The Athletic FC Podcast

It's been a year filled with news, moves and eyebrow raising events in the world of football and we're here to look back at them with our own Christmas countdown. What happened this year, and how have those decisions played out? Here to reminisce and recoil at the year it's editor-in-chief Laura Williamson and senior writer Adam Crafton. Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Laura Williamson and Adam Crafton Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

After beating Manchester United midweek in classically chaotic fashion, Tottenham host league leaders Liverpool.  With just one clean sheet in their last 23 Premier League home games, the panel analyse why Spurs are making things so difficult for themselves.  Meanwhile Liverpool have shown a more adaptable side to their game this week, could Ange Postecoglou take a leaf out of Arne Slot’s book?  Plus, we look at the fixtures elsewhere and talk sacking season after Gary O’Neil and Russell Martin were relieved of their duties this week.  Host: Michael Bailey With: Tim Spiers, Mark Carey Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has tested positive for a banned substance.  He has been provisionally suspended.  Both club and player have issued statements to make categorically clear that Mudryk has never “knowingly used” any banned substances. So where does this leave Chelsea and the £62m man? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Chelsea correspondent Simon Johnson and senior writer Adam Crafton to discuss the scenario facing the Ukrainian winger. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Simon Johnson and Adam Crafton Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

It’s now one win and eight losses in 11 games for Man City after the weekend’s derby defeat to Manchester United. So… what will it take to fix their current situation? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Sam Lee and Rory Smith Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

On Sunday, Atletico Madrid made it 11 wins on the bounce with Alexander Sorloth scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Getafe. Having drawn level at the top of La Liga - next up they head to table-toppers Barcelona. So can Diego Simeone’s new-look Atleti sustain their challenge? Ayo Akinwolere is joined from Madrid by The Athletic's La Liga correspondent Dermot Corrigan as well as Colin Millar to analyse Atleti's red-hot form, their summer investment in the transfer market and whether their title challenge is sustainable ahead of the trip to face Barca. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Dermot Corrigan and Colin Millar Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]