Loading summary
Transcript81 lines
- [00:00]
Progressive Insurance Announcer
You're listening to this podcast, so I know you've got a curious mind. Here's a helpful fact you might not know. Drivers who switch and save with Progressive save over $900 on average. Pop over to progressive.com, answer some questions and you'll get a quick quote with discounts that are easy to come by. In fact, 99% of their auto customers earn at least one discount. Visit progressive.com and see if you can enjoy a little cash back. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates national average 12 month savings by $946 by new customers surveyed who saved with progr between June 2024 and May 2025. Potential savings will vary.
- [00:36]
Workday AI Advertiser
Could AI help you do more of what you love? Workday is the AI platform for HR and finance that actually knows your business. We help you handle the have to dos so you can focus on the can't wait to dos. It's a new work day.
- [00:51]
Kerris Rudd
Okay, I have to tell you, I
- [00:53]
Workday AI Advertiser
was just looking on ebay where I
- [00:54]
Andy Jones
go for all kinds of things I love.
- [00:56]
Matt Davis Adams
And there it was, that hologram trading card. One of the rarest.
- [01:00]
Andy Jones
The last one I needed for my set. Shiny like the designer handbag dreams.
- [01:04]
Kerris Rudd
One of a kind. Ebay had it.
- [01:06]
Andy Jones
And now everyone's asking, ooh, where'd you get your windshield wipers? Ebay has all the parts that fit my car. No more annoying, just beautiful.
- [01:17]
Kerris Rudd
Millions of finds, each with a story. EBay Things people love.
- [01:25]
Matt Davis Adams
The Athletic FC welcome to the preview from the Athletic fc. It's the show where we get you set for the weekend's football. This week we're looking ahead to the FA cup quarter finals, starting with the modern Premier League classic. It's Manchester City versus Liverpool. And on board for this one, we've got Andy Jones. How you doing, Andy?
- [01:50]
Andy Jones
Very good, thank you.
- [01:51]
Matt Davis Adams
Good to be back on it sure is. It's been a while. And your sister? No, just somebody with the same name. Garis Jones, is here too. Hello. You all right, Garis?
- [01:59]
Kerris Rudd
Yeah, no relation. Just to be clear.
- [02:03]
Matt Davis Adams
Okay, Nice to clear it up because I did just suddenly think, has this passed me by? But no. Right, later on we're going to get into the FA cup action elsewhere. But first, let's get to our feature presentation. So this has been the blockbuster Premier League fixture during Pep's time at City. Could well be the last time he faces Liverpool. Rumours of a potential departure at the end of the season swirling. Andy, the editors at the Athletic have tasked you with ranking the best Liverpool against City games of the Guardiola era. Which ones came out on top?
- [02:34]
Andy Jones
Yeah, not just the best, all of them. So there was a lot of games there because it's been a long time since this rivalry is going on. But no, it was quite fun just to go back through because there's been as you say there's been a lot of terrific games. My top one was City to Liverpool1 January 2019 which is the 98, 97 point season. It was one of the very, very few games where Liverpool lost and I wasn't that annoyed because it was just a class game of footy. Yes it did have really you know, connotations on harder league ending up but it was, it was terrific. And then my favorite one which came in second was the four three which was the. The day when they were sort of announced themselves as we can actually challenge City in seasons after that is what they did. But that to witness and experience that that nine minutes onslaught basically was. Was just incredible. One of the best times I've sort of had in anfield outcomes. What about it? And yeah there was, there was loads, there was a. There was a few I didn't quite enjoy watching from a Liverpool perspective some of the beatings that City have given them over the years but just some incredible games. Both the two twos and the 2021, 22 season were fantastic as well. So yeah enjoyed watching a fair few highlights back. I'm not quite sure I'm going to enjoy the weekend as much from. From a Liverpool perspective though.
- [04:00]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah neither of them at their absolute peak of their powers so far this season. I wonder if part of that Caris is because this rivalry was almost about the managers as it was the teams, wasn't it? When it was Klopp versus Guardiola that was kind of half of the intrigue of these games maybe.
- [04:14]
Kerris Rudd
Yeah, I think so. And I think you can say it reminds me quite a lot of the rivalry between Manchester City and Arsenal because both of those for me are title rivalries rather than rivalries which I think is quite important like semantic distinction. I think if you asked Liverpool their two biggest rivals they would say Manchester United and Everton. I think City would still put United as rivals ahead of Liverpool. These aren't rivalries in the sense of if you were playing in the back garden there's still potential for a 10 man brawl. They're rivalries in the sense of they're competing for a major honour. I think for me they're different from a derby in that sense and it doesn't carry the same kind of emotion. But yeah, it's more about kind of power dynamics in the league, I think. And like you say with Klopp and Guardiola facing off, that was kind of like the main point of intrigue for me. It doesn't feel like with Slot. There's not like quite the same needle there. You know, they're not competing against each other for any other major honours this season. Kind of takes a little bit of. Of the intrigue out of it, but it will be a really interesting game. I think both sides have. Have a lot to play for in it. It's a season where neither of them can kind of put the FA cup further down their priority list as they maybe have in the past.
- [05:34]
Matt Davis Adams
So in terms of a Premier League rivalry then, Andy, based on what Kerris is saying, is this more kind of like a Man United arsenal from the 90s noughties than it would be Liverpool against Everton?
- [05:46]
Andy Jones
I guess so. But without the. The needle. It's been generally quite respectful between the players and things like that. You know, there wasn't not really many tunnel. Tunnel cam videos that people refer back to repeatedly. Sort of with the Keanes and Vieiras and things like that. It's. It's a lot more of a football rivalry. I mean, for a period these, you would argue Liverpool and Man City were the two best teams in the world. Certainly updated in the top five. It was quite interesting going back because they haven't actually met in cup competitions that often. Champions League it feels like they played more against each other because it felt like a bit of a rivalry in the Champions League as well. But that 1718 was the only time they met there. And similar to the Carabao cup and the FA cup, they've only met each other once in that as well. So it's, it's very much been based around the league and they've shared the last eight Premier League titles. That's. And City obviously have been dominant in terms of winning them with six and Liverpool have only won two. But there's been bits and bits and pieces between supporters obviously over the years, but it has been about the quality of the games rather than getting in people's faces, mad tackles, all that type of stuff. And I think that's, that's why it's a. It's a different one than other rivalries in the Premier league.
- [06:55]
Matt Davis Adams
Well, in FA cup money, Liverpool chasing a fifth straight win over City, they've beaten the Citizens in 2022, 2003, 2001 and way back in 1988. Difficult is it Andy to prioritize this given that PSG comes on Wednesday or I mean could you say that Liverpool are more likely to win the FA cup would win in that fend off some of the critics of Ana slot Or is it all about just qualifying for the Champions League again?
- [07:21]
Andy Jones
Yeah, it's a really difficult question because it has to be a priority because of the way Liverpool season's gone that they've just got to try and make the best of what the situation is and that's to try and win the two cups that they're in. Both will be very, very difficult. They've not been helped by the drawers I don't think. But yeah, you're right. The Champions League qualification is. Is the bare minimum. That is, that's something that you have to do especially given you know, the spend in the summer. I think if you were ranking them it would still, it would still come third. I don't know whether a domestic cup victory if Liverpool were to finish sixth would you know, save Arnold slots job. That's, that's a question for the hierarchy and something they'll be considering. The Champions League is going to be harder to win as you say. So it is difficult. But also you've got to think of the fixtures and the way the sort of schedule shaped up given Liverpool's, you know, small squad. And there's not a ton of options in terms of rotation. It does, it does present on a slot with a bit of a conundrum of how he goes about this one because you know it's not a game you can, you can throw away because of all the things going on. If Liverpool were going for the title and in the Champions League I think people would be less bothered. But I think the problem is, is that Liverpool have frequently found themselves on the end of a really bad result too often this season. And if they start this, what is effectively a mini season for them now, if they start that with a bad result at the Etihad, it could set a really bad tone for the next week where they've got the Champions League games and two league games where you would think they should win. But you know, Fulham and Everton are going to be very, very difficult games, particularly the Derby, you know, Everton's new stadium. So there's a lot to ponder for slots and I think momentum is the key really. And it feels like they need to try and go to the Etihad and win or at least play really, really well because you can, you can go to the Etihad, play really well, and lose. And that's fine sometimes that you just have to accept that. But it's. The performance is almost as important as the result in this one. I think if they go there and play like they did earlier in the season when they were swatted aside and were just really, really poor, it was unacceptable, really, that performance, then there's going to be really real big, you know, question marks about slots on the team.
- [09:32]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah. And even if you win the FA cup and you're a Dutch manager, it doesn't necessarily save you, does it? Just ask Louis Vanhal. What about City then? Caris looking to build on their Carabao cup win to make it through to a record extending 8th successive FA cup semi final under the Pepster would make it just the 23 trips to Wembley as City boss. To him, they're out of the Champions League. They've got a free midweek. He's got to go full strength here as, I mean, predicting Pep is folly more often than not. But there's no reason for him not to bring out the big guns in this one.
- [10:03]
Kerris Rudd
I agree. I think, you know, they've got, they've got a big run of fixtures coming up in terms of the run in. They've got Chelsea who are in bad form but still chasing a Champions League place. Arsenal obviously in the title race, but they've just had the international break. Quite a few of the squad should be a bit more refreshed and also I think they're used to being across all competitions at this stage. It's not a, it's not a new thing to them and I think that they have the squad to be able to cope with, you know, with a free midweek, they should be able to go out full strength in this. I can't see a reason not to. And it's also with the rumours about Pep's future, I think it's a really important game for them. It's potentially one of his last chances to secure a trip to Wembley. That's not insignificant at all and I don't think that they will want to bow out of that.
- [10:55]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah. When he celebrated with such gusto the Carabao Cup Final and it was very reminiscent of Klopp, wasn't it, in his final season when he won that trophy? So we've mentioned a little bit about personnel there. We'll delve deeper into it next and look at where each team might hurt each other.
- [11:13]
Athletic FC Podcast Producer
This episode of the Athletic FC podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Financial stress affects far more than just our bank account. It can take a serious toll on mental health and relationships, with 88% of Americans feeling some form of financial stress at the start of 2026. Money worries often bring shame, anxiety, sleep disruption and even depression, and are one of the leading sources of conflict for couples. But struggling with money doesn't mean you've failed. Sometimes it's just about accessing the right kind of support. Therapy can help people unpack their relationship with money, build healthier coping strategies and and feel less alone in the process. BetterHelp is one of the world's largest online therapy providers, serving over 6 million people globally. Just fill in a short questionnaire and they'll pair you with a therapist based on your preferences, needs and goals. If you aren't happy with your match, you can switch to a different therapist at any time, safe in the knowledge that BetterHelp therapists work according to a strict code of conduct and are licensed in the US when life feels overwhelming, therapy can help. Sign up right now and get 10% off@betterhelp.com fcpoch podcast that's better h e l p.com fcpodcast.
- [12:24]
Workday AI Advertiser
Could AI help you do more of what you love? Workday is the AI platform for HR and finance that actually knows your business. We help you handle the have to dos so you can focus on the can't wait to dos. It's a new workday.
- [12:39]
Kerris Rudd
Boost Mobile is now sending experts nationwide to deliver and set up customers new phones. Wait, we're going on tour? We're delivering and setting up customers phones. It's not a tour, not with that attitude. Introducing store to door switch and get a new device with expert setup and delivery. Delivery available for select devices purchased@boostmobile.com.
- [13:00]
Athletic FC Podcast Producer
This is the Athletic FC podcast proudly sponsored by Betfair.
- [13:06]
Matt Davis Adams
So we mentioned it could be Pep's last time facing Liverpool as City boss. It will definitely be the last time Mohamed Salah turns out in this fixture if he's selected after announcing he'll be leaving Liverpool in the summer, Andy didn't feature against Brighton before the break. Do we know about his his injury status or is that even a thing anymore? Is it just about whether he can get a place in the team?
- [13:27]
Andy Jones
Well fortunately the news is positive on a slot that they an in house interview early this week where he said that Salah was very close to being back and he will speak in his media duties before the game to probably confirm. But it looks it looks very likely that Salah will be involved which is a big boost because his absence of Brighton was was felt because as soon as Hugo Ekatike went off with it with a dead leg in that game, Liverpool looked completely unthreatening. If there was very, very little goal threats from those on the pitch. And Liverpool tried a system against G altasheride 4222 effectively which it brought Salah inside a little bit. You know, it looked like the old. The old version of Muhammad Salah not the one we've. We've had to watch this season. You know, there was potential. Is that a bit of a blueprint for the rest of the season? So it'll be important for him to be back. They've got another attacker on his way back as well. But it's fair to say it's not quite clear exactly how quickly he can be. He can be used in Alexander Isaac who's back from a broken leg which he suffered in December. But in terms of. In terms of Salah, given he's now announced he's leaving, he will want to end on as big a high as possible. You would like to think Liverpool will be able to use this well and channel it in a positive way. You know we talked last season when. When the contract situation was up in the air about this might be my last game at Old Trafford and you know those types of stadiums and then he put on a really good performance in all of them. Now it will be his last time in the Etihad and you know, we still got to go to Old Trafford, Everton's new ground. It feels. It feels set up for him to have a sort of grandstand finish to the season.
- [15:01]
Matt Davis Adams
They announced it early. Caris. They managed to keep it under wraps as well. Again, maybe shades of Jurgen Klopp there. Do you think that there's a danger that this could become a distraction or is it maybe a bit more of a positive thing in that Slot might not feel as obliged to include him as often as he would have done had he been staying.
- [15:18]
Kerris Rudd
I don't think it's a distraction. It would be more of a distraction to have kind of like speculation rather than a. A definitive answer as to whether they. As to sort of whether Slot's under pressure to include him. I don't know. I think that could go either way and it will be very dependent on results. You know, if things aren't going as they. As they should for Liverpool and Salah's not playing the role, a kind of heavy role that he would want, then I think there will be questions from the fans like emotion will start to come into it about why are we not giving this guy the opportunity to, to play the part that he could. As to whether it can kind of be channelled to galvanise them again like that's where it's different having this sort of early announcement for a player than a manager. Your manager is going to be barring a suspension like on the touchline every game. There's not questions over whether they're selected in their last few games for the club, whereas there is for Salah. But in terms of whether they can channel it, I mean Klopp was meant to kind of galvanize them the knowledge that he was leaving at the end of the season. I would argue it didn't. It did initially for the, for the League cup and maybe that can kind of carry over that initial bounce into this game against City. But then they went out of the FA cup to Manchester United. They didn't win the title, they went out of the Europa League. You know, maybe it can do them a nice initial bounce. But I do also think in terms of like that grandstand finish that Andy mentioned can go either way. He's got to go to the Etihad, he's got to go to Old Trafford, he's got to go to Everton. If that's his last time at all those grounds, he really wants to leave a mark. All those teams he is playing against will very much want to leave him with a negative last memory of those trips. So that can really go either way.
- [16:58]
Andy Jones
Yeah, I hope he's timed it better than Klopp did because as you say, Klopp sort of had that two month, that initial two months in January, didn't he? Where he had that two month bounce really which ended with the League cup final. So Salah's obviously announced a little bit later. So hopefully his two month bounce which should take us to the end of May will be better timed before, before the train goes off the sacks if we like. But the ultimate problem is that I think Salah will continue to continue to get picked largely because there's not really anyone else that plays in his position. And the management of Isaac as well, I think it's going to take time for him to get up to speed as we saw earlier in the campaign. I think the problem for him is that his performance level this season as with a number of Liverpool players hasn't been anywhere near where it's needed to be. And it's can he, can he refine that sort of extra, extra yards, you know, extra 5% which, which he's always had during his Liverpool career that he's been missing this year.
- [17:54]
Matt Davis Adams
Well somebody is at the beginning of their Liverpool career but has also struggled at times this season is Florian Viet. He got two goals and an assist against Switzerland earlier this week. He's been in good form for the the German national team. Andy, you've written previously about Liverpool being out for an out thought they need ver back his national team form in order to help counter those problems.
- [18:14]
Andy Jones
Yeah, I mean one of the worst parts of the international break, international breaks this season has been watching Viets go away to Germany and play incredibly and then you're like why can't you just do that for Liverpool? Wirtz is a massive player and certainly would help that. But I think there's a number of players who are contributing to Liverpool. You know being out fought and out thought that's the problem. It's a collective. There's very few you can sort of look at and sort of say they've had a good season. Vietnamese has had bits and pieces. I think the frustrating thing for him is he, I felt he was in a really, really good rhythm you know a couple of months back just before he got that, that back injury against Nottingham Forest which in the warm up which took him out and it feels like since he's, since he's come back in he's, he struggled for that, that rhythm that it felt like he had found and that momentum, you know he was, he was starting to get goal contributions consistently. He was starting to become Liverpool's focal point. Liverpool with two really tough away games. One of the biggest things will be them trying to get out when, when the other team are on the attack and, and vh important you playing should play in a really important role in that because he's the guy you can find space anywhere on the pitch at any time. So he's got, he's going to have a really key role in that. If he can start well in this period you can build the momentum and so to get back to that rhythm he was, he looked like he had before, before that injury.
- [19:32]
Matt Davis Adams
Well, City certainly turned up in a big game a couple of weeks ago. They played Arsenal off the park at Wembley in the Carabao cup final. Niko O'Reilly, the star of that one, Kerrys, he played full back there and scored twice. I mean he can play there or he can play in midfield, can't. He's. He's one of the standout players for City this season and he's sort of becoming one of the first names on the team. Sheet, isn't he?
- [19:53]
Kerris Rudd
Yeah, definitely. I think the versatility that he's shown, obviously primarily a fullback, be shown what he can do in midfield as well. It's really impressive for a guy of his age. I've been really impressed with him when. When I've seen City and he seems like sort of, you know, as they. We talk about them maybe going into kind of like a bit of a new era of this team and what it looks like. It feels like he's one of the faces that they need to be building around. It'll be interesting to see kind of where he's deployed on. On the weekend because we know that he can obviously play in midfield. He can play at fullback. I would say the job that he did against Arsenal at fullback shows that he can still have that attacking impact from there. So I would keep him there, try to let him develop some consistency. But in a side that sometimes has injury issues, that has so many kind of fixtures at this stage of the season, him having that versatility to be able to fill in, in multiple positions is. Is really valuable. I think it's something that Premier League teams who are competing across Europe, across domestic cup competitions into the later stages are probably increasingly looking for. You can't have. I think Manchester United are a really good example of this, of what happens when you have one or two players who are really good specialists in their position and you don't, even though you have technically squad depth, you have that sort of false step through, it doesn't really cover for them. Whereas his kind of ability to properly step in and not look out of place in multiple positions, I think really
- [21:26]
Matt Davis Adams
sets him apart in terms of where Liverpool will be fearful of City. Andy, you think of individuals and your default answer is Erling Haaland, but he scored what, five goals in 2026? Two of those were penalties. Are they more likely to be worried about your semenos, your turkeys and your docus?
- [21:43]
Andy Jones
I think so, yeah. Jeremy Docu arguably put in his best performance at the season against Liverpool at the Etihad earlier this season. You know, he was unplayable that day, really, and scores an absolute worldly as well to sort of cap it off. I think what Liverpool really struggled with against City in that fixture was City's press was really, really good. I think it was a little bit similar to the way they set up against Arsenal in the Cup Final where they sort of allowed, in Liverpool's case, the Elad, him and Konate to have all of the ball. And he is, he is the weaker of Liverpool's two centre backs in terms of playing forward and Liverpool really struggled to get out and then when they went long, City's full backs dominated the battles against the wingers and then obviously Liverpool can't get out. City penned them in and that's where it was. It gets dangerous. So yeah there's a lot of ways that City can hit Liverpool as they can hit many, you know, every team really. And it's about Liverpool trying to find ways to. To able to effectively play around City's press, try and gain territory or if they can't do that, being able to to play long, hold the ball up and counter attack which, which was the blueprint to two years ago when he went there on the slots last season even when he went down on the slot and basically played a counterattack to perfection and nullified City. Now there's still a question mark about who plays right back as well. With Jeremy Frimpong picking up a knock over the international break, it looks like he will be available again. We'll, we'll have to wait and see if Arneslock confirms that but you know that is another. It's been a problem position for Liverpool all season and has created an instability in that back line which you know, they haven't really been able to get away from.
- [23:18]
Matt Davis Adams
All right, well we've got to have a winner on the day in these FA cup quarterfinals. Who's it going to be, Andy?
- [23:24]
Andy Jones
I think City will win. You know, as tough as that was for me to say, I do think City are going to win. I think with them being a home, I just think they're going to have too much for Liverpool.
- [23:32]
Matt Davis Adams
Same for you, Caris, or do you give Liverpool a shot?
- [23:34]
Kerris Rudd
Liverpool have got a shot but I do think City are in terms of like the momentum and where both sides are at at the minute. I think they look too strong. They've also got as we spoke about that they don't have the nagging thought of having to play PSG midweek in the back of their mind which I think is a pretty significant factor.
- [23:52]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah. All right, well 12:45 on Saturday for that one.
- [23:56]
Athletic FC Podcast Producer
This is the Athletic FC podcast proudly sponsored by Betfair.
- [24:01]
Matt Davis Adams
Now this is the part of the show where with the help of our partners Betfair, we show you how you can play in a different league this season. James Mackie's with us to talk Manchester City against Liverpool. What are the match out odds markets for this one, James?
- [24:14]
James Mackie
Yeah, Matt, The Betfair sportsbook has the home side Manchester City as the odds on 46 favourites. Unfortunately to win the game in the match odds 90 market they look they deserve to be having already completed a Premier League double over Liverpool this season and could win three successive meetings with the Reds in all competitions for the first time since March 1937. That is some stat, isn't it? That would be ridiculous if they can do that. That's been a long, long time. City have also won each of the last 17 home matches in the FA cup while victory here would make this the outright longest home winning run by any side in the competition. So look, City at home in the FA cup they don't lose many. Liverpool look they look to have a mountain to climb on Saturday to get into the semi finals of the competition. They're a big price at 11 to 4 to do so. Actually you don't see Liverpool 11 to 4 a lot in any game. They have progressed from 17 of the last 19 FA cup quarter final ties. So we'll have to see it's always a big game between these two. The draw is priced at 23:10 with two of the last six meetings between the two sides ending in a stalemate. I think it's going to be a cracking game Matt. But the odds suggest that City should just blow Liverpool away from how they've been this season.
- [25:21]
Matt Davis Adams
All right, bet builder wise, we've been talking about Erling Harland and Mo Salah in the show and they feature.
- [25:27]
James Mackie
Yeah, look, you're going to try and keep it simple. It looks very simple on paper but it never, never is, is it? But for the bet builder this week we're going to have two legs in it. We'll start with City's main man Erling Haaland. He scored in each of his last three home games against Liverpool in all competitions and he's eight to 11 to get on the score sheet anytime on Saturday. So I like that that will start us off and then like I said, we'll keep it even more simple with Liverpool by just picking the best players on the pitch to score. So the final leg is Mohamed Salah to score any time at 23:10. Salah has scored in each of his last three FA cup appearances including in a quarter final against Manchester United in 23:24. So overall those two selections come together for around a 9 to 2 bet builder. And the beauty of this to score anytime goal scorer market is a safe sub is attached to it meaning that if that leg of the bet hasn't won and the player comes off the player that Replaced them carries on that leg of the bet. So fingers crossed we can try and get another one cross the line for the season. Matt.
- [26:20]
Matt Davis Adams
Nice. Yeah, we've had some luck with these already this term. Big game coming on Saturday then. Looking forward to that. James, appreciate your time as ever.
- [26:28]
Athletic FC Podcast Producer
This is the Athletic FC podcast, proudly sponsored by Betwehr.
- [26:32]
Matt Davis Adams
Now then, it's been an eventful week for Chelsea off the pitch, but when isn't it? Most notably Mark Cucurea telling the Athletic he would have kept Enzo Maresca in charge. They play Port Vale on Saturday. Tee time. Doesn't sound caris as though Cucurea has massively sold on the Chelsea project. It's not good news if you players are talking like this publicly. Always happens at an international break, doesn't it? But yeah, not ideal for Chelsea ahead of this one.
- [26:58]
Kerris Rudd
Yeah, it's certainly not ideal. I think Cucure's comments kind of read to me like they were coming from a place of frustration because of his investment in the club and in the team and in kind of being a senior figure in that team, really wanting them to do well. You know, he's been at Chelsea for what, four years at this point. He's invested a lot of time into it and I think it reads to me like he will continue to invest that time in it, that he wants to stay and see them do well, but has concerns about how the model allows them to do that. I think it, it differentiates slightly from Enzo Fernandez who kind of the comments we saw from him seem to cast doubt on on his future at the club in a way that I don't think cucureyes did. But it's certainly not ideal as you say. Like there's always the opportunity for this sort of thing to crop up over the international break. I'm off to Liam Rosinha's press conference shortly after we finish recording, so we'll see what kind of he has to say about that and what the the reaction from a Chelsea point of view is. But it's not ideal. But it's probably weirdly going to, I think, resonate with fans and maybe even like raise he's already quite popular but like raise his stature in the eyes of fans for kind of repeating what a lot of them are thinking, even if it doesn't go down as well in house.
- [28:18]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah, you can read Liam Toomey's thoughts on how those Cucurreya comments will have chimed with Chelsea supporters. And you can listen to Thursday's episode of FC for more on the fun and games At Chelsea or indeed straight out of Cobham, which Caris and I were on yesterday talking all things Chelsea. Andy, from. From a Liverpool perspective, this is good news, isn't it? Loads of internal turmoil arrival going for the Champions League can't do any harm for Liverpool.
- [28:45]
Andy Jones
I mean, yeah, it is if Liverpool could help themselves. That's an important part of it. How Liverpool are still fifth is quite a conundrum really. But I mean both teams over the last sort of month, couple of months, it feels like they're on opposite sides of the road. And while Liverpool are watching Chelsea walk into a lamppost, they're simultaneously doing it themselves. Neither side can find any sort of momentum. So I mean anything which sort of I just say brings a bit of turmoil to a rival is always a good thing.
- [29:14]
Matt Davis Adams
Keris, you and I are both going to be at this one against Port Vale Saturday, tee time, along with 6,000 Port Vale supporters. I mean they are what, 14 points adrift of safety right at the bottom of League one. This would be the biggest FA cup upset in whatever or since the start of the season when Macclesfield beat Crystal Palace. Can you make any case for Port Vale here?
- [29:38]
Kerris Rudd
I mean, the only kind of point that I would raise is that I've had the, the joy of watching Chelsea try and break down a low block quite a few times this season and it can be pretty painful to watch. So if Portvale kind of come like set up to do that as well, they might. It will probably just be a really bad game to watch, but I still don't think it will matter. I think, you know, Portville, they might be able to set up to frustrate, but I don't know that they have the defensive quality to do that to what will even be a heavily rotated Premier League side. And I also don't think they have the attacking firepower to score either. Anything can happen in the cup, that's the beauty of it. But I still don't think this can happen. I'm not as kind of like doom mongering as some of our colleagues on Chelsea at the moment.
- [30:27]
Matt Davis Adams
They've already eliminated Sunderland and the end Bristol City from a higher division as well. But those games are at home. That's the difference maker, right?
- [30:34]
Andy Jones
Yeah, it is, it is. So it's a much, much bigger task. It would have been anyway. But it is a much bigger task. If there's any premier team at the moment who look like they'll step on the rake to sort of cause themselves problems, Chelsea will be up there. Wouldn't he. So I think you can, you can hold out hope for poor Vale in that sense that maybe they just catch Chelsea on on another sort of really bad day. But yeah, I think, I think if we're all being honest, it's it should one maybe not the most prettiest or most, you know, a procession. I think Chelsea will will comfortably win.
- [31:06]
Matt Davis Adams
All right, that one's in the traditional quarter past five on a Saturday evening time slot.
- [31:16]
Progressive Insurance Announcer
You're listening to this podcast, so I know you've got a curious mind. Here's a helpful fact you might not know yet. Drivers who switch and save with Progressive save over $900 on average. Pop over to progressive.com, answer some questions and you'll get a quick quote with discounts that are easy to come by. In fact, 99% of their auto customers earn at least one discount. Visit progressive.com and see if you can enjoy a little cash back. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates national average 12 month savings by $946 by new customers surveyed who saved with Progressive between June 2024 and May 2025. Potential savings will vary.
- [31:52]
Kerris Rudd
Big news. Boost Mobile is now sending experts nationwide to deliver and set up customers new phones at home or work. Wait, we're going on tour? Not a tour. We're delivering and setting up customers phones so it's easier to upgrade.
- [32:03]
Andy Jones
Let's get on the tour bus and hit the road.
- [32:05]
Kerris Rudd
No, not a tour bus. It's a regular car we use to deliver and set up customers phones at home or work.
- [32:09]
Andy Jones
Are you a groupie on this tour?
- [32:11]
Kerris Rudd
We deliver and set up phones. It's not a tour. Oh, you're definitely a groupie. Introducing store to door switch and get a new device with expert setup and delivery wherever you're at. Delivery available for select devices purchased@boostmobile.com could
- [32:23]
Workday AI Advertiser
AI help you do more of what you love? Workday is the AI platform for HR and finance that actually knows your business. We help you handle the have to dos so you can focus on the can't wait to do's. It's a new workday.
- [32:43]
Athletic FC Podcast Producer
This is the Athletic FC podcast proudly sponsored by Betfair.
- [32:50]
Matt Davis Adams
On Saturday night Southampton host the Premier League leaders Arsenal Karius Arsenal had 10 players pull out of their respective international camps during the break. Do you think there are any legit fitness concerns for Mikel Arteta or is this just a liquid dose of vintage Sir Alex Ferguson?
- [33:06]
Kerris Rudd
Mad that hell of a coincidence. No, I mean there are some players who like will have valid concerns. I think Maduake and EZ are probably kind of the most concerning, but a lot of the sort of like minor issues or like slightly kind of vaguely labeled issues I would imagine might be a bit out of the Fergie playbook, but. So, you know, from an Arsenal point of view, that means plenty of players should be refreshed. They will, I think, against Southampton, have the chance to rotate and to rest some players more. Their eyes will obviously kind of still be on Champions League and Premier League. Which isn't to say that the FA cup is something that they will discount. They can't really afford to discount any silverware, I don't think this season, but they should be able to to field potentially a slightly rotated or heavily rotated team.
- [34:02]
Matt Davis Adams
So like Liverpool, they've got Champions League action to come in midweek. They're in Lisbon. But. But does the Carabao Cup Final frame Saturday's game slightly different for them, Andy? And that the expectation that they are going to win at least one trophy is still there, but they've missed their first shot at it?
- [34:19]
Andy Jones
Yeah, I think it does change a little bit, doesn't it? But I think ultimately, given where they are placed in the Premier League and you know, in the Champions League, yes, they also play like Liverpool do, but I think it's fair to say their tie is slightly easier than going away to psg. What Arsenal don't want to do is after a really bad defeat in the cup final where they were criticized heavily for the performance, understandably. I think if they were to come back from the international break and then go out the FA cup, given Arsenal's sort of recent, what they've gone through in recent years in terms of the bottle and tag and things like that and nervousness that they have seen to had in run ins during the end of the season, I think they need to sort of win this game. I think they can still do it while rotating. Ultimately they spent a lot of money to build the best squad in the league and that's why they're going to win the league. Or a big reason why they're going to win the league is because of the talents and the ability to, to use the bench and rotate and keep players, you know, fresher than maybe other teams. But I think if they were to come out of this international break in and go out the FA cup, then suddenly when you play in the Champions League, that feels like a much bigger game than it should. And then every single Premier League game as well, because there is that, that additional pressure. Because as you say that they should win at least one trophy this year if you ranked. Arsenal's priorities at the FA cup is still third. But now that they don't have that first trophy, there is still a bit of pressure to stay in the competition and try and start their momentum again.
- [35:47]
Matt Davis Adams
Basically Southampton wise, I've seen a bit of them this season. They've still got, got it all to play for. They're in the final playoff place as we record their level on points with Wrexham who are in seventh. And they go to Wrexham on Tuesday night. So probably just as likely that the, the low key, terrifying Tondreka rotates his team as Mikel Arteta would do in terms of players to watch. I did their, their third round tie at Doncaster. They nearly threw away three nil lead. But they brought on Leo Sienza, Brazilian midfielder, and he just took control of the game for them and they just about got over the line. Finaz also a big goal threat for them and that Doncaster tie was pivotal for them. They've only lost one game since that unbeaten in their last 14. So yeah, they come into it in good form as well. So. So not cut and dried that Arsenal will go through to the semis on Saturday night. The final FA cup quarter final is between West Ham United and Leeds United. This one goes down at 4:30 on Sunday, Andy. West Ham have got wolves on Friday. They could put spurs into the relegation zone if they get a good result in that one. But you don't really want to be just writing off an FA cup quarterfinal anyway, do you? And the counter argument to doing that I'm rotating heavily here would be that the momentum that West Ham have found in the last couple of months was sparked by a scratchy win against QPR earlier in this competition.
- [37:18]
Andy Jones
Absolutely. And there's a feel good factor, isn't it? Well, not quite a feel good factor, but it feels like it's a lot more positive about West Ham than where they were. I know they lose the last, the last game before the break, but you know, in terms of that, the sort of 13 games, you know, I think they've only lost three. So there's a, there's a momentum that's been building. They've been going in the right direction. Nuno has been getting a tune out of a number of players. And I think you're right. I think momentum, momentum is key in this because ultimately, as you say, you can't turn down a chance to get to a semi final at Wembley. For, you know, clubs like West Ham, they don't come around as Often as you would like or expect for a club of their quality and their size, you can't pass up those opportunities. Especially when you've got a tie against a team that's around you in the league. It's not like they're playing one of the top four or anything like that. So they've got a real chance and I think they win that, that, you know, FA cup semi final secured bounce into Wolves if you feel like you'll be in a lot better place than. Because ultimately they are still playing a team that leads potentially. You could still be in that relegation sort of discussion coming back into it a little bit. Although their fixtures I think line up pretty nicely after, after they go to, to Old Trafford. But I think just getting a victory over them as well would be, would be a confidence boost in itself and would work the other way for Leeds.
- [38:37]
Matt Davis Adams
Where are you with Leeds, Keris? In terms of the relegation conversation, they're only a point ahead of the two time European champions, Nottingham Forest. They do go to Manchester United in their next game. And let's not forget that this is a dress rehearsal for the final day of the season at the London Stadium. It's West Ham and Leeds. Are you still, are you still counting them as having a chance of going down or like most of you saying it's one of West Ham, spurs and Forest?
- [39:02]
Kerris Rudd
Yeah, I think the latter. I mean momentum is against Leeds. They've gone kind of back, back downhill in terms of results and in terms of performances. You know, they're pretty uninspiring in their last couple of games to say the least. But they've got a really good run in. You know, they have the chance to knock points off Wolves, off Burnley, off spurs and off West Ham in the Premier League. Like four of their last seven games are against sides below them in the table. So it's completely in their hands. And they did, you know, that sort of good work earlier in the season, kind of around the middle point where things started ticking up that I think just hopefully gave them, hopefully for them, gave them that bump to get them over the line. I think that the fixture list is kind to them and that should be enough for them really. Even though performances have kind of fell off at a time when they could really do with not doing so.
- [39:53]
Matt Davis Adams
All right. Well, they can have a little break from the grind of trying to stay in the Premier League when they go to East London on Sunday. 4:30 kick off. Off for that one. Right, that's where we're going to leave things for today. Intriguing weekend of FA cup action to come. FC will be back on Monday. Until then, thanks to Caris and to Andy, to producers Jay and John, and to you for listening. Enjoy the weekend's action and we'll catch up with you again soon.
- [40:17]
Athletic FC Podcast Producer
You've been listening to the Athletic FC Podcast. The producers were Jay Beal and John Rogers and the presenter was Matt Davis Adams. The Executive Producer is AD Morph to listen to other great athletic podcasts for free, including our dedicated club shows. Search for the Athletic in all the usual places. The Athletic FC Podcast is an athletic media company production and proudly sponsored by betfair.
- [40:53]
Workday AI Advertiser
Think Verizon is expensive? Think again. Anyone can bring their AT&T or T mobile bill to a Verizon store today and we'll give you a better deal. So bring us your bill, walk in running pogo sticking, teleport. If you can ride on the back of a rollerblading yak or fly in on the wings of a majestic falcon. Any way you can bring your AT&T or T mobile bill to a Verizon store today and we'll give you a better deal on the best Network based on RootMetric's best overall mobile network performance USA 2nd half 2025 all right preserved must provide a very recent postpaid consumer mobile bill in the name of the person redeeming the deal. Additional terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Could AI help you do more of what you love? Workday is the AI platform for HR and finance that actually knows your business. We help you handle the have to dos so you can focus on the can't wait to do's. It's a new workday.
- [41:38]
Progressive Insurance Announcer
If you work in university maintenance, Grainger considers you an MVP because your playbook ensures your arena is always ready for tip off. And Grainger is your trusted partner offering the products you need all in one place, from H Vac and plumbing supplies to lighting and more. And all delivered with plenty of time left on the clock so your team always gets the win. Call 1-800-GRAINGER visit grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.