The Athletic FC Podcast

Jack Pitt-Brooke, football reporter and analyst, and Stu James, football journalist and commentator, debate England’s World Cup squad choices. They discuss auditioning fringe players in friendlies. They analyze centre-back pairings, right-back dilemmas, striker backup options and the goalkeeper quartet. They also weigh midfield partnerships and who should support Kane in attack.

Andy Mitten, longtime Manchester United commentator and fanzine editor, offers fan-focused context. Matt Slater, football journalist and Athletic contributor, explains ownership models and investment logic. They discuss varied Premier League owners, Manchester United’s hybrid control, why spending must fund infrastructure as well as players, and which ownership styles win fan trust.

Oli Kay, football journalist known for tactical and contextual analysis, and David Ornstein, experienced transfer and club correspondent, dissect Mohamed Salah’s imminent Liverpool exit. They explore why he left and how his form changed. They examine financial and squad implications, likely next destinations, and what Liverpool’s recruitment and strategy will look like going forward.

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.

Art de Roché, Arsenal analyst known for tactical clarity, and Adam Crafton, seasoned Premier League reporter, debate Guardiola’s Carabao Cup boost and how City’s low block stifled Arsenal. They spotlight Nico O’Reilly’s breakout and compare academy talents. They question a goalkeeper call, weigh the loss’s effect on Arsenal’s title tilt, and reflect on Spurs’ slump and Sunderland’s surprise rise.

Duncan Alexander, football data specialist offering statistical context. Mark Carey, match analyst with sharp observational reporting. Michael Cox, tactics expert known for deep tactical and historical insight. They debate the 68-goal Round of 16 spike. They argue how removing away goals altered approaches. They unpack Manchester City’s exit, Guardiola’s European record, and which teams look like favourites: Bayern, Arsenal and Barcelona among others.

Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal and Brazil forward known for his City success, discusses his move to Arsenal and the relationship that sealed it. He compares Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta, describes Arteta’s training methods and dressing-room chemistry. Talks set-piece importance, coping with near-misses in title races, his recovery from a knee injury and ambitions for Brazil and the Champions League.

Cerys Jones, football reporter offering sharp squad and player analysis. Tim Spiers, journalist known for tactical and Manchester City context. They preview the Carabao Cup final at Wembley. They debate why the trophy matters more to Arsenal. They dissect Guardiola's situation, key matchups like Haaland vs Gabriel, goalkeeper choices and narrow victory predictions.

Simon Johnson, Chelsea correspondent who explains club perspective, and Matt Slater, investigative reporter on football finance, debate Chelsea's undisclosed transfer payments and the £10.75m fine. They discuss how the takeover exposed payments, why cooperation cut punishment, whether sanctions look inconsistent, and what this ruling might mean for future high-profile financial cases.

Jack Pitt-Brooke, football journalist covering Chelsea, PSG and City. James Allcott, broadcaster offering tactical and fan-perspective analysis. They dissect Chelsea’s 8-2 loss to PSG. They debate whether Rosenior’s position is secure, explore squad building, recruitment and tactical consistency. They contrast Chelsea’s churn with Arsenal’s steadier rebuild and discuss Enzo Fernández’s future.