The Game Football Podcast

 Chief Correspondent for The Times and Sunday Times Martin Samuel joins Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson to pay tribute to Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota following his tragic death in a car accident. After a pause Martin reflects on the Club World Cup and its potential to become an enduring tournament and a look at how the English teams have approached it. 

England enter the tournament as defending Champions, but their preparation has not been smooth. With three senior players either retiring or making themselves unavailable, how will that affect Sarina Wiegman’s squad? Tom Clarke is joined by former England international Izzy Christiansen and women’s football reporter for the Times and Sunday Times Kit Shepard.They discuss England’s key players, the ‘group of death’ and the who are the other favourites for the tournament.England kick of on Saturday with a huge game against France. We'll be back with Izzy and Kit to review the match.

England are European U21 Champions again.Lee Carley's side defended their title with an impressive 3-2 extra time win over Germany So, what next for a talented squad and their manger? Player of the tournament Harvey Elliot has to decide if his future lies with Liverpool while many of the team now ply their trade in top European leagues Should Carsley want to move in to league management there are plenty of moves in the football league - Gregor Robertson assess nine managerial changes in the championship alone. 

The Times’ Northern Sports Correspondent Martin Hardy analyses the chances of Alexander Isak remaining at St James’ Park and the potential destinations should Newcastle’s star striker leave. He also discusses preparations ahead of massive seasons for newly promoted clubs Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley. Plus, Hamzah Khalique-Loonat on Lee Carsley’s England Under 21s, who are into a second successive European Championship final.

After the capture of Matheus Cunha, what next for Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United? Charlotte Duncker discusses summer transfers and new season ambitions at Old Trafford and chats about potential comings and goings at Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Wolves.

The Club World Cup is up and running, with some serious prize money on offer. Judging by the line ups of Chelsea and Manchester City in their first games, they’re talking it seriously. Pete Rutzler is in Philadelphia following Chelsea; he has been assessing local interest in the tournament and also gives an update on the blues new signings and other potential transfer business. After the break, what’s in a football shirt? We’ve all got our favourites but do they also offer a secret guide to global and local history. From Russian gas giants Gazprom to Young's fish in Grimsby; football shirts offer a snapshot of the economy at point in time. The team look at the big picture but also indulge in some nostalgia as they go through their favourites… 

It has already been a busy summer of transfer activity. Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool have all brought big signings in to their teams.In this episode we hear the latest from Manchester City’s camp as they welcome new signing Rayan Cherki to their Club World Cup campaign and from our Liverpool reporter Paul Joyce as they prepare to break the British record transfer fee for Florian Wirtz. Plus, a low down on how the Club World Cup is being received in the states and if/when it is likely to get more competitive.

First, they were embarrassed, then they were humiliated. It wasn’t the start Thomas Tuchel had in mind for his England team.How big are the problems he faces – a full rebuild or just cosmetic? To make matters worse Tuchel gave an interview in which he referred to his star player Jude Bellingham. He suggested his behaviour could be perceived as repulsive by some. Were the comments a distraction from a loss to Senegal, or a hint at deeper issues?The club World Cup starts next week – does football ever end? What effect will the work load have on the two English sides in attendance Chelsea and Man City? Both have signed players in time for the tournament so they must be taking it seriously…The women’s Euros is just around the corner…is Sarina Wiegman’s camp any happier than the men’s as they prepare to defend their title?

Seventeen days after ending Spurs’ seventeen year wait for a trophy Ange Postecoglou was out, sacked by Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy. Was it the right decision? Was leading Spurs to their lowest finish in over forty years a sackable offence? Or are the club constantly asking their managers to overachieve, given their wage bill in comparison to other top six teams?Thomas Frank looks to be in line to replace Postecoglou, what will he bring?After the break a look at a lack lustre England. Will a demanding Thomas Tuchel be able to achieve his plans with so little time with the players? And where does this England team’s greatest weakness lie?