Copa Independent

So, be honest: could you keep up to speed with all the ins and outs in the end? Kieran Jackson is joined by Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly this week to unpick the frenetic final few hours of the transfer window, as Premier League clubs spent a record £3.48billion over the course of the summer. Manchester City finally got their man in Enzo Fernandez – but is he really worth it? Will Chelsea and Everton regret failing to get signings over the line at the eleventh hour? And, with more money and players exchanging hands than ever before, is the Premier League transfer window at breaking point? All this and more on the latest episode of Copa Independent!

The transfer window has been more frenzied than ever this summer, with wild £100m sums being exchanged between Premier League clubs. Who distorted the market, and are clubs over-paying for new recruits?Aston Villa and Newcastle have sold several key players this summer – are the Premier League’s new squad cost ratio (SCR) rules to blame? And with only a few days to go until the deadline, which deals will get done before the window closes?Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly join Lawrence Ostlere to discuss all this and more in this week’s edition of Copa Independent, the Independent’s weekly football podcast.

In the first episode of the new series, Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly to preview the new Premier League season asking if the league is entering a post-Guardiola, post-Salah era defined by managerial churn, fewer global superstars, and greater uncertainty. They discuss Manchester City’s transition under Enzo Maresca amid midfield concerns and Rodri’s possible Barcelona move, Liverpool’s unfinished rebuild under Andoni Iraola without a clear Salah replacement, and Manchester United’s issues under Michael Carrick with a thin midfield and a heavier schedule. Arsenal are framed as the main known quantity and title favourites, with debate over Arteta’s intensity, attacking evolution, and recruitment. They assess Chelsea under Xabi Alonso, Tottenham under Roberto De Zerbi, the impact of no European football for some clubs, relegation candidates, and give top-five and relegation predictions.

In the final episode of Copa Independent, Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly reflect on Spain winning a second World Cup and argue the best team won both the final and the tournament, with Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner highlighting Spain’s depth and collective style under Luis De la Fuente. They lament Argentina’s negative, ill-disciplined performance which lacked any shot on goal until the 117th minute, a red card for Enzo Fernandez and post-match flare-ups—calling it a frustrating final, and a sad possible last World Cup game for Lionel Messi. The pair also assess the tournament as good rather than great, discuss England’s missed opportunity under Tuchel and the value of federation-rooted coaches, and condemn chaotic World Cup organisation in the US, including Secret Service delays linked to Donald Trump, celebrity-centric presentation, and a halftime show no-one asked for.

And so to the 104th and final match. It’s the top two in the world rankings, the European and South American champions and the first World Cup match between Spain and Argentina for 60 years. Not bad, right? Kieran Jackson is joined by Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly in New Jersey to preview Sunday’s World Cup final. How will Argentina set up in opposition to Spain’s possession-based philosophy? In what areas are both teams vulnerable? And who will come out on top as Lamine Yamal, heir to the throne, plays in his first World Cup final against Lionel Messi, chasing his second triumph? We make our predictions. Plus, we discuss the pros and cons (mainly cons) to the World Cup bronze final between France and England, with Kylian Mbappe’s potential golden boot stat-padding a central theme.

Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Richard Jolly in New Jersey and Miguel Delaney in Atlanta to react to England’s 2-1 World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina.They argue England retreated too early after going 1-0 up, with Thomas Tuchel’s shift to a back five and the defensive substitution of Ezri Konsa for Anthony Gordon ceding midfield control and inviting pressure. Did Tuchel lose his bottle? And did his changes give Lionel Messi the time and space he needed to kill off England’s World Cup ambitions?The panel debates England’s recurring inability to manage leads, Tuchel’s squad choices and midfield options, whether he has lived up to expectations given his reported salary, and the potential fallout for Tuchel and the FA ahead of Euro 2028.

Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Miguel Delaney and Kieran Jackson to discuss Spain’s stunning win over France. Should Didier Deschamps have started with three in midfield? Why did France’s stars play so poorly? And can anyone stop Spain winning a second World Cup?Plus, Miguel is in Atlanta to watch England take on Argentina in a mouth-watering showdown between two World Cup heavyweights. How will the emotive history between the two countries affect the game? Will Thomas Tuchel make changes to his starting XI? And what do England do about Lionel Messi?

On the latest episode of COPA Independent, Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Miguel Delaney in Atlanta and Kieran Jackson to preview the World Cup semi-finals: England v Argentina and Spain v France, a last four featuring the top four ranked teams and four previous winners.England’s win over Norway is assessed through the Miami heat, Jude Bellingham’s form and Golden Boot push, Harry Kane’s fatigue, Declan Rice’s fitness, Tuchel’s substitutions, and the Tuchel–Bellingham media flashpoint.They also explore the deep history and political context of England–Argentina, Messi facing England for the first time, and the tactical contrast of Spain’s positional play against France’s attacking freedom, plus how rest days and VAR could shape the run-in.

Lawrence Ostler is joined by Miguel Delaney, Richard Jolly and Kieran Jackson to react to France’s 2-0 win over Morocco, with Kylian Mbappé central again to an imperious performance. After looking ahead to Friday's quarter final of Spain vs Belgium, they preview England v Norway in the Miami heat and humidity, debating Tuchel’s selection—especially John Stones and Reece James—how to limit Erling Haaland, and whether England could realistically hope to beat France or Spain in a final should they get that far, before giving score predictions.