The Beautiful Game Podcast

The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 148 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW MICHAEL CAULFIELD- We discussed the career of Michael #Caulfield with the man himself. We discussed his career in sports, working with Gareth Southgate, the work he has done with Brentford, the early days of his career + much more.00:00 Intro1:12 Guest intro1:40 What do you do?2:57 Falling in love with the beautiful game.9:07 Pivoting into Football from a horse racing background15:10 First client in football18:00 Working with Gareth Southgate23:38 What does Gareth need to do to take the next step28:48 How does it feel hearing Southgate criticism?31:08 Current role as Brentford first team psychologist37:59 Do you seek out conversation or do you wait for conversation to come to you?43:35 How do you improve the mindset of a player?50:21 Ivan Toney situation57:39 What needs to change for players to get more comfortable?1:13:30 Ollie Watkins1:17:44 Relationship with Thomas Frank1:24:59 Michael’s relationship with mental health1:25:55 Has this generation gone soft in terms of mental health1:29:02 Gen Z mentality1:32:41 Outro

The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 146 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW TODD #CANTWELL - We discussed the career of Todd Cantwell with the man himself. We discussed playing for Norwich, playing in the Premier league, the end of #Norwich career, relationship with ownership, joining #Rangers and working under Mick Beale + much more0:00 Intro2:02 Guest intro2:20 How is Todd doing?2:58 How did Todd’s journey start?6:27 When did you feel first team was a realistic possibility?8:35 Arsenal interest at a young age10:20 Dealing with injuries in the academy11:38 Making first team debut against Chelsea17:00 Mindset of playing in the premier league18:40 playing number 1019:50 Being the man to replace Maddison at Norwich20:56 Memories of beating Manchester City22:10 Losing 10 in a row/ poor mentality26:40 Interest in Todd after relegation29:20 Dominating championship season/ promotion31:00 More rumours about Todd’s future32:00 Bayern Munich move falling through 33:10 Overwhelming nature of attracting interest as a young player35:25 Strange relationship dynamic with Stuart Webber36:52 Leeds move falling through37:51 Did relationship with Norwich become toxic?41:11 What was happening behind the scenes?47:20 Getting subbed of against Aston Villa49:03 How did you get through the situation mentally?52:36 Did you escalate issues to Delia Smith?53:55 Norwich situation going past the point of return55:55 How did Rangers move come about?58:32 Gigantic size of Rangers football club1:00:00 Working with Michael Beale1:04:19 Dressing room after Michael Beale left Rangers1:06:06 Challenges of gelling as a new team with 9 signings1:09:00 Playing Celtic and PSV in the same week1:12:00 Relationship with Rangers fans1:13:54 Chris Sutton drama1:16:07 Rangers vs Celtic rivalry1:18:21 Is Celtic dominance mental?1:22:38 Rangers dressing room1:24:35 Plenty of football to play1:25:11 Plan to be back after international break1:26:06 Frank Lampard rumours 1:26:42 Life outside of football1:31:53 Investments outside of football1:32:36 Social media abuse1:36:00 Have managers tried to tame you? 1:38:03 Drug testing in football1:41:51 What does Todd want the rest of his career to look like at the end?1:43:39 Guest recommendations1:44:57 Outro.

The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 145 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW DEMETRI MITCHELL - We discussed the career of Demetri #Mitchell with the man himself. We discussed growing up in the #ManchesterUnited Academy, playing for #Exeter. the highlights of career, building his clothing line + much more.0:00 Intro1:00 Guest Intro2:02 Dem opens up on Jamaica4:31 Who are you?5:44 Take us back to the beginning?8:10 Talk to us about growing up in a council estate?9:34 When did you realise you had something for football?11:03 How was the journey through the Manchester United System?14:00 Why did the club give you a new deal?14:51 Talk to us about the Manchester United academy16:27 What is the cliff?17:27 How was your first team debut?19:46 How was it under Jose Mourinho23:08 How was Paul Pogba?25:41 What was the conversation with your dad after making your debut at MUFC?26:24 What is the convo with the club after making your debut?29:36 Is there anything you would have done differently at United and what happened after your United career?38:10 How was it playing for Hearts?40:50 Talk to us about Blackpool?48:43 How is it when you're on the bench and not starting games?50:17 Hibbs chat56:23 How was your relationship with Lee Johnson1:00:00 Talk to us about the mental battle of recovering from injuries1:03:20 How was it joining Exeter?1:10:50 Do GxA stats get you to a higher level1:12:21 Would you say you're feeling fitter than ever and what's next for you?1:14:05 How are the finances in the lower leagues?1:19:30 Life outside of football1:22:30 How is the drug testing in football?1:24:02 Talk to us about Benirclo1:33:20 Manchester United chat1:36:00 Closing remarks and outro

The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 144 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW SÉBASTIEN BASSONG - We discussed the career of #sébastienbassong the man himself. We discussed life in retirement, #harrykane, going through mental challenges during his career, being banished by Norwich #daniellevy , #andreonana, #lukamodric + much more.0:00 Into2:06 Guest intro3:06 Who is Sébastien Bassong?9:40 When did Seb realise his career was coming to an end?12:30 Being banished by Norwich20:21 Altercations in the dressing room22:46 Tag team fight with Andy Carroll 26:41 Mental challenges after being banished by Norwich29:20 Seeking therapy32:00 Being Frozen out at Tottenham35:30 Liverpool being his lucky charm40:47 What happened in Seb’s first therapy session44:00 Childhood Trauma48:25 Going AWOL to leave Newcastle53:40 Sébastien’s experience of being involved in a transfer saga56:26 Does Harry Kane need to leave Tottenham?58:09 Is Harry Kane the best striker in the world?1:00:49 Is Daniel Levy good for Tottenham?1:06:12 Luka Modric brilliance1:09:46 What does Seb do now?1:18:23 What does Cameroon mean to you?1:20:43 Andre Onana1:24:44 One thing Seb would like to change in football1:31:00 Guest recommendations 1:32:00 Outro

The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 143 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW KEITH ASARE - We discussed the career of Keith #Asare with the man himself. We discussed, Keith's #football career, recovering from multiple #injuries, Playing with Brennan Johnson, struggling to get over short lived football career, his career in business + much more.0:00 Intro3:04 Guest intro3:34 Who is Keith Asare4:46 How Keith got into football8:09 When did you realise you have talent9:45 Southend FA youth cup game11:30 Feeling the love at Southend12:38 Premier League clubs showing interest at 1313:20 Why did Keith choose Nottingham Forest15:49 Family reaction to signing for Nottingham Forest16:30 Youth team at Nottingham Forest18:04 First big injury20:39 Road to recovery22:24 Interest from Dortmund23:25 Signing first pro contract25:33 What was holding Keith back from progressing 27:29 Effects of injury30:10 Becoming a monster32:50 Progress on injury/ Rehab37:30 Coming back from Injury then getting injured again39:43 Speaking to club psychiatrist40:50 Zoom chat with the Doctor43:15 Moving back into Mums house46:00 Moving to Spain to 4 months48:15 Going to Club Brugge50:52 Going through Depression53:13 How having to retire has changed Keith54:53 Are you happy58:13 Keith’s Concierge business1:04:48 Life outside of business1:15:34 Guest recommendation

The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 142 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW OLA AINA - We discussed the career of Ola #Aina with the man himself. We discussed, growing up on ends, playing for #Chelsea, his time with #Torino, coming back to England + much more.0:00 Intro03:09 Guest intro04:34 Growing up in Bermondsey 07:10 Where did football journey begin09:37 Becoming a Chelsea fan10:27 Getting scouted12:01 Choosing between Chelsea and Tottenham academy14:15 Tottenham messing his family around16:00 Signing for Chelsea18:00 Chelsea golden youth team24:39 Wanting to leave before Conte came to the club26:50 Being in around the first team28:37 Eden Hazard31:27 Jose Mourinho man management34:50 Antonio Conte man management37:45 Conte’s 3 at the back system38:45 Going on loan to Hull41:40 Sarri not having Ola43:11 Going to Torino47:25 Playing in Italy48:42 Fans coming to training ground52:03 Playing against Cristiano Ronaldo53:40 Finding out Torino has a buy clause56:25 2022/23 season at Torino58:13 Loan spell at Fulham1:00:25 Racism in Italy1:02:38 Current situation with Ola1:03:29 West Ham bidding during the season1:08:53 Would Ola consider Saudi1:09:48 Are Chelsea academy prospects underrated1:13:10 Tammy and Tomori lack of England opportunities1:16:10 Ola’s international journey1:19:24 Why isn’t it clicking for Nigeria?1:25:22 Victor Osimhen1:27:00 African success in World Cup1:28:10 Life outside of football01:36:55 Guest recommendation01:38:50 Outro

The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 141 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW NATHAN BUTLER-OYEDEJI - We discussed the career of Nathan #Butler-Oyedeji with the man himself. We discussed; his journey to signing his first pro contract at #Arsenal, recovering from several injuries, going on loan, plans for the future, #Saliba rise to the top + muchmore Timestamps0:00 Intro1:18 Guest intro3:33 Who are you?4:50 When do you realise that you have something?6:11 Why was your dad against playing for a Sunday league team?6:44 How did you join Arsenal?7:55 How long did it take to get signed by Arsenal?9:26 Talk to us about going through the ranks?10:38 What's your advice to youngsters that are going through a rough patch?11:58 What happens at age 12-13?13:33 How long were you injured for14:00 What did you learn about yourself when you were injured?14:50 What happens after injury?16:46 When did you move into digs?18:06 Take us through the process of signing a scholar?19:04 What role does Per play in the academy?20:04 What are you friends on the ends saying after signing your scholar?22:07 What is your situation at 17-1823:04 How did you feel when you signed your pro contract at Arsenal25:19 What did you do when you signed that first pro contract?26:22 What is the plan after signing your pro?27:50 NBO on Saliba being too good for U2128:19 Talk to us about last season?28:54 Talk to us about going on loan to Accrington Stanley and your experience34:00 What is the convo with Arsenal after your loan?34:40 Talk to us about going to Dubai with the first team and what players took you under their wing37:16 Talk to us about Myles Lewis Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri38:19 What's the plan for next season?41:00 Have you spoken to Arsenal about going out on loan and how is pre season going?41:47 How you feeling physically after several injuries?42:14 How has you dialogue with Arteta been?43:00 How do you assess Arsenal's transfer window so far45:00 Life outside of football49:26 Guest recommendation50:15 Closing remarks50:38 Outro

The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 140 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW NIGEL JAMES - We discussed the career of Nigel #James with the man himself. We discussed; his short playing career, being the father to Reece and Lauren James, The decisions his made throughout their careers, Reece being linked to Real #Madrid, the current situation at #Chelsea + much more.00:00 Intro00:50 Guest Intro3:00 Who is Nigel James?3:41 When did you get that bug for football?15:36 How long was your transition from playing to coaching19:00 Nigel on Reece James early career and the struggles faced in the journey29:09 Was there a time where you considered leaving Chelsea?31:00 Reece transitioning to Right Back37:51 Reece James going on loan to Wigan44:35 Derby trying to loan Reece James in Jan48:03 Were any other PL clubs interested in Reece after his loan spell at Wigan50:01 What made you guys decide to stay at Chelsea?54:00 How did you deal with the adversity during Reece's career59:10 How do you balance football and education?1:04:35 Talk to us about Lauren James journey?1:11:30 Nigel on Lauren leaving Arsenal, playing for Manchester United and then joining Chelsea1:15:20 How does it feel having 2 of your children playing as England internationals?1:16:04 How do you manage the spotlight?1:21:13 Talk to us about Agents1:29:31 Was Reece James every close to joining Real Madrid1:31:22 How do you access Chelsea performance last season1:32:50 Have you spoken to the new manager?1:34:42 Talk to us about Mason Mount?1:36:17 Talk to us about CHO and why it has not worked out?1:38:44 What is your advice to parents that have kids who want to be footballers?1:42:56 How is Reece's fitness?1:46:23 Talk to us about Trent Alexander-Arnold1:50:04 Nigel on his coaching academy1:55:19 Closing remarks.