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The Athletic FC Podcast

The Athletic

The Athletic's flagship football podcast, hosted by Ayo Akinwolere and featuring the likes of David Ornstein, Phil Hay, Adam Crafton and Matt Slater will take you inside the biggest stories in football told by the best reporters in the business. We cut through the noise to tell you what’s really happening - and why it matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Location:

United States

Networks:

The Athletic

Description:

The Athletic's flagship football podcast, hosted by Ayo Akinwolere and featuring the likes of David Ornstein, Phil Hay, Adam Crafton and Matt Slater will take you inside the biggest stories in football told by the best reporters in the business. We cut through the noise to tell you what’s really happening - and why it matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Language:

English


Episodes
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What does Kane's first trophy prove?

5/15/2025
Harry Kane’s trophy drought is over having helped Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga in his second season in Germany. But is one Bundesliga trophy enough for the England captain - and is silverware the only marker of success? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Seb Stafford-Bloor and Art De Roche Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:40:18

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Is it ever OK to boo your own players?

5/14/2025
On Sunday afternoon Trent Alexander-Arnold was booed at Anfield. So why do supporters boo their own players and is it ever acceptable? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Pearce, Oli Kay, Carl Anka Featuring: Art de Roché, Simon Johnson, Chris Waugh Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:39:27

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Will Brentford lose Mbeumo & Wissa this summer?

5/13/2025
Brentford’s dynamic duo Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have lit up the Premier League once again this season. But with Thomas Frank admitting Mbeumo could be sold this summer - what does the future hold for him and strike partner Wissa? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jay Harris & Liam Tharme Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:33:41

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Real Madrid have collapsed - can Alonso fix them?

5/12/2025
Real Madrid are in chaos following the latest El Clasico, throwing away at 2-0 lead before falling to a 4-3 defeat. Knocked out of the Champions League and defeat to Barcelona makes another league title unlikely. So where has it all gone wrong for Real Madrid and is Xabi Alonso the man to fix them? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Dermot Corrigan, Guillermo Rai and Seb Stafford-Bloor Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:41:51

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Man United & Spurs book this season's unlikeliest final

5/9/2025
On Thursday night both Manchester United and Spurs got the job done in the Europa League to book their place in Bilbao. One of them will be the Champions League next season - but who will be joining them via the Premier League? This weekend's standout fixture comes at St. James' Park as Newcastle United welcome Chelsea in a meeting of 4th v 5th. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Tim Spiers and Oliver Kay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:38:37

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Why can't Arsenal get over the line?

5/8/2025
Arsenal’s European journey is over after losing 3-1 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain. So where does this leave Mikel Arteta’s process and why can’t Arsenal get over the line? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Art De Roche, Phil Hay and Liam Tharme Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:37:37

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Have Inzaghi's Inter proven how good they really are?

5/7/2025
Inter are through to the Champions League final after a breathtaking semi-final against Barcelona. So where does that rank among the best knockout matches in the competition's history? And are Inter favourites to lift the trophy now? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Pol Ballus & Max Callegari Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:35:20

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Will Wirtz headline Man City's summer rebuild?

5/6/2025
Manchester City have had a disappointing season compared to their usually high standards. But the summer window offers Pep Guardiola the chance to rebuild. So which players are they targeting? And will it be enough for them to be Premier League contenders once again? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Sam Lee & Phil Hay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:00:57:33

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Why is Trent leaving Liverpool?

5/5/2025
Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool. So why has he decided to leave on a free transfer? And with Real Madrid the likely destination, what makes them a better option? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Pearce, Mario Cortegana and Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:00:45:25

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Why is Trent leaving Liverpool?

5/5/2025
Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool. So why has he decided to leave on a free transfer? And with Real Madrid the likely destination, what makes them a better option? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Pearce, Mario Cortegana and Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:37:10

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Will Man United or Spurs save their awful seasons?

5/2/2025
Manchester United and Tottenham’s hopes of Champions League football next season are well and truly alive after comprehensive victories in their Europa League semi-final first legs. While Nottingham Forest’s dreams of qualifying for Europe’s elite competition via the Premier League have been dented, after losing 2-0 at home to Brentford. Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's Manchester United correspondent Carl Anka, Spurs correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke and football writer Tim Spiers to reflect on Thursday night's action and what it means for the clubs chasing European football. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Carl Anka, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Tim Spiers Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:40:17

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When will Wrexham reach the Premier League?

5/1/2025
Wrexham are now just one step away from the Premier League having now achieved three successive promotions from National League to Championship. How have they managed to climb so quickly and when can we expect to see them in the top flight? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Richard Sutcliffe, Matt Slater and Felipe Cardenas Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:41:49

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How do Arsenal hit back in Paris?

4/30/2025
Arsenal have it all to do in Paris after a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie. So how did Luis Enrique’s PSG get the better of the Gunners? And can Arsenal stage a comeback in the second leg? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Art de Roché & Stuart James Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:33:56

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Champions League final four: Who are favourites?

4/29/2025
The Champions League semi-finals get underway tonight as Arsenal welcome PSG to the Emirates Stadium. The winner of that tie faces either Barcelona or Inter in the final. So how are the four teams shaping up, and who are the favourites to win it? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Max Callegari, Tomas Hill-Lopez Menchero, Tom Williams, Jordan Campbell Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:51:29

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How do Liverpool build on title success?

4/28/2025
Liverpool are Premier League champions after securing their second title in five years at home to Tottenham Hotspur, their first in front of supporters since 1990. So how has Arne Slot done it and what needs to be done for Liverpool to stay at the top next season? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Pearce, Andy Jones and David Ornstein Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:46:18

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Premier League Draft: Picking our all-time XIs

4/27/2025
With the NFL Draft looming large this weekend, we decided to take a spin on the format and bring it into the world of the Premier League. What would it look like if we held an All-Time Premier League Draft? Which legends go first and can anyone build the perfect squad? Host: Duncan Alexander With: Jacob Whitehead, Oli Kay, and Jack Lang Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou & Liam Warburton Premier League Draft article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6301841/2025/04/24/premier-league-draft/ Teams: Jacob: Cech, Azpilicueta, Van Dijk, Kompany, Baines, Rodri, Lampard, Silva, Salah, Rooney, Giggs Jack: Alisson, Walker, Ferdinand, Campbell, Irwin, Kante, Fabregas, De Bruyne, Hazard, Shearer, Henry Duncan: Ederson, Ferreira, Adams, Vidic, Robertson, Keane, Toure, Beckham, Bergkamp, Aguero, Suarez Oli: Schmeichel, Alexander-Arnold, Carvalho, Terry, Cole, Vieira, Gerrard, Scholes, Ronaldo, Kane, Bale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:46:22

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Is Potter already losing the West Ham fans?

4/25/2025
West Ham sit 17th as they prepare to face Brighton this weekend. So how have they ended up in this position, and how much is it down to the approach of manager Graham Potter? Host: Adam Leventhal With: Roshane Thomas, Liam Tharme Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:35:39

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Why does everyone want Dean Huijsen?

4/24/2025
At just 20 years old and with only 22 Premier League starts, Dean Huijsen is attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid. So what makes him so special, and who might trigger his £50m release clause? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by senior data analyst Mark Carey and lead writer for The Athletic FC newsletter Phil Hay to discuss the Spanish international. Football correspondent David Ornstein as well as James Pearce, Liam Twomey and Guillermo Rai also drop by with their insights to the level of interest held in Huijsen across the Premier League and beyond with the Bournemouth defender set to have his pick of a number of clubs this summer. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Mark Carey and Phil Hay Contributions: David Ornstein, James Pearce, Liam Twomey and Guillermo Rai Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:41:48

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Is Xabi Alonso going to Real Madrid?

4/23/2025
After their Champions League exit, Carlo Ancelotti is expected to leave Real Madrid this summer So… when will it happen? And is Xabi Alonso the inevitable replacement? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Guillermo Rai & Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:30:42

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Are Leeds ready for the Premier League?

4/22/2025
On Monday, Leeds United reclaimed their seat at the top table after two years in the Championship So, what lessons can they learn from their Premier League relegation last time out? And how can they stay up for the long haul this time? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Phil Hay, Beren Cross Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou & Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:46:11