The Athletic FC Podcast

Everton are rock bottom of the Premier League with zero points and zero goals from their opening three games, but their problems extend way beyond their on pitch struggles.Joining Ayo Akinwolere today is The Athletic's Everton correspondent Paddy Boyland and investigations writer Matt Slater to explain what the collapse of the MSP Capital deal means for both the club's new stadium and its transfer strategy, plus whether there's any light at the end of the tunnel.Plus, insight from Italian football writer James Horncastle, on whether their new striker, Beto, can at least help to end the goal drought.Produced by Adonis PratsidesAdditional Production: Mike Stavrou & Guy Clarke***• Grab your EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal by going to https://nordvpn.com/theathletic to get a Huge Discount off your NordVPN Plan + 4 months for free! It’s completely risk free with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Liverpool writer James Pearce and Nick Miller following Darwin Nunez's explosive cameo at St James' Park as the Reds came from behind to win 2-1.The panel analyse the Uruguayan's contribution and potential after a season of adaptation in the Premier League.Plus there's the latest on Liverpool's transfer search in the final week of the summer market as well as pondering the possibility of Mohamed Salah moving to Saudi Arabia.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead***• Grab your EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal by going to https://nordvpn.com/theathletic to get a Huge Discount off your NordVPN Plan + 4 months for free! It’s completely risk free with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Spiers takes on hosting duties of our weekend preview with help from Nick Miller, Nnamdi Onyeagwara, and Reuben Pinder. They break down the big talking points ahead of matchday three, including whether Newcastle or Liverpool are in with a title shout this year ahead of their Sunday clash, should Manchester United fans be worried ahead of a visit from Nottingham Forest, and is Everton vs Wolves already a relegation six-pointer?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a summer Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez has moved on and with Kevin De Bruyne struggling with injury, Man City's Bernardo Silva has committed his future to the club, signing a new one year contract extension through to 2026.Join Ayo Akinwolere as well as The Athletic's senior football writer Oli Kay and Manchester football writer Mark Critchley to dissect and debate the importance of the Portuguese during a turbulent time for City's midfield.Plus, our Man City writer Sam Lee drops by to share his thoughts on Phil Foden with the England international getting his long awaited chance to shine in the centre of midfield.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead***• Grab your EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal by going to https://nordvpn.com/theathletic to get a Huge Discount off your NordVPN Plan + 4 months for free! It’s completely risk free with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton and Sarah Shephard, to reflect on Manchester United's U-turn over the decision to bring back Mason Greenwood and discuss what's next for both?What really happened in the days after Adam's reporting revealed Chief Executive Richard Arnold's plans for Greenwood's re-integration with the first team. And did the combined statements leave us with more questions than answers?Plus, the panel are joined by Theresa Parker from Women's Aid - who've been in contact with the club this week - on the lessons that still need to be learned from this.Produced by Adonis PratsidesExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Dom Fifield and Jay Harris to reflect on the significance of Michael Olise's decision to stay at Crystal Palace, amid interest from serial spenders Chelsea...What is it about the 21-year-old winger that attracted interest from Chelsea (and even Manchester City) and is it important that so-called 'smaller' Premier League clubs, fight back against the tide of mega-rich teams - like Chelsea - stockpiling the best young prospects from elsewhere in the league.Produced by Adonis PratsidesAdditional Production: Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead***• Grab your EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal by going to https://nordvpn.com/theathletic to get a Huge Discount off your NordVPN Plan + 4 months for free! It’s completely risk free with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having scored three goals in his opening two La Liga games Jude Bellingham has enjoyed a meteoric start to his career with Real Madrid.The Athletic's Guillermo Rai and Dermot Corrigan join Ayo Akinwolere to analyse Bellingham's start to life in Madrid and role in Carlo Ancelotti's tactical overhaul.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead***• Grab your EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal by going to https://nordvpn.com/theathletic to get a Huge Discount off your NordVPN Plan + 4 months for free! It’s completely risk free with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a special bonus episode from The Athletic's team in Australia, Michelle Owen is joined by Michael Cox, Charlotte Harpur, Mark Carey and Laia Cervelló Herrero to reflect on how Spain became Women’s World Champions.Their 1-0 victory over the Lionesses sees La Roja go from entering the tournament with internal strife and acrimony, being humiliated 4-0 by Japan in the group stages; to winning the whole thing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Leventhal returns to preview the second round of fixtures of this Premier League season, featuring mouth-watering clashes such as Man City vs Newcastle, Spurs vs Man Utd, and... Nottingham Forest vs Sheffield United? Nick Miller is on hand to make the case for the latter, while Arsenal writer Art de Roche and Spurs correspondent Tim Spiers make up the rest of this star-studded (their words) panel.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yesterday Adam Crafton broke the news on The Athletic that Manchester United’s chief executive, Richard Arnold, told the club’s executive leadership in early August that United were planning to reintegrate Mason Greenwood into the first team.This comes after Greenwood had sexual assault charges against him dropped in February - charges that he denied.Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s deputy editor Laura Williamson, reporter Adam Crafton and Manchester United writer Laurie Whitwell to explain what has happened. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.