Welcome to the first episode of a new series on The Athletic FC Podcast: What If…

Every week, host Emma Paton will be joined by a selection of The Athletic’s writers to dive into monumental sliding doors moments in football’s recent history.

From Roman Abramovich’s interest in Spurs before buying Chelsea, to how the career of Brazil's Ronaldo might look if he had avoided serious injury.

On episode one, Tim Spiers and Jon Mackenzie are on the panel to discuss Pep Guardiola’s alternative timeline had he not become a manager, or never joined Barcelona.

What would happen to Lionel Messi, Man City, Erling Haaland and the Premier League in general?

Tune in to find out.

Host: Emma Paton

Guests: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie

Executive Producer: Guy Clarke

Producers: Mike Stavrou, Grayson Moody

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

The Tactical Preview is back and Aston Villa's clash against Arsenal is our primary focus this week.

Host Kate Mason is joined by The Athletic's data writer Thom Harris and former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke to dissect where the game will be won and lost. They focus on Villa's frailties in beating the press, Arsenal's short corners and switches of play. The Athletic's Villa correspondent Jacob Tanswell also drops by to give the lowdown on Villa's midfield struggles in the defeat to Brighton.

The panel also focus on Chelsea vs Brighton, Man United vs Ipswich Town & Coventry City vs Hull City, as well as picking out the clubs who have had a quietly good transfer window.

Host: Kate Mason

Guests: Adrian Clarke, Thom Harris

Executive Producer: Guy Clarke

Producers: Mike Stavrou, Liam Warburton

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

Aston Villa have seen their Europa League-winning squad torn apart during the summer transfer window, despite qualifying for this season's Champions League.

Adam Crafton and Matt Slater join Kate Mason to get stuck into one of the biggest talking points in the game right now around the competitive balance within the Premier League, brought on by the spending controls set by the league.

Hannah Vanbiber also joins us in-studio to ask how the Premier League's spending restrictions differ from those commonly seen in US Sports as well as the level of interest of US owners within the Premier League.

Plus, with Premier League spending mainly focused within the division this summer, we explore the consequences on the wider European game.

Host: Kate Mason

With: Adam Crafton and Matt Slater

Featuring: Hannah Vanbiber

Executive Producer: Guy Clarke

Producer: Jay Beale

Videographer: Liam Warburton

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