This week, we bring you our first, long-awaited listener mailbag! You’ve been sending in some excellent questions and ideas since we came back for the new season — and now is the time for us to discuss them! So, the topics on today’s agenda include: Angeball 2.0, the new No.10 role and tactical revolutions at smaller clubs. Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike

Jimbo, Charlie Eccleshare, Tom Williams and Liam Tharme cast their eye over a smorgasbord of football issues.After the confirmation that Rodri has damaged knee ligaments, Man City travel to Newcastle on Saturday. How will Pep cope without arguably his most important player for the majority of the season? Arsenal’s youngsters shine in the Carabao Cup. Leicester are the next visitors to the Emirates as we ask ‘how do you stop the Gunners from corners?’ Everton’s takeover drama appears to finally

Not a bad whole new starting XI...Matt Davies-Adams has got Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey with him for your second weekly dose of Chelsea chat. The Blues cruised into the fourth round of the League Cup following their 5-0 victory over League Two Barrow... we look back on the game and hear from Pedro Neto in conversation with our very own Simon Johnson, who scored his first goal for the club. Then it's all eyes on Saturday's game against unbeaten Brighton at Stamford Bridge. We weigh up the chances of

The Tifo team turn their attention to Manchester United, who - after a horrid defeat to Tottenham over the weekend - look as bad as ever. Bayern Munich held firm in a big game with Leverkusen; Munich remain top of the table and look impressive under coach Vincent Kompany. And ghost ships: are they still ghost ships once you get on board? All of this and more on this week's episode of the Tifo Football podcast.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ian Irving, fresh from the stands at Old Trafford, holds court with Carl, Laurie Whitwell, and Mr Mitten as we cast judgement over another disappointing performance in Europe.FC Twente, despite a rich history (one which features Erik Ten Hag in three spells), have the lowest UEFA coefficient of any of United's opponent's in this season's Europa League. That didn't stop them fighting back to earn a point, though, as Sam Lammers levelled following a series of mistakes and weak challenges. Christian

An agreement has been reached for The Friedkin Group to complete a takeover of Everton.But when will it actually be completed? And how is it being paid for? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Matt Slater, Paddy Boyland and James Horncastle Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re focusing on West Ham. There was so much excitement over their summer transfer business, but Julen Lopetegui has won just one of his first five league games in charge.So… have the Hammers got worse under their new manager or is the job just impossible? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Benji Lanyado, Jon Mackenzie Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 goals in 12 London derbies already?Matt Davies-Adams has got two of The Athletic's finest - Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey - alongside him to look back on the impressive 3-0 win over West Ham at London Stadium on Saturday. We heap praise on Nicholas Jackson and Moisés Caicedo for their stellar performances - hear from Tosin in the mixed zone with Simon - and reflect on the presence of Todd Boehly AND Behdad Eghbali in the posh seats... Plus, there were a big three points to kick off their WSL

Podcast royalty Jimbo and James Horncastle, welcome Julien Laurens, Seb Stafford-Bloor and Pol Ballus for a chat about the European football weekend.Milan finally win a derby and it might have saved Paulo Fonseca’s job. But how angry are the Roma ultras about the sacking of Daniele De Rossi? Dortmund are stuffed by Stuttgart, Leverkusen win late again and Bayern score a hatful again with Michael Olise making a magnificent start in Bavaria. Barcelona make it 6 wins out of 6 in La Liga under Hansi

Tony Evans, James Pearce and Simon Hughes are here with your weekly fix from Anfield to discuss the biggest Liverpool talking points.This week, fresh from stopping to speak with James in the mixed zone following Saturday's 3-0 home win over Bournemouth the panel get stuck into Trent Alexander-Arnold's comments on his ongoing contract uncertainty. There's also a debate on the Anfield atmosphere, the latest from the mailbag as well as discussion over the two South American forwards Luis Diaz and

Danny Kelly is joined by Jay Harris and James Maw to discuss the fantastic performance against Brentford at home, Vicario's erratic goalkeeping and Maddison's scintillating form.They also preview Spurs' opening Europa League fixture on Thursday...Qarabag FK at home. HOST: Danny Kelly WITH: Jay Harris, James Maw PRODUCER: Tom Fuller Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Sunday, champions Manchester City and challengers Arsenal played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Etihad in which both sides had to come from behind. Despite trailing to Erling Haaland's early goal, Mikel Arteta's side were only denied a win in the depths of added time with John Stones equalising for Pep Guardiola's side. So have Arsenal moved closer to dethroning Man City, despite not beating them? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Man City writer Sam Lee and Arsenal writer James

The performance of Erik Ten Hag's side at Crystal Palace was, according to Laurie Whitwell, the most complete of his tenure. Yet, in order to be actually complete, the team need to put the ball in the net. Who's going to stick their hand up?Marcus Rashford might have been high on your list of names there, but he was named on the bench at Selhurst Park. Rotated, not dropped, and Alejandro Garnacho deserved his chance to start. Erik Ten Hag's boyhood team, FC Twente, will be the visitors in

Jimbo, Duncan Alexander, Daniel Storey and Adrian Clarke discuss a pulsating and intriguing Premier League weekend. Man City score a 98th minute equaliser after 10-man Arsenal come agonisingly close to becoming the first away team to win at the Etihad in almost 2 years. Did Man City fluff their lines in the second half? And what about the war on delaying restarts? Brighton and Forest remain unbeaten as we ask are Chelsea going to be good this season? Is Lopetegui too similar to Moyes to be a

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where each week we’ll be going deep on the biggest game of the weekend. This week — we’re focusing on 1st vs 2nd as Manchester City host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. Plus, we look at the fixtures elsewhere with drop ins from the club podcasts across our network. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Mitten secured an exclusive interview with Gary Neville this week, one which was reported widely (and sometimes inaccurately) by the press. We get his take first hand as the Old Trafford task force prepares to gather opinion from fans and local residents. The WSL returns this week, and The Athletic's Charlotte Harpur has just arrived in Manchester where she'll have a news brief including coverage of United's women's team. It's been an eventful summer, one that has seen significant changes to

This week, we’re focusing on the world of football data and whether it’s had the profound impact on the game — on and off the pitch — that everyone thinks it has.So, has data actually changed football? Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5756088/2024/09/11/how-has-data-changed-football/ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5697684/2024/09/03/football-analytics-uk-evolution/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

Danny Kelly is joined by Jay Harris and James Maw to discuss the beautiful irony of Johnson's potentially job saving winner hitting the back net in front of Mark Robins, whose FA Cup goal saved Sir Alex Ferguson's Man Utd career all those years ago. They also dissect the performance that preceded those eventful final five minutes. They're also joined by The Athletic's new women's football writer, Megan Feringa, to discuss Spurs' women's chances heading into the new WSL season. HOST: Danny

Today we’re focusing on Aston Villa - looking at their season so far and what was a hectic summer transfer window.. So how is Unai Emery’s side managing the demands of both Champions League and Premier League football? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Thom Harris who was there to witness Villa’s return to action in the Champions League this week & also broadcaster Dan Bardell who is very much a Villa fan too. Producer: Nick Thomson Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Learn more about your

Matt Davies Adams is back with Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson alongside him to assess a relatively relaxing week by recent Chelsea standards.  We talk changes up top for the game against West Ham, who would get your nod between Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku? And a listener asks who’s the right choice for right back with both Malo Gusto and Reece James out injured? Plus, who'll triumph in the latest quiz?! We'll be back next Thursday to reflect on the trip to the London stadium - and