The Beautiful Game Podcast

The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 150 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW SUPER AGENT SKY ANDREW - We sat down with super agent Sky Andrew for an exclusive interview to discuss the biggest stories of the #transfer window, the growing influence of #football #agents, how agents really get paid, and what goes on behind the scenes of football's biggest deals.0:00 Intro0:30 Guest intro2:00 How Sky went into being an agent/ working with Sol Campbell3:38 Alexander Isak transfer saga8:05 Sol Campbell vitriol and hatred/ racism16:22 Isak situation/ agent mindset23:46 How should agents advise players25:30 How do agents get paid29:03 Agents structuring a contract31:12 Structuring contracts for young players/too much too soon36:16 Bruno Guimaraes transfer story38:53 Loyalty bonuses/ signing on fees39:52 Deals Sky is working on41:55 Biggest misconception about being an agent42:56 Biggest success stories48:10 Cole Palmer/ Morgan Rogers situation50:52 PSR influencing transfers53:14 Broken market58:12 Generative AI in football59:29 Losing £400,000 in commission for a deal1:02:29 Player perceptions when brokering a deal1:05:53 Managing relationships whilst brokering deals1:06:53 Agents representing themselves1:10:29 Clubs making players run down contracts1:14:49 Understanding psyche of a player1:15:52 Journalists influence on football transfers1:20:49 Sky's phone being hacked1:23:11 Deals to keep an eye on1:24:30 Marcus Rashford1:25:40 FIFA Legacy agent title1:28:52 Recommend a guest.1:30:15 Outro

The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 149 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW NIGEL JAMES - We sat down with Nigel James to discuss his incredible career in football. We also spoke about #BlueCo's ownership of #Chelsea, Reece #James and Lauren James, Xabi #Alonso as Chelsea's new manager, the club's Premier League title chances, and much more.00:00 Intro1:10: Competition giveaway1:50: Guest introduction3:19: Overview of Nigel James Elite Coaching School success8:47: Why is it called a coaching school instead of an academy16:18: Criteria for kids joining his coaching school17:32: Dealing with disgruntled parents20:48: Dealing with abuse from opposition24:06: The one thing he would have changed in Reece and Lauren’s development28:45: Regret of not having his eldest son playing football31:37: Assessing Lauren’s 25/26 season33:04: Deep dive into Lauren’s personality34:27: Can Lauren turn into a leader within the dressing room37:20: Interest in Lauren before she signed a new deal40:37: How hard is it to let go of control as a parent47:10: Lauren’s relationship with coaches48:11: Alexia Putellas signing for London City Lionesses49:14: Lauren potentially winning the Ballon d’Or51:01: Assessing Reece’s 25/26 season57:49: Xabi Alonso appointment59:23: Thoughts on BlueCo1:02:08: John Stones being mentioned to him1:04:40: Chelsea’s targets1:06:06: Liam Rosenior1:06:52: Thoughts on the World Cup1:11:24: Rio Ngumoha and Max Dowman1:13:14: Thoughts on England vs Mexico1:14:13: Thoughts on Jude Bellingham1:15:50: Will Reece be fit for Norway?1:16:39: Donald Trump involvement1:19:09: Final thoughts and outro

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