On The Continent - A European Football Podcast

David Cartlidge, a passionate football writer and analyst, joins to explore the bright future of European football talent. He discusses the leading youth production in France and the evolution of academy styles in Spain and Portugal. Notable wonderkids include the physically-ready Alfonso Moreira and technical prodigies from Athletic Bilbao, while shifts in player archetypes signal a new era of football. From Sevilla's Nico Guillén to Köln's Saeed El Mala, they spotlight rising stars poised to make waves by 2026.

Few players have gone on the journey that Benfica and Ukraine goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin has been on. War has affected every part of Ukrainian football. Today, Trubin joins Andy to share his experience of playing for Shakhtar and Ukraine after the Russian invasion in 2022.Plus, he discusses his move to Benfica, the difficulties he had adapting to life in Portugal and playing under “the Special One” José Mourinho.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Merry Christmas, one and all! As the year draws to a close and 2026 beckons, we’re answering some of your questions about this year in European football.Andy is joined by Lars and David to explore why next year’s World Cup could be historic, which teams exceeded expectations, what players we would gift to a club, whether England’s set-piece fever has made it’s way to mainland Europe - and of course - we make our bold predictions for 2026.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone knows Kylian Mbappé, the historic glamour of Real Madrid and how Pep Guardiola revolutionised football as we know it. But what about those unexplored stories found through La Liga’s illustrious history?Andy’s joined by Brendan Madden - author of the brilliant new book ‘Once Upon a Time in La Liga’ - for a chat about how he’s uncovered the league’s most incredible hidden stories while watching Spanish football as an analyst for the last two decades. From the amazing life of the man who gave the world ‘Tiki-taka’ to the league’s most captivating derbies and the amazing debut from a hip-shaking upstart called Ronaldinho, they celebrate the magic of perhaps the iconic European football league of the last two decades.Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Robert Lewandowski weighs up a possible move to MLS, Andy, Dotun and David Cartlidge reflect on the career of one of Europe's most prolific strikers. Where does the Polish icon rank among the continent's all-time great forwards?Also on the show: could Jobe Bellingham leave Borussia Dortmund after yet another setback? Who can Barcelona bring in to replace Ronald Araújo? And which unsung players from across Europe's leagues will shine at AFCON?Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Cartlidge, a seasoned football writer, joins to dissect PSG's recent courtroom drama involving Kylian Mbappé, who was awarded €60m from the club. They explore the implications for PSG's reputation and the evolving dynamic of player rights versus club power in football. The discussion then shifts to Mauro Icardi's uncertain future at Galatasaray, with speculation about a possible return to Serie A. Lastly, they dive into Real Sociedad's struggles, pondering if this signals trouble for Basque football as a whole.

Join Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini as they coast through more of your continental queries! If you're curious about the latest young English striker making waves in the Bundesliga, wondering whether Antonio Conte is prioritising Napoli's domestic form at the Champions League's expense or struggling to comprehend the scale of the betting scandal engulfing Turkish football - well, we've got you covered! Plus, Levante desperately try to avoid La Liga relegation and Atalanta step up as the latest Champions League surprise package! Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two losses at the Bernabéu in four days and the Madrid media storm is kicking up around Xabi Alonso. But, is he to blame for Real Madrid’s issues? Today, Dotun, Andy and Nicky Bandini try to get to the bottom of what’s really going wrong for Los Blancos.Elsewhere, Marseille have hit their straps in the Champions League. Andy outlines why the De Zerbi project has been a success so far. Plus, Nicky tries to explain Fiorentina’s woes, but can the club defy the odds and avoid relegation?Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ajax are famed for their electric matchday atmosphere, but when their match against Groningen was abandoned after just six minutes due to a firework display, we have to ask: is this a symptom of Ajax's current situation? And what consequences should follow for those responsible?Dotun, Andy and Jonathan Johnson deliver their verdicts. Also on the agenda, why is Ligue 1 better than ever? Could AC Milan realistically move for Jean-Philippe Mateta? And why have Strasbourg banned one of their standout strikers from playing?Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Barcelona's 3-1 victory against Atlético Madrid kept them at the top of La Liga, but with Atleti missing a huge chance to close the gap on Spain's big boys, can we already write Diego Simeone's team out of the title race?Dotun and Andy are joined by Jonathan Johnson to discuss that. Plus, Kenan Yıldız continues to be the difference-maker for Juve as he proves decisive in three back-to-back wins for the Old Lady. Is he on his way to becoming the next superstar in Turin? And finally, things aren't so nice in Nice as their players are attacked by their own supporters following a sixth straight defeat. How on earth have things got this bad?Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.