The Athletic FC Podcast

Yes you’ve read that correctly, today we’re forgoing What If, and asking What is…On today’s episode Emma Paton is joined in the studio by The Athletic’s Tim Spiers and Colin Millar to dissect what people actually mean when they say club ‘DNA’, and if it even exists in the first place.Plus, have you ever imagined a John Terry led Chelsea? Worry not, we discuss where each top-six club might go if they had to nominate a club legend to grace the touchline.Host: Emma PatonPanelists: Tim Spiers, Colin MillarExecutive Producers: Adam Jones, Max Curwen BingleyProducer: Mike StavrouVideographer: Grayson Moody

It’s a big one this weekend as Arsenal travel to Merseyside to take on Liverpool. This comes following an all time classic upset after they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by fourth tier side Fleetwood Town.Kate Mason is joined in the studio by Rob Green and tactics writer Liam Tharme to preview all the action at Anfield - a game so good they cleared the whole day for it - as well as break down the trending tactics of the season so far.Plus, we ask ourselves the question, can you actually fix Manchester United?Host: Kate MasonPanelists: Rob Green, Liam TharmeExecutive Producers: Adam Jones, Max Curwen BingleyProducer: Mike Stavrou, Jay BealeVideographer: Liam Warburton

Since taking full control of Manchester United in 2005, the Glazers have pocketed over 1.3 billion pounds, all while racking up over 700 million in debt at the club. So with Manchester United in crisis again, why are the Glazers nowhere to be seen? Kate Mason is joined by former England international Rob Green and the The Athletic's Matt Slater and Adam Crafton to analyse the ownership structure at United. Plus, the panel are joined by Tim Williams, Group Financial Controller at Manchester United from 2009 to 2014, to discuss where the blame lies for the club's decline. Host: Kate MasonCo-hosts: Matt Slater, Adam Crafton, Rob GreenFeaturing: Tim WilliamsVideographer: Lara SinclairProducer: Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead

After Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth it looked as though time was up for Michael Carrick.But with news he’ll stay in charge for Saturday’s game against Chelsea, is this really a show of faith or just a stay of execution?Emma Paton is joined by Cerys Jones and Thom Harris to get into who would be the best candidate to replace Carrick, should United move him on.The panel are joined by Jacob Whitehead, who makes a case for Eddie Howe and Jacob Tanswell, to talk whether Unai Emery could be prised away from Aston Villa.Plus, we hear from Seb Stafford Bloor on Julian Nagelsmann and Liam Twomey on Antonio Conte.Host: Emma PatonPanelists: Cerys Jones, Thom Harris, Jacob Whitehead, Jacob TanswellFeaturing: Seb Stafford-Bloor & Liam TwomeyVideographer: Grayson MoodyProducer: Jay BealeExec producer: Max Curwen Bingley

Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or on Monday night, pipping Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to the award.But with just two players in the top 20 in the rankings, how can the Premier League claim to be the best league in the world when so many of the sport's superstars play elsewhere?Emma Paton is joined by JJ Bull, Seb Stafford-Bloor and James Horncastle, who was at the ceremony and takes us behind the scenes of the glitz and glamour (and rain) in London.Host: Emma PatonPanelists: James Horncastle, JJ Bull and Seb Stafford-BloorProducers: Mike Stavrou, Grayson MoodyExec Producer: Adam Jones

Michael Carrick's future is hanging by a thread at Man United after his side were embarrassed by Bournemouth at a mutinous Old Trafford on Sunday.But with the club’s hierarchy in the spotlight, will sacking Carrick solve United’s problems?Plus, how Spurs ended their Stamford Bridge curse and a south London themed edition of who's worrying Rob...It's Emma Paton alongside England international Rob Green, Manchester United correspondent Cerys Jones and Chelsea correspondent Liam TwomeyHost: Emma PatonPanelists: Cerys Jones, Liam Twomey, Rob GreenVideographer: Lara SinclairProducer: Jay BealeExec producer: Adam Jones

With the Ballon d'Or fast approaching, this week’s episode of ‘What If’, Emma is joined in the studio by The Athletic’s Tim Spiers, Dan Kilpatrick and Jack Pitt-Brooke to pick apart the unfathomable… What if Messi and Ronaldo didn’t exist?Who scores their goals? Who’s career skyrockets? And topically, who wins their Ballons d’Or?Plus, we discuss who we think will be just the 5th player outside of the two main men to win the Ballon d’Or since 2008.Host: Emma PatonPanelists: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Dan Kilpatrick, Tim SpiersExecutive Producers: Adam Jones, Max Curwen BingleyProducer: Mike StavrouVideographer: Grayson Moody

It’s a jam packed show this week as Kate Mason is joined in the studio by tacticos Liam Tharme and Rob Green to discuss all the weekend’s goings on, including a fierce London derby as Chelsea host rivals Spurs.Plus, we’re joined by former Brighton defender Adam Webster to get an inside look at all things football on the south coast. What’s it like to play for Roberto de Zerbi? How do you stop Erling Haaland? And, the question on everyone’s lips - how are Brighton that good?Host: Kate MasonPanelists: Rob Green, Liam Tharme, Adam WebsterExecutive producers: Adam Jones, Max Curwen BingleyProducer: Mike StavrouVideographer: Liam Warburton

Manchester United’s ownership is in the firing line again, with players accusing leadership of negligence and just two wins so far all season.So with United in their latest doom cycle and growing unrest across their other clubs and investments, is Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS sports empire crumbling?Kate Mason is joined by Matt Slater, Adam Crafton and former England international Rob Green to examine the impact of United's constant failings on the INEOS landscape.Host: Kate MasonCo-hosts: Matt Slater, Adam Crafton, Rob GreenVideographer: Lara SinclairProducer: Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adam Jones