Rodri and Elliot Anderson: best midfielders at the 2026 World Cup? | What is the point of the Third Place Playoff?

Alex James and Simon Bajkowski try not to get too depressed about England's semi-final defeat to Argentina in this week's episode. They discuss why they believe Manchester City has the best midfielders in the 2026 World Cup, and their grumbles about the Third Place Playoff between England and France. Later on, they chat about ticket prices for the next season, and why it encourage more fans to watch games at the Etihad. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/talkingcity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex James and Simon Bajkowski discuss the chatter around Elliot Anderson's move to Manchester City for a British-record transfer fee of £116 million. Is the England midfielder worth the fee? And what other transfers are in the pipeline for Enzo Maresca's side? EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/talkingcity Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex James and Simon Bajkowski discuss the breaking news that we have known for a long time, as Enzo Maresca’s arrival as Manchester City head coach becomes official EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/talkingcity Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! 🎧 | Listen to the Talking City Podcast on Spotify: https://bit.ly/MCFCPod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex James and Jack Flintham discuss Manchester City’s 2026/27 fixtures after they were released on Friday morning, including an early Manchester derby and the problem with TV picks. We also take a closer look at the latest surrounding Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Enzo Maresca EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/talkingcity Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex James and Jack Flintham discuss the latest surrounding Elliot Anderson and Enzo Maresca’s arrivals at Manchester City, as well as looking ahead to the World Cup with a strong contingent of Blues set to be in action. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/talkingcity Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! 🎧 | Listen to the Talking City Podcast on Spotify: https://bit.ly/MCFCPod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a special episode of the Talking City podcast, Alex James and Simon Bajkowski react to the news that Pep Guardiola will be leaving Manchester City this summer after 10 years at the Etihad. Alex and Si discuss his impact on the club, and who could replace Guardiola at City. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/talkingcity Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex James and Simon Bajkowski review Manchester City's FA Cup win against Chelsea. With Pep Guardiola's securing the domestic double, can they make it a treble as the Premier League season reaches its conclusion? EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/talkingcity Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/talkingcity Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! 🎧 | Listen to the Talking City Podcast on Spotify: https://bit.ly/MCFCPod _ Welcome to the Talking City Podcast by the Manchester Evening News, covering everything Manchester City featuring Chief Manchester City writer Simon Bajkowski, Senior football writer Tyrone Marshall and Manchester City writer Alex James. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is VAR officially taking the joy out of football? Welcome back to the Talkin' City podcast! This week, Alex James and Chief City Writer Simon Bajkowski sit down to digest a chaotic and decisive weekend in the Premier League title race. We kick things off by breaking down City’s 3-0 win over Brentford, highlighting Jeremy Doku’s incredible run of form. Then, things get heated as we dive into the Arsenal vs. West Ham game and the massive VAR controversy that has everyone talking. Have referees completely lost control of set pieces? We vent our frustrations on the inconsistencies ruining the matchday experience for fans. Finally, we look ahead to a must-win clash against Crystal Palace and a relentless end-of-season schedule that includes the FA Youth Cup and the FA Cup Final. 00:00 - Intro & Title Race Reality Check 02:05 - Jeremy Doku's Masterclass vs. Brentford 04:54 - How Doku is Reprogramming His Game for Goals 06:20 - Substitutes Shine: Foden's Impact & Marmouch's Brilliant Strike 08:47 - The Great VAR Rant: Arsenal vs. West Ham Fallout 11:40 - Are Referee Inconsistencies Ruining the Game? 14:20 - Do the Rules for Corner Kicks Need to Change? 19:58 - How VAR is Killing the Matchday Experience for Fans 24:12 - Crystal Palace Preview & Pep's Team Selection Dilemma 27:00 - City's Crazy End-of-Season Schedule Drop your thoughts in the comments. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/talkingcity Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex James is joined by Simon Bajkowski to discuss the fight for the title race this weekend. Manchester City host Brentford at the Etihad on Saturday, but fans will also be paying attention to Arsenal's clash against West Ham the following day. Alex and Simon also discuss Rodri's future at the club, and why it should be "a simple decision" to keep the Spaniard. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/talkingcity Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices