The Athletic FC Podcast

Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Inter in their opening Champions League fixture was far from convincing.

Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic's Liam Twomey and Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero to get into Jose Mourinho’s return to the Spanish capital, the panel discuss whether he’s the man to bring silverware back to the Bernabeu amid familiar problems to last season.

Plus, with the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or revealed, could Harry Kane become just the fourth Englishman to win the award?

Host: Emma Paton
Co-hosts: Liam Twomey, Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero
Featuring: Guillermo Rai

Exec Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Jay Beale
Videographer: Liam Warburton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After seeing a late move for Folarin Balogun collapsed Everton have been left with 18 senior first team players, something manager David Moyes seems less than pleased by.

Emma Paton is with David Ornstein and James Horncastle to analyse Everton's transfer dealings, discuss why things played out in the manner they did - including looking likely to strike a deal to sell Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest.

The Friedkin Group are also exploring investment opportunities in the club, so the panel assess the relationship the owners have with the club having only taken control in December 2024.

Plus there's the latest Ask Ornstein and The Athletic's Barcelona correspondent Pol Ballus also joins us to talk about Marcus Rashford's reintegration at Manchester United, following his loan spell at the Camp Nou last season.

Host: Emma Paton
With: David Ornstein and James Horncastle
Featuring: Pol Ballus

Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producer: Jay Beale
Videographer: Grayson Moody
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal made it three wins from three at the start of the new Premier League season, coming from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates.

Emma Paton is joined by former England goalkeeper Rob Green and The Athletic's Matt Slater to look back on the weekend's action.

Art de Roche shares his thoughts on Arsenal's attacking rotations on show against Chelsea, with Liam Twomey assessing how far off becoming title challengers Xabi Alonso's side are.

Moving away from the Emirates, the panel assess who else could challenge for the title this season, with Man City being the only other side to take maximum points so far.

Plus, Rob analyses the most noteworthy goalkeeping performances of the weekend and with the transfer window now closed, there's a look at which players could still be available on free transfers!

Host: Emma Paton
With: Rob Green and Matt Slater
Featuring: Art de Roche and Liam Twomey

Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producer: Jay Beale
Videographer: Liam Warburton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For episode two of What If... we're talking Chelsea's former owner Roman Abramovich - and the parallel universe where he buys Spurs, or even Arsenal, instead of the Blues.

Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic's Tim Spiers and Spurs writer Jack Pitt-Brooke and Chelsea writer Liam Twomey to delve into the influence of Abramovich and how he changed the game forever.

Our alternative timeline ponders what would happen to Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Mourinho and the Premier League's ownership and investment landscape had Abramovich not taken over.

Host: Emma Paton
Guests: Tim Spiers, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Liam Twomey
Executive Producer: Adam Jones
Producers: Mike Stavrou, Grayson Moody
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to the Tactical Preview, this week, our focus is on Arsenal vs Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Kate Mason is joined by former England goalkeeper Rob Green and The Athletic’s Tactics writer Liam Tharme to analyse Xabi Alonso’s low-possession style from their first two games and how their potent attack could go about breaking down a stubborn Arsenal side.

The panel also discuss squad building, with multiple clubs going through big changes in personnel over the summer window.

They also look at Everton vs Manchester United, Nottingham Forest vs Spurs and Newcastle vs Bournemouth - and focus on how the three B’s: Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton, constantly reinvent themselves.

Host: Kate Mason
Guests: Rob Green, Liam Tharme
Executive Producer: Adam Jones
Producers: Mike Stavrou, Liam Warburton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.