The Athletic FC Podcast

An international break gives Adam Leventhal and co a chance to sit down and reflect on the 12 gameweeks of Premier League action so far. With the help of Nick Miller, Jay Harris, and Caoimhe O’Neill, we start by asking whether Man City can be beaten to the title this season, with Liverpool and Arsenal looking like the key contenders.Then it's a trip to the foot of the table, and wondering whether the three promoted clubs - Burnley, Sheffield United, and Luton - can escape instant relegation. And finally, it's a tour of our moments of the season so far, featuring our favourite goals, matches, players, signings, and more!***• This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Find your bright spot this season, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL today to get 10% off your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the news that Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold will be stepping down to be replaced by Patrick Stewart on an interim basis, and with billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s company INEOS set to buy a 25 per cent stake in United, does this move represent the start of a change of direction after a difficult 12 months at the club? And can United live up to the claim they made to investors, that with the right support they can enjoy billion pound revenues? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Adam Crafton & Dan Sheldon.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead***• This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Find your bright spot this season, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL today to get 10% off your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reigning Serie A champions Napoli have parted company with head coach Rudi Garcia after just 16 matches in charge…Walter Mazzarri is the surprise replacement having previously been in charge of the club in 2013..So how have Napoli gone from winning their first league title in 33 years to sacking their manager just six months later?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Italian football writer James Horncastle.Produced by Mike StavrouExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead***• This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Find your bright spot this season, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL today to get 10% off your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having taken Bayer Leverkusen from the relegation zone to the top of the Bundesliga within 13 months of taking charge, Xabi Alonso has made a meteoric start to his managerial career.After playing under some of the biggest names in coaching during his playing career, including the likes of Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benitez, Alonso has already begun to forge an impressive reputation for himself.The Athletic's Raphael Honigstein and Thom Harris join Ayo Akinwolere to analyse Alonso's start in coaching at Leverkusen, which influences have shown within his side as well as assessing what could come next for the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder.Produced by Guy ClarkeAdditional Production by Mike StavrouExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead***• This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Find your bright spot this season, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL today to get 10% off your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amongst the chaos at Stamford Bridge yesterday there was a top draw performance from one of the usual suspects in Raheem Sterling.But despite being one of the best players on the pitch in Chelsea’s four four draw with Manchester City, Sterling has - once again - not made the latest England squad.So is Sterling being unfairly overlooked or has Gareth Southgate moved on with new faces, such as Chelsea teammate Cole Palmer?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Man City writer Sam Lee, Chelsea writer Simon Johnson as well as Oli Kay.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead ***• This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Find your bright spot this season, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL today to get 10% off your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Leventhal welcomes Jay Harris, Jon Mackenzie, and Omar Garrick to the studio to preview the weekend's fixtures. Chelsea vs Manchester City headlines the weekend's action as Pochettino's side look to claim another big scalp after taking down Spurs on Monday. Tottenham will look to regroup despite losing four key players to injury or suspension as they take a trip to Wolves.Elsewhere, Brighton are five games without a Premier League win; we ask Tifo tactics expert Jon Mackenzie whether other managers have figured them out, or if it's just a blip, as they prepare to take on Sheffield United. Finally, as Manchester United lurch from one crisis to another, surely they have enough to beat Luton at home? All that and more!Produced by John RogersExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead***• Make time to chill this holiday season and reach for the beer that’s Made to Chill. Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Drizly or Instacart by going to coorslight.com/athleticfootball  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Both Rasmus Hojlund and Nicolas Jackson have felt the weight of expectation following their respective summer moves to Man United and Chelsea.To analyse their starts to life in the Premier League Ayo Akinwolere is joined by former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor and ex-Brighton & Hove Albion forward Glenn Murray as well as The Athletic's Oliver Kay.The panel assess the impact of the environment both players are operating in, the options available within the transfer market for 'elite' clubs as well as what it will take for both Hojlund and Jackson to succeed.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead***• Make time to chill this holiday season and reach for the beer that’s Made to Chill. Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Drizly or Instacart by going to coorslight.com/athleticfootball  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's German football writers Raphael Honigstein and Seb Stafford-Bloor as well as ex-Bundesliga striker Jan Aage Fjortoft to analyse Borussia Dortmund following their 2-0 Champions League win over Newcastle United.Having lost out on the Bundesliga title on the final day of the 2022/23 season before selling Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid in the summer, the panel analyse what is possible for Edin Terzic's side both domestically and in Europe.With Bellingham following on from the likes of Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho in leaving Dortmund in recent seasons, we also delve into their changing approach in the transfer market as well as the influence of their supporters.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead***• Make time to chill this holiday season and reach for the beer that’s Made to Chill. Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Drizly or Instacart by going to coorslight.com/athleticfootball  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forget the famous ‘Battle of the Bridge’, Tottenham vs Chelsea was 'Monday night Madness' in North London.Host Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton, Chelsea writer Liam Twomey and Spurs writer Charlie Eccleshare to explore whether Postecoglou's side really emerged stronger in defeat?Plus, what can Chelsea take from a huge win that was arguably one of their worst performances of the season?Produced by Adonis Pratsides & Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead***• Make time to chill this holiday season and reach for the beer that’s Made to Chill. Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Drizly or Instacart by going to coorslight.com/athleticfootball  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arteta's Arsenal were furious with VAR following their defeat at St James’ Park on Saturday evening, but with just one shot on target in match - should they be more concerned with their own misfiring attack?From his brilliant hat-trick at home to Sheffield United - to being subbed with his team in need of a goal in Newcastle - has Nketiah become the fall-guy for Arsenal’s need to evolve in attack? Host Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's David Ornstein and Arsenal writer James McNicholas to explore the Gunners' creative problems and their January transfer plans.Produced by Adonis PratsidesAdditional Production: Mike StavrouExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead***• Make time to chill this holiday season and reach for the beer that’s Made to Chill. Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Drizly or Instacart by going to coorslight.com/athleticfootball  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.