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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will England be the best prepared team at next year’s World Cup? Will it matter? As they head into a friendly with Andorra how many true tests of his team will Thomas Tuchel face before the World Cup? And what has happened to England's forward line from the 2022 Euros…only one remains first choice at his club. Domestically teams are making early moves in the transfer market. Could Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo be good signing for Manchester United? Does that mean Bruno Fernandez has to leave? And Manchester City are in the process of a re-build so, where does that leave Jack Grealish? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PSG finally have their European crown, and they look phenomenal in winning it. Did their demolition of Inter Milan set a new standard? Gone are gifted forwards who don’t work for the team, now talents such as Doue, Dembele and Kvaratskhelia putting in performances with breath taking effort from start to finish. What st them apart as a team this year? But… is their triumph tainted by where the money comes from? Does the influence of Qatar also set a new standard? After the break, transfers you’d like to see, serious and not so serious, signings that haven’t worked this season and which might not work next year? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chelsea triumph in Wrocław (which is in Poland) to bring home the first major trophy of the Boehly-Clearlake era. So are things looking up for next season? Meanwhile United's post season, pre season friendly tour of Asia turned to misery as they lost 1-0 to Asean All-Stars to boos from the initially adoring Malaysian fans. Amorim astutely pointed out: ‘We should win these kind of games’. Tom Clarke is joined by Tony Cascarino and Martin Samuel to discuss all that and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The play offs are done and dusted. For Sunderland their manager Regis Le Bris championed his team’s togetherness, it showed as they scored another last gasp winner. For Sheffield united, heart break as their woeful Wembley record continues. In League One Charlton went through the play offs without conceding a goal, that was enough to see off Leyton Orient. Manager Nathan Jones made no apology for his teams approach. A scrappy League Two final saw up and down Walsall face one last heart break losing to AFC Wimbledon. How do they come back from that? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the Champions League places decided it's time to evaluate who is happy with their season? Forest we're tipped for relegation but ended up in Europe. But after missing out on Champions League football will it still feel like a failure? Spurs finished 17th but won a trophy, did they have a better season than rivals Arsenal? And for Aston Villa, did their season come down to one officiating decision? Our end of season awards - manager of the year, team of the year, break through player of the year. Plus, lets look back at our pre season predictions...were we on the money or miles off? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Spurs first trophy in seventeen years vindication for their manager Ange Postecoglou? Despite finishing 17th in the league they’ll be playing Champions League football next season and Ange was true to his word, he won a trophy in his second season. Will he stay? For the losers Manchester United it will be their worst finish in Premier League history, no European football next season and squad in need of a re build. But is Ruben Amorim the man to do it? Plus, end of season awards… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's play off finals weekend. Is it something fans love or hate? For some it is hard to enjoy the stomach churning, nerve shredding matches with so much at stack. For others it is a free hit at glory, a day out at the national stadium and the tantalising hope of what if we actually win… In the Championship both Sunderland and Sheffield United have appalling Wembley records, one will at least be changing that. In League One Leyton Orient are the club on a charge Charlton have the irrepressible Nathan Jones in charge, in League Two Walsall have had a season or two very district halves, while AFC Wimbledon boast the best defence in the division. So, who wins…over to Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crystal Palace have won their first major trophy – the FA Cup! Oliver Glasner’s side beat Man City 1-0 giving Palace European football next season. How did they do it and will they be able to hold on to their best players and their manager? For runners up Manchester city where now? A star striker who didn’t want a penalty, a manager who may or may not stay and their first trophy less season since 2016/17. In the Premier League; qualification for the Champions League will go to the final day with Newcastle, Chelsea, Forest, City and Villa all fighting for three places. Everything is riding on the final of the Europa League with Spurs and Man Utd looking at win or bust seasons. Plus, fond farewells to Jamie Vardy and Goodison Park. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Taiwo Awoniyi recovers from a very serious injury, is it time to review VAR protocols. If it is a clear and obvious offside, why are officials told not to flag? Are the consequences more injuries for players? With Saudi Arabia and Spain starting to attract some of the world’s top footballing talent is the Premier League getting complacent in its ability to retain the world’s best? He FA Cup final could be a feast of attacking football. Will Crystal Palace play with the same attacking intent they did in the semi final, or will their manager Oliver Glasner be more cautious. For Pep Guardiola he thinks a cup in won’t rescue their season, but do the fans agree? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The race for Europe is going down to the wire. After spending all season at the top are Forest on the brink of throwing it away, does a ‘passionate’ owner help or hinder? Newcastle look strong after a pivotal win over rivals Chelsea and with City faltering Aston Villa are still in contention for top five. Villa’s last two games are against Spurs and Man Utd. Any other season that would be tough, this year it looks a guaranteed six points. Why are both teams not in a relegation fight and is it fair that teams in 16th and 17th could end up in the Champions League? At Anfield some fans booed Trent Alexander Arnold. Is it a sign of the times or totally justified? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The dream is over for Arsenal. How does Mikel Arteta turn his team from nearly men to winners? Is he even the man to do it? Arteta described Arsenal as the best team in Europe. None of the panel can understand how he justifies a statement like that. If he oversees the summer changes what is needed? Some even think that his team may have gone backwards this season. The other semi final was an all time classic. Seesawing from Inter to Barca and back again. Thirteen goals over two legs, has there been a better two legged semi-final? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.