The Athletic FC Podcast

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur both fell flat on the opening weekend of the Premier League season losing to Hull City and Brentford respectively.Emma Paton is joined by Jay Harris and Cerys Jones to assess the shortcomings for both sides, with The Athletic's Manchester United correspondent Laurie Whitwell sharing his views having been at the MKM Stadium.Mamadou Sangare stole the show on-debut for Brentford, upstaging Spurs' new £185m midfield with both Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes featuring after their summer moves.Plus, The Athletic's Aston Villa correspondent Jacob Tanswell also joins us to discuss Aston Villa's 4-0 loss at Brighton as well as addressing the uncertainty surrounding Ollie Watkins ahead of the close of the summer transfer window.Host: Emma PatonWith: Jay Harris and Cerys JonesFeaturing: Laurie Whitwell and Jacob TanswellExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducer: Jay BealeVideographer: Liam Warburton

Welcome to a brand new offering on The Athletic FC Podcast: our Tactical Preview show.Kate Mason, Rob Green and Liam Tharme are here to run you through the biggest matches from an analytical lens.This week, we talk tactical trends we expect to take hold this season, while our primary focus is on the big battle at St James’ Park as Newcastle host Liverpool.The panel also touch on champions Arsenal vs Coventry, Man City vs Bournemouth and Fulham vs Chelsea.Host: Kate MasonWith: Rob Green and Liam TharmeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike StavrouVideographer: Lara Sinclair

FSG have sold nearly 40 per cent of Liverpool to a consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, as exclusively revealed by The Athletic earlier this week.Kate Mason is joined by senior news reporter Matt Slater, former England goalkeeper Rob Green and Jack Pitt-Brooke to discuss the significance of the investment as well as Liverpool’s preparations ahead of the new season.The Athletic’s Liverpool correspondent James Pearce shares his insight on the Reds’ pre-season preparations as they begin a new era under Andoni Iraola, while Nick Miller drops-by from Trabzon to discuss what comes next for Mohamed Salah ahead of his home debut for Trabzonspor having moved on from Anfield.Host: Kate MasonWith: Rob Green, Jack Pitt-Brooke and Matt SlaterFeaturing: James Pearce and Nick MillerExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Jay Beale and Guy ClarkeVideographer: Liam Warburton

With just two days until the new Premier League season starts, Manchester United have made their move for Carlos Baleba.Emma Paton is joined by Jay Harris, Cerys Jones and Laurie Whitwell to discuss why after long term interest in the Brighton midfielder, the club are once again exploring a deal to sign him.Plus, with the promoted sides having spent £330m between them already this summer, The Athletic's football finance correspondent Chris Weatherspoon drops by to answer how they're affording it and whether spending big is the key to staying up.Host: Emma PatonWith: Jay Harris & Cerys JonesFeaturing: Laurie Whitwell & Chris WeatherspoonExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Jay Beale and Guy ClarkeVideographer: Liam Warburton

With nine of the 20 Premier League managers being new into their roles ahead of the new season, today we're exploring how they may fare.Emma Paton is alongside James Horncastle and Tim Spiers to analyse who may succeed and who may struggle.The Athletic's Newcastle United correspondent George Caulkin also drops by to discuss the introduction to life at St James' Park that Matthias Jaissle has experienced in taking over from Eddie Howe.Host: Emma PatonWith: James Horncastle and Tim SpiersFeaturing: George CaulkinExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou and Guy ClarkeVideographer: Grayson Moody

With just four days to go until the new Premier League season starts, Arsenal have made a statement with their 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield, with news also emerging that City midfielder Rodri is on the verge of leaving for Barcelona.Emma Paton is back in the chair, alongside former England goalkeeper Rob Green and The Athletic's Cerys Jones to discuss the strength of Arsenal's case for defending their Premier League title as James McNicholas shares his thoughts from Cardiff.Man City correspondent Sam Lee also joins to discuss the impact Rodri leaving could have for Enzo Maresca's side as well as their plans to replace him.Plus there's our latest feature Rob Ranks, transfer chat with Guglielmo Vicario heading for Juventus and Aston Villa looking to sign Zion Suzuki from Parma as well as the panel sharing their quickfire predictions ahead of the new season.Host: Emma PatonWith: Rob Green and Cerys JonesFeaturing: Sam Lee and James McNicholasExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Jay Beale and Guy ClarkeVideographer: Liam Warburton

With the Premier League just around the corner, it’s time for our predictions for the 2026/2027 season.Adam Leventhal is joined in the studio by The Athletic’s Art de Roche and Jay Harris to get into the runners and riders for the title, relegation and more.Will Arsenal defend their crown, who will challenge them? And can the promoted sides stay up?With so many new managers coming into the league, the panel discuss who is most likely to hit the ground running.And they plot exactly where all 20 clubs will finish from 1-20.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Art de Roche & Jay HarrisExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Guy Clarke, Jay Beale & Grayson Moody

After 13 years away, Jose Mourinho is heading back to Real Madrid but after two trophyless seasons can he return them to winning ways?Adam Leventhal is joined by Tim Spiers and Thom Harris to analyse why Madrid have turned back to Mourinho as well as the make-up of the squad he has inherited.The Athletic's Guillermo Rai also joins to explain the view from Madrid on his return as well as their work in the transfer window with Yan Diomande arriving, though Rodri has made his preference for Barcelona over Real Madrid clear.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Tim Spiers, Thom Harris and Guillermo RaiExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Jay Beale and Guy ClarkeVideographer: Liam Warburton

As the new Premier League season approaches, we've been taking a look at which sides have impressed with their summer transfer business, and those left with work to do.Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Jay Harris as well as our ranking expert Tim Spiers to look through the eye-catching summer business to date.The market continues to be dominated by midfielders with Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandez heading to Spurs, while Arsenal confirmed the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes.Our Man City writer Sam Lee touches on their interest in Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez with question marks over the future of Rodri, while the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool still look to become more proactive in the market.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Tim Spiers and Jay HarrisFeaturing: Sam LeeExecutive Prodcuer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou and Guy ClarkeVideographer: Liam Warburton