Was this the summer the Premier League ate itself?

This week on the Tactical Preview we're looking ahead to the first Manchester derby of the season, as Manchester United welcome Man City to Old Trafford.Kate Mason is joined by Rob Green and The Athletic's Thom Harris to analyse City's midfield having been reconstructed during the summer transfer window with the arrival of Elliot Anderson, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez.The Athletic's Man City correspondent Sam Lee also drops by to explain how the new unit is coming together, while the panel assess whether playing on the counter may suit Michael Carrick's sideThere's also a look ahead to Fulham's trip to Anfield, having seen plenty of midfield chaos from Alvaro Arbeloa's side, while Aston Villa will be hoping to score their first Premier League goal of the season against Nottingham Forest and Hull head to Chelsea, yet to so far concede.Meanwhile in the breakdown, the panel look at the under the radar data signings made this summer that may be worth keeping an eye on!Host: Kate MasonWith: Rob Green and Thom HarrisFeaturing: Sam LeeExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducer: Xavi BirdVideographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Champions League returns, a number of big match-ups have played out including Real Madrid taking on Inter Milan and Liverpool facing Atletico Madrid, but where is the jeopardy?Kate Mason is joined by Adam Crafton, Matt Slater and Rob Green to analyse the growth and investment within the Champions League and discuss whether the change to the league phase format has led to a closed-shop for the clubs capable of winning the tournament.Plus, ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby, former Man City CEO Garry Cook joins the podcast to discuss the role the two clubs have played in raising the global profile of the city.From a sporting, economical and political sense he reflects on his involvement with the Abu Dhabi investment into Man City back in 2008 and the ambitions of the project as well as the opportunity to be part of the growth of the city.Host: Kate MasonWith: Adam Crafton, Matt Slater and Rob GreenFeaturing: Garry CookExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducer: Jay BealeVideographer: Lara Sinclair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Inter in their opening Champions League fixture was far from convincing.Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic's Liam Twomey and Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero to get into Jose Mourinho’s return to the Spanish capital, the panel discuss whether he’s the man to bring silverware back to the Bernabeu amid familiar problems to last season.Plus, with the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or revealed, could Harry Kane become just the fourth Englishman to win the award?Host: Emma PatonCo-hosts: Liam Twomey, Tomas Hill Lopez-MencheroFeaturing: Guillermo RaiExec Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Jay BealeVideographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After seeing a late move for Folarin Balogun collapsed Everton have been left with 18 senior first team players, something manager David Moyes seems less than pleased by.Emma Paton is with David Ornstein and James Horncastle to analyse Everton's transfer dealings, discuss why things played out in the manner they did - including looking likely to strike a deal to sell Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest.The Friedkin Group are also exploring investment opportunities in the club, so the panel assess the relationship the owners have with the club having only taken control in December 2024.Plus there's the latest Ask Ornstein and The Athletic's Barcelona correspondent Pol Ballus also joins us to talk about Marcus Rashford's reintegration at Manchester United, following his loan spell at the Camp Nou last season.Host: Emma PatonWith: David Ornstein and James HorncastleFeaturing: Pol BallusExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducer: Jay BealeVideographer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal made it three wins from three at the start of the new Premier League season, coming from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates.Emma Paton is joined by former England goalkeeper Rob Green and The Athletic's Matt Slater to look back on the weekend's action.Art de Roche shares his thoughts on Arsenal's attacking rotations on show against Chelsea, with Liam Twomey assessing how far off becoming title challengers Xabi Alonso's side are.Moving away from the Emirates, the panel assess who else could challenge for the title this season, with Man City being the only other side to take maximum points so far.Plus, Rob analyses the most noteworthy goalkeeping performances of the weekend and with the transfer window now closed, there's a look at which players could still be available on free transfers!Host: Emma PatonWith: Rob Green and Matt SlaterFeaturing: Art de Roche and Liam TwomeyExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducer: Jay BealeVideographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For episode two of What If... we're talking Chelsea's former owner Roman Abramovich - and the parallel universe where he buys Spurs, or even Arsenal, instead of the Blues.Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic's Tim Spiers and Spurs writer Jack Pitt-Brooke and Chelsea writer Liam Twomey to delve into the influence of Abramovich and how he changed the game forever.Our alternative timeline ponders what would happen to Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Mourinho and the Premier League's ownership and investment landscape had Abramovich not taken over.Host: Emma PatonGuests: Tim Spiers, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Liam TwomeyExecutive Producer: Adam JonesProducers: Mike Stavrou, Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to the Tactical Preview, this week, our focus is on Arsenal vs Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.Kate Mason is joined by former England goalkeeper Rob Green and The Athletic’s Tactics writer Liam Tharme to analyse Xabi Alonso’s low-possession style from their first two games and how their potent attack could go about breaking down a stubborn Arsenal side.The panel also discuss squad building, with multiple clubs going through big changes in personnel over the summer window.They also look at Everton vs Manchester United, Nottingham Forest vs Spurs and Newcastle vs Bournemouth - and focus on how the three B’s: Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton, constantly reinvent themselves.Host: Kate MasonGuests: Rob Green, Liam TharmeExecutive Producer: Adam JonesProducers: Mike Stavrou, Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This summer the Premier League smashed the record for spending within the division, with £1.7bn worth of transfers between Premier League clubs alone. Kate Mason is joined by Adam Crafton, Matt Slater and Rob Green to get into what this means for football here in the UK and why player prices are so high.Plus, Tim Bridge, lead partner of Deloitte's Sports Business Group, drops in to talk about the impact on the wider game and growing wealth gaps across Europe.Host: Kate MasonWith: Adam Crafton, Matt Slater, Rob GreenFeaturing: Tim BridgeExecutive Producer: Adam JonesProducer: Jay BealeVideographer: Lara Sinclair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The transfer window is now closed after another summer of truly bonkers spending. Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic's David Ornstein & James Horncastle to get into the deals that stood out and the deals that fell through, including Folarin Balogun's failed move to Everton that had repercussions for Chelsea.Plus, the panel reveal their favourite signing of the summer, the transfer that made them double take and which set of fans shout be most concerned now the window has shut.Host: Emma PatonWith: David Ornstein and James HorncastleExecutive Producer: Adam JonesProducer: Jay BealeVideographer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our Deadline Day coverage with The Athletic's transfer specialist, David Ornstein, hosted by Emma Paton. They are joined by football analyst JJ Bull and other The Athletic reporters to figure out what transfers could still happen and analyse the latest news.Host: Emma PatonCo-hosts: David Ornstein, JJ Bull, Seb Stafford-BloorExec Producer: Adam JonesProducers: Don Ma, Mike Stavrou  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.