The Athletic FC Podcast Who are the Premier League's most powerful figures?
Mar 24, 2026
Carl Anka, football writer and analyst who breaks down recruitment and managerial roles. Matt Slater, seasoned football journalist focused on owners and club structures. They debate player influence versus long-term club power. They dissect superstar off-field impact, the rise and limits of sporting directors, and who truly controls clubs: managers, directors or owners.
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Superstars Are Global Commercial Engines
- Superstar players now deliver huge off-field value via social media and global profile beyond on-pitch contributions.
- Carl Anka uses Cristiano Ronaldo's follower-driven commercial impact and Juventus/Man United follower shifts as examples.
Xhaka Signalled Sunderland's Ambition
- Carl Anka points to Granit Xhaka's Sunderland move as a signalling signing that attracted other players and suggested serious ambition.
- He argues Xhaka could be Sunderland's most important player for up to three years if they stay up.
Recruitment Matters More Than Individual Stars
- Clubs replace departed stars frequently; recruitment and decision-makers determine whether replacements succeed.
- Matt Slater contrasts Brentford and Bournemouth replacing talent successfully with Southampton's decline after losing recruitment edge.
