Episodes
Dan Bardell is joined by George Elek, bet365's Steve Freeth and Tim Spiers ahead of Sunday's Carabao Cup Final at Wembley with both Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes returning for Manchester United and Newcastle United respectively.
The title race is hotting up too with Arsenal heading to Leicester and Man City off to Bournemouth.
Can Graham Potter hold on at Chelsea - and who will hold onto their Premier League status as four of those in trouble go head-to-head on Saturday.
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Published 02/24/23
Mark Chapman is joined by former Manchester United keeper Peter Schmeichel, former Liverpool & England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland & England & Southampton Goalkeeper coach Dave Watson who played also in the Premier League with Barnsley.
Does the risk of ball playing keepers outweigh the reward? How do keepers recover when things go wrong with millions watching?
They discuss the huge challenge ahead for Loris Karius Newcastle United in Sunday’s League cup final against Manchester...
Published 02/23/23
Mark Chapman is joined by Dermot Corrigan and James Pearce to look back on a classic night of Champions League action as Liverpool were dealt a sucker punch by Real Madrid at Anfield.
From gift-wrapped goals, to Gomez, to Galacticos there is a gulf between these two sides now, and it looks like it's only going to get bigger.
Listen to hear about how Madrid have got their recruitment so right in recent years. The panel also cover, as they must when Liverpool are mentioned, the Bellingham...
Published 02/22/23
With two takeover bids on the table, will the Glazer family's 18-year reign at Manchester United finally come to an end? Host Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Matt Slater and Laurie Whitwell to discuss the bids, the people behind them and all the issues in-between...
What is the true scale of the damage inflicted on the club by the Glazers and are they even serious about selling this time? Do Manchester United actually need a sovereign wealth fund to compete with Chelsea &...
Published 02/21/23
Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's David Ornstein to discuss the problems at Chelsea for manager Graham Potter.
Another poor result after that huge spending spree in the January window. A second game in a week without a goal & a proven Premier League goalscorer can’t even make the bench.
So, almost a year since Roman Abramovich announced his intentions to sell the club, what’s going wrong at Chelsea & where is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang?
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Published 02/20/23
Sir Bobby Robson would have turned 90 today, so it's fitting that St James' Park will be rocking later when Newcastle host Liverpool.
To mark the occasion The Athletic, with the kind permission of his family, have released Bobby '90 - a special podcast series featuring previous unheard interview tapes with one of football's greatest characters in the months and years before he died.
This is the second episode from the four-part series which features Sir Bobby in conversation with The...
Published 02/18/23
Dan Bardell is joined by George Elek, bet365's Steve Freeth and Tim Spiers as they react to Man City's win over Arsenal in midweek, ahead of this weekend's action.
Can Arsenal put things right at Villa Park? Who will win the relegation six-pointer between Everton and Leeds Utd? Plus, can Liverpool spark a run of form and back-up their Merseyside derby win as they travel to Newcastle?
Produced by Guy Clarke
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Published 02/17/23
Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Andy Mitten, Carl Anka, Pol Ballús to discuss Manchester United's interest in Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong .
How close did United get last season? Could they go for him again? Is he still a player they actually need? Would he be allowed to leave?
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Published 02/16/23
Mark Chapman is joined by Art de Roché and Sam Lee to talk about the Premier League's two most exhausting managers to watch on the touchline and to get you ready for the big match between the sides.
Is it time to stop talking about Arteta as Pep's apprentice? Why do we not see more assistants become managers? And how do you expect the teams to line up tactically on Wednesday night at the Emirates? Those questions and more on the show today.
Produced by Abi Paterson
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Published 02/15/23
It's been 100 days since Liverpool Football Club was put up for sale. Manchester United expect a takeover bid from Qatar, Tottenham want ENIC out and Newcastle are Top 4 contenders again - So, what makes a good Premier League club owner? Host Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Matt Slater, Oli Kay and George Caulkin to explore...
Are FSG the epitome of sensible ownership, should a State be able to buy a PL club in the first place and is an owners legacy actually more important than how...
Published 02/14/23
Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Matt Slater & Adam Crafton to discuss The return of The Super League with promises of a new-look structure based on “sporting performance”, with no permanent members.
Is it too good to be true or could this be a positive reset for the game?
Coming up you’ll hear exactly what is being proposed, how football has responded & what happens next.
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Published 02/13/23
Dan Bardell is joined by George Elek, bet365's Steve Freeth and The Athletic's Tim Spiers to look ahead to the weekend's Premier League action, including Monday night's Merseyside derby.
Chelsea's trip to West Ham United is also on the menu along with Leeds United v Manchester United four days on from their 2-2 draw at Old Trafford as well as Manchester City looking to respond to defeat at Tottenham as Aston Villa travel to the Etihad.
Produced by Guy Clarke
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Published 02/10/23
Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Dermot Corrigan & Mario Cortegana to discuss the rise of Real Madrid's Brazilian superstar Vinicius Jr and the recent spate of racist incidents he has had to endure.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti believes Spanish football has a racism problem — is he right ? and if so what are La Liga and Real Madrid doing about it?
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Published 02/09/23
Join Mark Chapman, Matt Slater and Phil Hay as they explore Leeds United's decision to sack Jesse Marsch - as well as the ongoing power struggle at Elland Road.
The panel explore the ownership structure at Leeds with 49ers Enterprises holding a significant minority share in the club, with an option to complete a full buy-out in January 2024, who is making the big calls: them or Andrea Radrizzani?
The consortium's role in the January transfer window is also analysed as well as assessing who...
Published 02/08/23
So the Premier League has waged a war with its serial Champions, Manchester City - but what is rule W51, could City suffer a points deduction this season or even be stripped of past titles? Host Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Sam Lee and Matt Slater to explain...
What have Man City allegedly done wrong, how long is this all going to take, why there is an Arsenal fan on the independent panel and the significance of a postponed government White Paper on football's ability to govern...
Published 02/07/23
Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's James Pearce & Raphael Honigstein to discuss the problems facing Liverpool in biggest crisis of Jurgen Klopp’s time as manager.
What’s gone wrong & what can be done to turn things around? And if things don't improve how might it effect their chances of recruiting elite players such as Jude Bellingham?
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Published 02/06/23
Dan Bardell is joined by George Elek, bet365's Steve Freeth and The Athletic's Rich Amofa as the Premier League returns following the closure of the transfer window.
As well as looking ahead to an Antonio-Conte-less-Tottenham hosting Man City, the panel cast their eyes over an equally tasty Friday night fixture between the two West London clubs of big spending Chelsea and Fulham.
Arsenal are the Saturday lunchtime entertainment but they face an intriguing proposition in Sean Dyche's Everton...
Published 02/03/23
Mark Chapman is joined by David Ornstein & Adam Crafton to discuss Arsenals signing of Jorginho from Chelsea.
Meanwhile Manchester United were also forced to react and make another loan signing - in Marcel Sabitzer - following injury to Cristian Eriksen
Are these shrewd moves to help both clubs win trophies this season? Will this lead to bigger from both clubs signings in the summer?
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Published 02/02/23
David Ornstein and Liam Twomey join Mark Chapman to analyse Chelsea's British Transfer Record deal to sign World Cup winning Enzo Fernandez.
The panel discuss how Chelsea managed to pull off the deal to sign the Argentine, the level of finance involved as well as taking a deeper look at the Blues' approach in the transfer market.
Also, having spent over £600m since Todd Boehly's takeover what pressure is there on Graham Potter to deliver immediate results?
Produced by Guy Clarke
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Published 02/01/23
A PFA Team of the Year regular and an ever-present figure in back-to-back title-winning seasons for Manchester City - So how has Joao Cancelo ended up on loan at Bayern Munich, just hours before the January transfer window closes? Host Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Sam Lee and Pol Ballus to explain...
A burning desire to start every game and a history of flare-ups with coaching staff, our panel reveal a sense of inevitability about Cancelo's Man City exit. Plus, why Pep Guardiola's...
Published 01/31/23
Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's David Ornstein to detail what could happen in the final hours of the January transfer window.
They discuss Arsenal's move for Moises Caicedo, Chelsea's bid to sign Enzo Fernandez, and Spurs failed bid for Pedro Porro plus plenty more.
The Athletic's Andy Naylor reveals the names Brighton are lining up even if and when Caicedo leaves.
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Published 01/30/23
Dan Bardell is joined by George Elek as well as The Athletic's Tim Spiers and Rich Amofa as the FA Cup Fourth Round sees the first clash of the Premier League's top two this season.
As well as looking ahead to Man City v Arsenal the panel also pick out Accrington Stanley v Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur's visit to Preston North End.
Liverpool's return to Brighton two weeks on from losing 3-0 down on the south coast is also analysed ahead of picking out which ties to keep an eye on in the...
Published 01/27/23
Mark Chapman & The Athletic's Matt Slater & Dan Sheldon look at how the huge spending in this January transfer window by Premier League clubs compared to the rest of European Football.
Is Financial Fair Play - world football’s attempt at financial self-regulation - creating an unfair playing field that sees Leeds United spend more on one player than all clubs in La Liga & Serie A combined.
How are FFP rules affecting the recruitment policy at clubs across Europe & what are...
Published 01/26/23
It's been three league games since Mohamed Salah had a shot on target, never mind a goal, and questions are popping up around the Egyptian's form. But what is it down to? Is it the loss of team mate Sadio Mane? Is his new contract weighing heavy on him? Or is he a symptom of a wider issue at Liverpool?
Alongside Mark Chapman to answer those questions and dive into the data around Liverpool's star striker are James Pearce and Duncan Alexander
Produced by Abi Paterson
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Published 01/25/23
What more could Frank Lampard have done at Everton? Host Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Everton writer Patrick Boyland and Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey to see if after failing at two Premier League clubs, a worrying pattern is emerging for Lampard the manager...
The panel explore various similarities and differences between how things unravelled for Frank at both Everton and Chelsea, as well as, whether Everton need a 'firefighter' or a 'project' manager next and why it...
Published 01/24/23