The Game Football Podcast

Manchester City looked back to their dominant best in parts of the Club World Cup…but they also showed signs of the same wide open defensive frailties as well. So was the Club World Cup a success? What next for Pep Guardiola’s team this summer?Across the city the red half of Manchester still have much business to do. They need to off load as many as ten players according to some…who will they be, how much money will they generate and who needs to come in?The Times Manchester football reporter Paul Hirst joins Tom and Gregor to run the rule over Manchester City and Manchester United’s summer preparations.Lastly a look at the chaotic situation over the Pennines at Sheffield Wednesday. Heading into the new season they have sixteen fit players, no manager, a transfer ban and nowhere to train… 

Former England international Izzy Christiansen and Kit Shepard the women’s football reporter for the Times and Sunday Times join Tom Clarke to assess England’s poor start to the defence of their European title.Where did it go wrong against France? Was it selection, tactics, substitutions? The team look at where England can improve how they might react to being under pressure this early in the tournament. Lastly they and look ahead to the who they would pick to face the Netherlands in a must win game on Wednesday. 

 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.