian fans. Amorim astutely pointed out: ‘We should win these kind of games’. Tom Clarke is joined by Tony Cascarino and Martin Samuel to discuss all that and more.

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Play Off finals – winners and losers May 28, 2025

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The play offs are done and dusted.

For Sunderland their manager Regis Le Bris championed his team’s togetherness, it showed as they scored another last gasp winner. For Sheffield united, heart break as their woeful Wembley record continues.

In League One Charlton went through the play offs without conceding a goal, that was enough to see off Leyton Orient. Manager Nathan Jones made no apology for his teams approach.

A scrappy League Two final saw up and down Walsall face one last heart break losing to AFC Wimbledon. How do they come back from that?

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