The Athletic FC Podcast

Carl Anka, football journalist known for tactical and contextual insight, and Tom Williams, match-reporting football reporter, dissect PSG’s wobble after winning Europe. They debate fatigue from extra fixtures, how injuries and rotation hurt PSG’s system, and whether Premier League intensity and surprising Ligue 1 challengers change the Champions League picture.

Duncan Alexander, football data analyst who breaks down probabilities and trends, and Oliver Kay, seasoned football journalist with tactical and historical insight. They debate whether Arsenal or Manchester City can pull off the rare quadruple. Short takes on squad depth, fixture congestion, tactical adaptability, historical comparisons and how luck and draws could decide this extraordinary chase.

Mark Carey, football writer and analyst, and Michael Cox, tactical journalist famed for deep game analysis. They dissect VAR's expanded remit, countdowns for throw-ins and restarts, substitution and treatment timing tweaks, Wenger's offside trial and offside technicalities. They also debate coach challenge proposals and how IFAB shapes rule changes.

Richard Sutcliffe, Wrexham reporter with local insight, and Adrian Clarke, experienced EFL tactician, preview the Wrexham vs Chelsea FA Cup clash. They discuss Wrexham’s Hollywood atmosphere and wing-back crossing threat. They weigh Chelsea’s rotation, goalkeeper doubts, and how tactical tweaks might shape an entertaining cup tie.

Chris Waugh, Newcastle correspondent who covers form and European strain. Stuart James, seasoned football journalist with sharp Premier League analysis. Jacob Tanswell, Aston Villa reporter who tracks tactics and squad issues. They dissect Villa's sudden slide, defensive frailties, Watkins' goal drought, Emery's tactics and the wider financial and competitive stakes of chasing the Champions League.

Jay Harris, sharp-tongued football commentator on tactics and club issues, and David Ornstein, investigative reporter famed for transfer and governance scoops, debate Spurs’ perilous league position. They discuss Tudor’s appointment, structural mismanagement, fixture run-in, injuries and medical churn, ownership and recruitment failures, financial fallout of relegation, and which players might stay or leave.

Matt Slater, football business journalist who covers broadcasting and media rights. Adam Leventhal, sports broadcaster with expertise in streaming and piracy. They discuss the Premier League’s Singapore streaming trial. They explore how the league will control pricing, production and customer service. They debate broadcaster responses, piracy drivers and tactics to reach younger fans.

Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent known for match analysis and dressing-room insight, and Matt Slater, football finance reporter who breaks down club business, discuss Chelsea’s on-field discipline, managerial authority and small behavioral fixes. They unpack the club’s massive £342m loss, ownership strategy and commercial doubts. They also weigh Champions League stakes for transfers, contracts and credibility.

Cerys Jones, football journalist and podcaster with sharp Premier League insight, and Art de Roché, reporter and analyst known for tactical depth, preview Arsenal vs Chelsea. They discuss Arsenal’s momentum from Spurs, defensive errors and discipline, Chelsea’s struggles despite good form, tactical matchups, key absences, and which players could swing the game.

Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero, a tactical football reporter, and James Horncastle, an Italian-football specialist, debate whether recent Champions League shocks mean Serie A is broken. They unpack Inter and Juventus' exits, Bodo/Glimt's fearless rise, lessons from Atalanta's model, and why club finances and scouting shape continental fortunes.