The Transfer Flow Podcast

We wrap up the January transfer window by running through the good, the bad, and the ugly of deadline month. Which clubs actually improved? Who paid too much for short-term fixes? And which moves might come back to haunt teams in a year or two? We get into Aston Villa’s win-now approach, Fulham’s expensive gambles on upside, West Ham continuing their long tradition of confusing striker business, and why Ligue 1 quietly had one of the smartest windows overall. There’s also a look at Endrick’s loan to Lyon, Atlético taking a swing on Obed Vargas, and what these deals say about how clubs are thinking longer term. Tickets for the Transfer Flow Conference are still available via the link below, and you can also find a link to Patrick’s charity trek fundraiser if you’d like to support a great cause. Tickets for The Transfer Flow Conference (May 22, London) are available now for a 10% discount: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1981005227964/?discount=earlybird10 Patrick's Charity Trek: https://www.justgiving.com/page/patrick-van-straaten-1?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 02:02 - Aston Villa 04:19 - A lot of money spent 05:52 - How quickly can you integrate January moves? 07:01 - These players will help them secure the Champions League spots 07:47 - Tammy Abraham 08:19 - Fulham have added players that don’t help them now 09:25 - Oscar Bobb is promising, but hasn’t shown much 11:13 - Bobb’s numbers haven’t even been great 14:14 - Fulham need to pay for robustness and playing time 14:44 - Raul Jimenez and Chris Wood 16:05 - What Fulham’s bread and butter should be 17:25 - Quinten Timber moves for very cheap 18:48 - French teams have been very savvy 19:53 - Endrick and the young talent at Lyon 21:55 - Endrick’s personality vs. his role 22:48 - Not going to the Premier League is a good choice 23:35 - French teams selling to Saudi 25:56 - Go to Saudi, get paid, and go back at pre-peak age 26:34 - The bad: West Ham 28:28 - Will they regret spending this money? 29:07 - Got a lot of money for Paqueta 30:06 - Could you have gotten the same player 3 years ago? 30:58 - Playing time as a resource 32:22 - Keeping our eye on Crystal Palace 33:13 - The value of Strand Larsen 34:57 - Worry about the McNeil deal? 35:38 - What will Obed Vargas and Ademola Lookman bring to Atleti 38:00 - The Penguin and what he brings 38:50 - If Vargas can add either playmaking or defending then he will be worth multiples #premierleague #transfernews #transferwindow #astonvilla #westham #atleticomadrid #football #soccer #westham #fulham #endrick #lyon #ligue1 #foryou #fyp

On today’s episode of The Transfer Flow, Patrick and Ted run through transfer deadline chaos and a genuinely weird Premier League weekend. We start with the biggest rumours flying around late in the window, including Curtis Jones to Inter (and why stats people have always loved him), Ademola Lookman’s move to Atlético, Jean-Philippe Mateta’s failed medical, and the increasingly strange career arc of Jhon Durán. From there, we dig into Spurs’ comeback draw against Manchester City and why Pep’s side still look incapable of controlling games for 90 minutes. We also talk Liverpool’s recent surge, whether Florian Wirtz and Xavi Simons have finally cracked the Premier League learning curve, and why City’s second-half numbers should worry everyone. We wrap up with Chelsea’s worrying trendlines under Liam Rosenior, how much beating Napoli matters for him, and what it would take for Chelsea ownership to make a change. Tickets for The Transfer Flow Conference (May 22, London) are available now for a 10% discount: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1981005227964/?discount=earlybird10 Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:42 - Accidentally going live and the TTF conference! 02:34 - Jeremy Jacquet to Liverpool or Chelsea? 03:36 - Minutes as a resource 05:30 - Xavi Simons and Florian Wirtz have figured something out 06:10 - Rayan Cherki was BALLING this weekend 06:55 - Curtis Jones to Inter Milan 07:57 - Will Liverpool let Curtis Jones go? 09:02 - Did Jones need more minutes than he got? 10:10 - Connor Gallagher and Jones + alternate realities for Jones 11:37 -Jean-Phillipe Mateta’s failed medical 12:53 - Why more players are failing medicals 14:04 - Learning from past players (Umtiti) 15:36 - Unfortunate for Palace 16:47 - The price for Larsen is not great 17:34 - Ademola Lookman to Atletico Madrid 18:31 - The price isn’t too far off 19:57 - Atleti are confident bringing in older players 20:38 - Simeone’s kids and Zidane/Thuram 21:48 - Jhon Duran leaving Fernebache 23:04 - Red Flags 25:47 - Solanke’s goal and Tottenham vs City 26:42 - 1st vs 2nd half stats 27:41 - City can’t defend with the ball anymore 29:25 - Ekitike making the Isak signing look insane 29:49 - Have Liverpool flipped a switch? 31:02 - Liverpool vs City 32:04 - Man United vs Fulham 33:23 - Ted’s Carrick suggestion from last year 33:55 - Chelsea’s trending is becoming concerning 34:37 - Shifting between tactical styles 36:00 - Carabao Cup potentially enough? 36:55 - How patient will Chelsea’s ownership be with Rosenior? 38:33 - Forcing Patrick to read a children’s book

Patrick and Neel break down the Premier League striker market, starting with Crystal Palace’s move for Jürgen Strand Larsen and what it says about how clubs are valuing centre-forwards right now. We also get into Bournemouth’s big bet on Brazilian teenager Rayan, why his profile fits the current state of the league, and whether these physical, shot-heavy forwards are the future or a temporary trend. Then it’s full chaos in the Champions League. Benfica stun Real Madrid, PSG and Newcastle trade blows, and the final day of the league phase turns the table upside down. We look at who benefited, who got burned, what the new knockout bracket means, and who are the real threats for the UCL title. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:16 - Strand Larsen to Crystal Palace 02:32 - The player makes sense, not the price 06:05 - Bournemouth sign Rayan 07:58 - A bit of a risk 09:20 - xG and type of shots 10:46 - Tunnel vision 12:17 - What will they do long term? 14:54 - Coaching situation 16:52 - Champions League drama 17:46 - Benfica stun Real Madrid 18:43 - Did Benfica know they needed a goal? 20:00 - Trubin’s goal 20:57 - PSG and Newcastle draw 21:43 - Extra round is huge for domestic competitions 23:12 - Sporting’s last minute win 24:03 - Newcastle will be kicking themselves 25:53 - The format and fixture difficulty 27:28 - Impact of UCL on league titles 30:40 - The draw friday and potential matchups 31:36 - Real Madrid’s quarterfinal odds 32:50 - The potential for lopsided sides of the draw 34:38 - Teams who will be tough outs 35:37 - Traditional powers aren’t particular good at the moment 36:35 - City’s threat over 2 legs 37:36 - PSG didn’t look dangerous at this time last year 38:33 - EPL teams or Bayern look the favourites #championsleague #realmadrid #barcelona #psg #premierleague #bayernmunich #arsenal #mancity #crystalpalace #epltransfers #epl #transfernews #football #soccer

On today’s episode of The Transfer Flow, Patrick and Ted break down the final week of the January transfer window and the stories shaping the run-in. We start with Spurs’ move for Andy Robertson and whether a 31-year-old fullback on a long contract makes sense for a team still searching for stability. Then we turn to the market’s biggest forward as Arsenal and Barcelona chase Julián Álvarez, asking if he’s worth a nine-figure fee and if he’s the striker Arsenal need. From there we unpack Manchester United’s win over Arsenal, looking at Arteta’s tactical choices, slow restarts, and growing physical strain, plus how United’s press and long-range shooting swung a title race that suddenly feels tighter. We then move to Aston Villa under Unai Emery, questioning whether their long-range goal spree is a genuine tactical edge or a hot streak, what it means for expected goals, and how the modern striker role is evolving as more teams build attacks around creating space for midfield shooters. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:06 - FBref/Opta situation 02:36 - Impact on people making a career in football? 04:37 - Applying AI to data collection 07:04 - Sign up for The Transfer Flow Conference! 08:04 - Has this window matched expectations? 09:07 - Robertson to Spurs? 12:48 - Gallagher signing thoughts 14:11 - Julian Alvarez linked to Arsenal and Barcelona 16:19 - €100m for a 26 year old? 17:47 - Arsenal need to try again at CF 18:46 - Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr rumours 22:04 - Where will Alvarez land? 23:17 - Should Arsenal fans be worried? 24:18 - Top xG team since December? 26:07 - Are United a good team now? + Arsenal worries 27:00 - No Europe is a GOOD THING for United at the moment 28:40 - Concern meter 29:52 - Finally some rest for Arsenal 31:08 - Odds for Villa to win the league? 33:03 - Restarts should be taken quicker? 34:33 - Villa’s long-range goals and xG off the path? 37:30 - Basketball analogy + how it applies to the PL 39:58 - This might be happening in the PL now 41:00 - Strikers are less involved this season 42:15 - Have Villa found an edge? 43:30 - Game state vs in training 45:12 - Emi Martinez’ performance + flipping the script 46:25 - Have Villa locked up 3rd already? 48:10 - These teams NEED a summer off #arsenal #astonvilla #manchesterunited #tottenham #julianalvarez #premierleague #epl #transfernews #transfers #eplnews #football #soccer #soccerpodcast #foryou #fyp

On today’s episode, Patrick and Hayden get into the latest transfer stories, starting with Jean-Philippe Mateta’s potential exit from Crystal Palace. Aston Villa, Juventus, and Manchester United have all been linked. Does Mateta actually make sense for any of them, or is this a move that creates more problems than it solves?Next, we look at Hayden Hackney and why the Middlesbrough midfielder is suddenly on Premier League radars. Is he ready for the step up, which clubs fit his skill set best, and why has no one pulled the trigger yet?Finally, we dive into the Champions League league phase table ahead of the final round of fixtures. Who is safe in the top eight, who is heading for the playoff round, and which big clubs are at real risk of missing out?Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlowSubscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribeJoin Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgradeFollow us on our Socials:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1QX: https://x.com/TheTransferFlowBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcastTimestamps:00:00 - Intro01:09 - More info on the conference02:20 - Jean-Philippe Mateta on the move?03:26 - Fit at Juventus05:54 - Aston Villa could get interested09:01 - Age an issue for Villa?09:39 - Best for Juventus?11:57 - Potential risk for Villa14:06 - Hayden Hackney’s skillset15:19 - Why hasn’t he moved yet?16:07 - Fit at Manchester United and Tottenham and potential price17:32 - He needs to be protected a bit20:32 - United need to stockpile young talent22:45 - Champions League final matchday preview23:51 - City on the outside looking in25:13 - Goal difference will be key + who’s safe in top 8 and top 2428:26 - Is 15 points enough?29:29 - PSG/Newscastle and Napoli/Chelsea are HUGE31:00 - Teams having something to play for33:18 - Ball is in Man City, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid’s court35:41 - Liverpool and Real Madrid safe?36:12 - Who can jump into the top 24?39:38 - Is 8 points enough for the playoffs?41:00 - Potential hard matchups in the playoffs#transfernews #premierleague #championsleague #tottenham #epl #crystalpalace #manchesterunited #astonvilla #manchestercity #arsenal #realmadrid #barcelona #football #soccer #foryou #fyp

Patrick and Ted break down a packed football week, starting with the latest transfer rumours and what they tell us about the plans taking shape at some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs. We discuss Chelsea’s openness to selling Enzo Fernandez, Manchester United’s interest in Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson, whether Ruben Neves could be a realistic midfield option, and what Manchester City’s January activity says about their looming rebuild. Then we move onto the weekend’s standout result as Manchester United beat Manchester City. What went wrong for Pep Guardiola, how Michael Carrick set his team up, and whether this performance signals a genuine shift at Old Trafford. Next, we examine Arsenal’s draw at Nottingham Forest and the growing conversation around their attack. Are these real warning signs or simply the reality of competing in a deeper and more physically demanding Premier League. We also turn to Tottenham and Thomas Frank. Why his Spurs project has struggled to take shape, how much of that is down to personnel, and whether the club is already nearing another reset. Plus a look at the AFCON final and why this year’s tournament has once again delivered drama. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:50 - In-person TTF event! 07:24 - Ruben Neves linked to Manchester United 09:29 - United linked with 2 other midfielders already 10:00 - Wharton and Anderson linked 11:36 - City and Real Madrid possibilities? 12:53 - Chelsea willing to sell Enzo? 15:31 - Sell Enzo and buy other players to flip? 16:20 - This transfer window has already been fun 17:48 - Moves to keep an eye on - Alex Toth and Romano Schmid 18:31 - Manchester United beat City, 2-0 20:14 - Rico Lewis was shocking + Is this on Pep? 21:27 - City’s poor press helps hide United’s flaw 24:04 - Carrick used the idea Pep has spent his entire career using 25:26 - Amad Diallo is so dangerous + Carrick thoughts 27:49 - Arsenal draw 0-0 to Forest 28:30 - Was this game actually toothless from Arsenal? 30:25 - Arsenal’s reliance on set pieces 32:52 - There are NO gimmies in the Premier League 34:15 - Our expectations are wrong 37:00 - Pep’s football has not adapted to this season 37:24 - This Arsenal matches up like Jose’s Chelsea teams 42:13 - Do head coaches really matter? 44:24 - The Premier League is way up on the U-curve 44:57 - Thomas Frank in trouble 47:53 - Spurs did not help him this summer 51:39 - Spurs are digging out of mistakes 54:15 - The AFCON final 56:30 - Senegal leave the pitch + Brahim Diaz #manchesterunited #manchestercity #premierleague #pepguardiola #arsenal #chelsea #football #epl #transfernews #transfers #epltransfers #tottenham #michaelcarrick

On today's episode, Patrick and Neel start with covering AFCON. We break down Senegal vs Morocco in the final, why this AFCON has been dominated by tactical control rather than chaos, and how Morocco’s home advantage and growing pressure could shape the biggest game of the tournament. We also look at the Mane vs Salah narrative, Morocco’s conservative approach, and what the semi-finals revealed about both sides. Then we turn to Europe’s managerial shake-ups. Xabi Alonso is already out at Real Madrid. We discuss what went wrong, why Madrid operate the way they do, and who could realistically take over next. Plus Manchester United appoint Michael Carrick. We look at what his football might look like, how he fits this United squad, and whether this is a smart short-term move or the start of another familiar cycle. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Neel's AFCON article: https://www.thetransferflow.com/p/breakout-talents-from-the-africa-cup-of-nations Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast 00:00 - Intro 00:43 - AFCON semifinals 01:59 - The quarters were the best round 05:28 - Egypt played pure haramball + Salah vs Mane 07:41 - Senegal look dominant 09:04 - Senegal vs Morocco preview 13:46 - Morocco’s support of Walid Regragui 16:53 - Brahim Diaz and Hakimi + the tournament hasn’t been dribbly 18:39 - Advances in African football 21:40 - Xabi Alonso sacked at Real Madrid 24:05 - What do Real Madrid do at manager? 24:49 - Alonso is as good an option as Real Madrid could find 25:40 - Luis Enrique, Tuchel, Nagelsmann 28:52 - Top 5 vibes coaches? 30:08 - Would Zidane want this job? 33:23 - Michael Carrick appointed Manchester United manager 36:10 - 2 big challenges 38:30 - If he finds a balance, he will be alright + how will they lineup?

Patrick and Neel dive into Manchester United’s managerial search and why Oliver Glasner has become the frontrunner, before questioning whether his tactical approach and track record really fit a club trying to rebuild at the elite level. We look at what United’s squad says about the kind of coach they actually need, and how much room there is for another stylistic reset. Then it’s across the transfer market: Aston Villa’s links to Conor Gallagher and Tammy Abraham and whether they’re smart upgrades or short-term fixes, Real Madrid targeting Nico Schlotterbeck as they plan their next centre-back pairing, Newcastle’s interest in Giorgio Scalvini and the risk-reward profile of that move, and Spurs spending £13m on Brazilian teenager Souza. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:44 - Brief AFCON talk 02:40 - Oliver Glasner on Manchester United’s managerial short list 05:27 - Not a great fit for a top side? 07:54 - Cup Success but no consistency 09:16 - What do United want to do? 10:17 - Not adding new ideas? 12:48 - No more than 2 seasons at a single club 14:50 - Other names that would fit better 18:32 - Aston Villa’s linked with Gallagher and Abraham 21:00 - Gallagher is on high wages 23:47 - Abraham hasn’t gotten minutes in a while 25:45 - Injury concerns 28:48 - Schlotterback to Real Madrid? 31:30 - Get the deal done now, not in the summer 32:40 - Do they need a RCB more? 34:56 - Scalvini to Newcastle 37:04 - He’s only played in a crazy system 38:49 - Romero comparison? 41:25 - Newcastle need to get younger 43:45 - Spurs linked to a brazilian left back 47:12 - Is this an overpay? #manchesterunited #manunited #realmadrid #xabialonso #astonvilla #conorgallagher #tottenham #newcastle #transfernews #premierleague #epl #football #soccer #fyp #foryou

Patrick and Hayden make six bold predictions for football in 2026, covering players, managers, the Premier League and the World Cup. We discuss why Benjamin Šeško may never lead Manchester United in scoring, whether Real Madrid could sell Vinícius Jr this year, and why Morgan Rogers could start for England at the World Cup. There’s also a look at Liverpool vs Aston Villa in the league, the post-World Cup managerial market, and whether Diego Simeone’s time at Atlético Madrid is finally coming to an end. Do you agree or disagree with any of our predictions, or have any of your own? Let us know via a comment below! Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 03:24 - Sesko will never lead Manchester United in goals scored 10:02 - Vinicius Jr. will leave Real Madrid this year 13:04 - Chelsea a landing spot? 20:52 - Morgan Rogers starts for England at the World Cup 26:35 - Liverpool finish ahead of Aston Villa 34:52 - Marco Bielsa will be on the market of the WC 36:22 - Diego Simeone will leave Atletico Madrid this year 40:02 - Simeone to manage Argentina? 44:40 - Takes that just missed the cut #manchesterunited #realmadrid #liverpool #atleticomadrid #vinicius #viniciusjr #premierleague #epl #worldcup #football #soccer

Chelsea and Manchester United both pull the trigger on their managers, and Patrick and Ted break down what these sackings actually tell us about modern football. Why are clubs and coaches increasingly at odds? How much power do medical departments really have? And are results even the main driver anymore? We dig into Chelsea’s decision to part ways with Enzo Maresca, Manchester United’s shock Ruben Amorim dismissal, and whether United are quietly performing better than the narrative suggests. Along the way, we cover January transfer rumours (Camavinga to Man City, can Brennan Johnson be fixed, Marc Guehi, Semenyo, and more), defensive work, set pieces, injury management, and how fine margins are shaping the Premier League title race and relegation battle. All that, plus what’s coming next for The Transfer Flow in 2026. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast 00:00 – Intro 00:53 – Chelsea and Manchester United sack their managers 03:16 – Why modern clubs and coaches keep clashing 06:22 – Control and fit in elite football 09:00 – Head coach vs manager: where power really sits 10:57 – Butting heads with the medical staff 13:32 – Rosenior to be Chelsea’s next manager? 18:44 – Getting along with decision makers 20:05 – Ted’s Brennan Johnson goof 23:02 – Best clubs for Camavinga? 24:18 – Rodrygo news? 25:59 – Ordonez to Liverpool? 28:18 – Marc Guehi rumours 30:02 – What moves will Man City make? 31:36 – Is Semenyo worth the price? 36:48 – Don’t make moves for the sake of making moves 38:00 – Manchester United sack Ruben Amorim 39:27 – Did Amorim want to be fired? 41:31 – The numbers aren’t too bad.. 45:08 – But they’ve been terrible 47:05 – Do United still have pull with managers? 47:46 – Kompany to replace Pep at Man City? 50:00 – The Premier League table, variance, and relegation noise 54:48 – Set pieces, marginal gains, and tactical tweaks 01:01:07 – What’s coming next and community updates (TTF Conference!) #premierleague #manchesterunited #chelsea #rubenamorim #enzomaresca #manutd #cfc #pepguardiola #manchestercity #transfers #transfernews #eplnews

The January transfer window is coming, and the conditions are unusually volatile. Patrick and Ted discuss why this winter could see more movement than normal, driven by league parity, World Cup pressures, and clubs chasing narrow competitive margins. They analyze who should act and why, covering the title race, the top-four battle, and the growing risks for mid-table teams. Along the way, they examine Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Spurs, and several clubs facing difficult strategic choices. The episode closes with a wider look at Europe and relegation planning, highlighting why January spending is less about fixing everything and more about choosing the right problems to solve. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast 00:00 – Intro 00:26 – Christmas Break and What to Expect From Transfer Flow 01:27 – Holiday Patreon Content and Upcoming Episodes 02:34 – The Expanded World Cup and Its Impact on January Transfers 03:27 – Premier League Parity and Increased Incentives to Spend 04:03 – Competitive Balance Across Europe This Season 05:42 – Why Premier League Money Is Still Likely to Move 06:22 – Aston Villa’s Position and the Case for Spending 06:44 – What Villa Actually Need in January 08:28 – The Manchester City Signing That Could Swing the Title Race 09:25 – Manchester United’s Underlying Numbers and Youth Reliance 11:37 – Chelsea’s Stagnation and Liverpool’s Stability 13:34 – Liverpool’s January Dilemma and Contract Uncertainty 15:14 – Crystal Palace’s Squad Depth and Direction Issues 16:12 – Palace’s Midfield and Wing-Back Needs 17:26 – Spurs, Recruitment Confusion, and Paratici Rumours 18:03 – Structural Problems Before Squad Decisions at Spurs 18:47 – Managerial Patience and Lessons From Unai Emery 20:22 – Nottingham Forest, Everton, and West Ham’s January Needs 23:05 – Relegation Planning and Risky January Spending 23:53 – Holiday Break, Listener Thanks, and Return Plans #premierleague #epl #manchesterunited #mancity #liverpool #arsenal #chelsea #astonvilla #FootballPodcast #SoccerPodcast #PLTransfers #transfernews #transferwindow #transfers #football #foryou #fyp

Patrick and Neel dig into the January window by skipping the obvious links and focusing on moves that actually make sense for both side. They break down Tottenham’s midfield issues and make the case for Raphael Onyedika and explain why Aston Villa should capitalize on their hot run with a smarter attacking midfielder like Romano Schmid. Then they look at Flamengo and what makes Felipe Luis the perfect heir to Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid. The episode wraps with rapid-fire takes on Kobbie Mainoo to Napoli, Milan’s striker search, and why some January deals are better left undone. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast 00:00 – Intro 03:40 – Why we’re skipping the obvious January rumours 04:30 – Tottenham’s midfield problem (again) 05:34 – Defining the profile Spurs actually need 07:00 – Using data tools to find the right fit 07:43 – Why Bryan Heynen doesn’t fit 08:40 – Raphael Onyedika 10:57 – Onyedika’s passing vs defensive trade-offs 13:03 – How he fits with Spurs’ current midfield 17:03 – How much can he really fix? 20:37 – The AFCON complication and January reality 22:26 – Aston Villa fans love Patrick 23:11 – Ollie Watkins variance and Morgan Rogers isn't a 10 24:43 – Romano Schmid as Villa’s solution 25:42 – How Schmid would change Villa’s final-third play 27:00 – Villa NEED someone on the ball 29:48 – Schmid has been consistent over seasons 30:47 – Flamengo’s rise and why they matter 31:43 – Felipe Luís’ rapid coaching ascent 34:55 – Flamengo’s squad age and key players 37:22 – Flamengo’s tactical flexibility 39:10 – Managing egos, minutes, and pressure 43:00– Why Felipe Luís feels like Simeone’s heir 46:23 – Kobbie Mainoo to Napoli: does it make sense? 48:50 – Conte, midfield roles, and Mainoo’s fit 51:33 – Milan’s striker crisis 52:27 – Why Füllkrug makes no sense for Milan 55:10 – Why Vlahovic would work 58:11 – Bad January signings vs doing nothing #premierleague #transfernews #football #epl #tottenham #kobbiemainoo #astonvilla #footballtransfers

On this episode, Patrick and Hayden break down a chaotic Premier League weekend. Manchester United and Bournemouth play one of the games of the season, raising big questions about Amorim’s control and long-term plan. Manchester City’s attack looks like it’s clicking again, but are the defensive issues still lurking beneath the surface? Arsenal remain the benchmark, but will their attacking deficiencies cost them the title? Spurs look lost after another damaging defeat, should they spend big in January or does Thomas Frank just need more time? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – Manchester United vs Bournemouth: A Game Without Control 02:27 – What’s actually working for Amorim 03:20 – Defensive mistakes or structural flaws? 05:30 – Lack of different styles under Amorim 07:30 – Wing-back issues and game management 08:40 – Bournemouth concerns and long-term sustainability 09:15 – Bielsa influences and burnout risk 10:47 – Where Bournemouth go from here 12:12 – United’s long-term squad dilemma 12:52 – Youth development vs short-term results 15:05 – Turning to Manchester City 15:49 – City’s attack clicking again 16:19 – Gvardiol, depth, and attacking options 17:49 – Defensive fragility and the Rodri question 18:14 – City vs Arsenal in the title race 18:49 – How Arsenal could still slip 19:40 – Arsenal injuries and attacking limits 21:22 – Merino, Gyökeres, and Arsenal’s ceiling 22:56 – Why Arsenal remain favourites 24:41 – What City still need to fix 25:38 – The league tightening behind the top 27:06 – Why this Premier League season is different 28:18 – Spurs collapse against Forest 29:05 – Suspect Defense and no creativity for Spurs 30:14 – Players want to play for Dyche + Forest’s transformation 32:22 – Does Frank need more time? 34:14 – Trying to be more defensive isn’t working 35:40 – How active will Spurs be in January? #arsenal #manchesterunited #manchestercity #premierleague #epl #tottenham #haaland #arteta #saka #pepguardiola #football #soccer #footballtransfers #fyp #foryou

Subscribe to our Clips channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TransferFlowClips On today’s episode, Patrick and Hayden dive into Real Madrid’s growing crisis as Xabi Alonso hangs onto his job despite another loss. Are Madrid simply uncoachable at this point? And if Alonso goes… who could realistically manage them? Then we shift to the Champions League, breaking down the race for the top eight, why January’s fixtures will be absolute chaos, and which big clubs might be staring at the playoff round. Finally, we look at Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year-old Lille midfielder linked with Arsenal, Chelsea and PSG. What kind of player is he? How high is his ceiling? And which club actually makes the most sense? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:47 Real Madrid’s Alonso dilemma.. is the squad uncoachable? 02:57 Why the dressing room has turned + structural issues at Madrid 05:06 The Mbappé–Vini problem and Madrid’s imbalance 07:41 Are Madrid running out of managers who can coach this squad? 11:08 If not Alonso then who? Zidane, Klopp, or nobody? 15:30 Should Madrid keep Alonso and fix the squad instead? 17:25 Who actually makes the top eight in the Champions League? 20:18 Why the playoff round could be brutal this year 21:42 Inter vs Liverpool 24:03 Who drops out of the top eight? 26:01 Liverpool look better and the Mo Salah drama 30:22 Should Liverpool actually sell Salah in January? 30:52 Transfer Rumour: Who is Ayyoub Bouaddi? 33:08 What makes Bouaddi special and what he still lacks 34:27 Which clubs make sense: Arsenal, Chelsea, PSG? 37:21 Why Bayern might be the best fit #realmadrid #xabialonso #championsleague #liverpool #mosalah #intermilan #psg #arsenal #barcelona #atleticomadrid #chelsea #lille #football #soccer #foryou #fyp #footballtransfers #transfernews

Mo Salah’s explosive post-match interview has rocked Liverpool, and Hayden & Neel break down what he said, why it landed so hard, and how it affects Arne Slot, the dressing room, Salah’s future (Saudi?), and even the Xabi Alonso question lingering in the background. We then zoom out to a chaotic Premier League race for Europe and focus on what teams can actually do to get there: consistency, tactical flexibility, smarter use of squads, and the coaching tweaks that can swing a season. Finally, we head to MLS where Messi leads Inter Miami to the title after a dominant season. How did Inter Miami balance their squad to win despite the label of Messi and friends? Plus, what MLS’s calendar and spending changes mean ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: 00:37 – Salah’s explosive interview 02:22 – Why Salah feels “thrown under the bus” 03:56 – Slot’s perspective: rotation, results & AFCON 06:53 – Wirtz vs Salah 08:31 – Should Liverpool consider selling Salah? 10:06 – Salah’s numbers dropoff 10:45 – Liverpool’s defensive struggles and lack of control 13:20 – Upcoming AFCON + Saudi move in the cards? 14:43 – Could Xabi Alonso become an option? 16:45 – Real Madrid and Liverpool similiarities 19:10 – The tight Premier League race explained through XG 21:05 – What mid-table teams must do to reach Europe this season 21:22 – Consistency, flexibility & the chaos of the league table 24:09 – Tactical flexibility: who has it & who doesn’t 27:29 – Chelsea, Maresca & elite adaptability 28:18 – What Spurs and Man United must fix immediately 32:41 – Messi & Inter Miami: Messi dominates the season 36:49 – Suarez, Messi & balancing the squad 49:04 – Vancouver’s rise & how the final was actually won 41:00 – MLS switching to the European calendar 42:29 – What’s next for MLS: spending rules, youth development & style diversity 44:50– The South American talent pipeline dilemma #liverpool #salah #messi #lfc #mls #premierleague #realmadrid #epl #manchesterunited #tottenham #chelsea #football #soccer #fyp

Patrick and Neel open with Barcelona’s win over Atletico Madrid and dig into why Atleti started well, why they collapsed after scoring, and how Raphinha and Pedri change Barça’s ceiling. They also break down what Simeone’s team is missing and whether they can stay competitive with Spain’s top two. Then it’s onto the Premier League, starting with Sunderland’s brave performance at Anfield and why their approach is working in a season full of chaos. Leeds’ shift in structure, Daniel Farke’s reputation, and their big win over Chelsea come next, followed by a deeper look at Manchester City’s issues out of possession and why their current squad build leaves them stuck between pressing and blocking deep. The episode closes in Scotland with Celtic’s appointment of Wilfried Nancy. Patrick and Neel walk through his coaching journey, his style of play, and what it might take to implement his system quickly in a tight title race. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 – Barcelona beat Atleti — what actually happened 01:46 – Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid 03:04 – How Atleti break Barça’s high line (secondary runners + curved runs) 04:51 – Why Atleti collapsed after scoring 06:36 – The Rafinha goal and whether Atleti are stuck between two styles 07:41 – Why Atleti aren’t as defensively solid anymore 08:50 – Can Atleti still be Spain’s third-best team? 09:30 – Barça’s ceiling and what Raphinha + Pedri change 11:12 – Is this sustainable and what happens in Europe? 12:55 – Premier League Round Up 13:26 – Sunderland’s positive approach at Anfield 14:21 – Sunderland looked dangerous and brave 15:19 – Sunderland’s attacking plan and transition work 16:32 – How Sunderland saved themselves 18:50 – Promoted teams: stick to your style or change? 21:00 – Leeds’ tactical shift and changes vs Chelsea 23:07 – The Premier League’s wild parity 24:34 – Leeds’ smart changes (midfield profiles, less 4-2-3-1) 26:10 – How Leeds should shape up in upcoming fixtures 27:34 – Leeds’ plan is working 28:29 – Daniel Farke’s reputation vs the reality 29:06 – Leeds’ quality vs the teams around them 30:01 – Man City vs Fulham: chaos game 31:36 – What’s wrong with City’s pressing 33:35 – City’s personnel issues 35:10 – Elite sides have to be good defensively 36:11 – Foden’s role and where he fits best 36:57 – City’s front three dynamics 38:33 – Aston Villa’s best performance of the season 39:15 – Villa haven’t played well this season despite results 40:50 – Moving on: Celtic hire Wilfried Nancy 41:14 – Nancy’s coaching path: France → Canada → MLS 43:31 – Nancy’s playing style and tactical profile 46:26 – How long will it take to implement this at Celtic? 47:33 – Celtic’s squad + whether the attackers can execute this style 48:54 – Why MLS → Celtic is a logical step 50:21 – Celtic’s messy process leading to the hire 51:25 – Why Nancy is still likely to succeed in Scotland 52:28 – Closing chat & where to find Neel

Ted and Neel break down Chelsea vs Arsenal and what the match told us about where both clubs actually stand right now. They get into why these two sides look like the Premier League’s most complete teams, what made the match tactically strange, and how Chelsea have quietly benefitted from continuity this season. Then, a horrible list of names to replace Arne Slot and why Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso could be a name to watch. Then, Patrick joins to discuss Spurs’ season unraveling as their midfield issues finally catch up to them, and why no coach can solve it without real passers. Then a look at PSG’s wobble, the drop in chance quality, and whether Luis Enrique can time another late-season surge. Enjoy! Ted's Chelsea Article: https://www.thetransferflow.com/p/are-chelsea-the-second-best-team-in-the-premier-league Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 01:09 – Chelsea–Arsenal: Are Chelsea the 2nd best team in the league? 02:13 – Chelsea’s defensive improvement 03:47 – Are Chelsea actually better? 05:36 – Stability vs everyone else being chaos this season 07:41 – Last season vs this season for Chelsea 09:36 – Set-piece leap and missing a real center-forward 10:48 – Liverpool’s slide and the press pushing manager-out talk 12:34 – The cursed list of replacement coaches 13:26 – Should Liverpool stick with Slot? 14:13 – Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid’s drama 16:25 – Alonso’s on-pitch signs vs off-pitch madness 17:08 – Big-name squad management problems 18:39 – Would Alonso fit Liverpool? 19:00 – Vinicius, discipline, and why only Ancelotti seemed able to handle it 21:09 – Patrick returns: Spurs’ midfield problem remains the whole story 22:20 – Spurs never solved their passing problem 23:44 – What Spurs actually did in the window and why it made things worse 24:31 – They spent money… just not on the problem positions 25:28 – Close losses, thin margins, and low-event football collapsing 26:08 – No catch-up gear 26:40 – Who’s actually running Spurs? 27:50 – Firing Frank doesn’t solve the issue 28:30 – Bad luck with midfield misses 30:51 – Take your medicine season: no fixing this before January 31:14 – PSG aren’t last year’s superteam anymore 31:51 – Injuries, kids playing big minutes, and defensive volatility 32:49 – Attack still good; defense wildly inconsistent 33:27 – Chance quality 34:49 – Enrique’s enlightened approach and long-view management 36:02 – PSG’s seasonal pattern and how Enrique times their peak 37:13 – Shot quality collapse reasons 37:51 – Patreon plug #tottenham #chelsea #liverpool #psg #premierleague #epl #arneslot #thomasfrank #xabialonso #realmadrid #foryou #fyp #footballtactics #transfernews #arsenal

On this episode, Patrick and Hayden break down the midweek Champions League action, from Chelsea’s statement win over Barcelona to Manchester City’s worrying dependence on Erling Haaland. Are the new league-phase games actually giving us useful information, or are red cards and rotation killing the stakes? Then we turn to Liverpool, whose defensive issues are starting to pile up. With Van Dijk aging, Konaté out of form and out of contract soon, and fullbacks rotating every week, what should they actually do in January? Patrick and Hayden each bring a centre-back target Liverpool should consider. Neel’s Man City Article: https://www.thetransferflow.com/p/manchester-city-s-over-reliance-on-erling-haaland-is-crazier-than-you-think Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:38 How red cards ruin these league-phase games 03:16 What the points cutoffs actually look like 04:02 Marseille’s comeback & Newcastle’s European profile 05:07 Chelsea’s first half performance vs Barcelona 06:12 The red card + Estevao’s brilliant goal 07:51 Cucurella’s evolution 09:38 City vs Leverkusen: the Haaland dependency problem 10:37 What City did and didn’t learn from this loss 12:08 Ajax–Benfica & the Mourinho control template 13:20 Rayane Bounida and Promise David 14:21 Malik Tillman’s development 15:19 City’s possession and pressing questions 16:24 Tillman’s large role for the USMNT 17:55 Phil Foden + City missing KDB 19:04 What Cherki needs to become 19:56 Liverpool’s defensive mess + Guehi links 22:26 Fullback additions 23:02 The expiring contracts problem 24:09 Why Liverpool still need a CB despite signing Leono 24:48 The profile Liverpool should target 26:45 Hayden’s list of options 28:58 Hayden’s pick: Mario Gila 30:27 Liverpool can be flexible on age here 33:00 FBRef comparisons 34:16 Why expiring in 2027 matters 36:05 The challenge Liverpool are facing with squad building #liverpool #chelsea #championsleague #vandijk #arneslot #konate #premierleague #barcelona #newcastle #marseille #mancity #leverkusen #ucl #lfc #marcguehi #guehi #football #soccer #fyp #foryou

Patrick and Neel break down a wild weekend. Spurs fall apart at Arsenal, Thomas Frank’s plan makes no sense, and Ezra gives Arsenal a completely different look in attack. Then they move to Newcastle vs Man City where both teams create a ton but in totally different ways. Newcastle go brave in midfield, City lean even harder on Haaland, and the guys ask what happens if he isn’t there. Liverpool’s slide continues with more tactical confusion and another bad run of substitutions. They talk about what’s actually wrong and whether Slot can fix it. They wrap with the Milan derby and where Milan, Inter, and the rest of Serie A really stand. Enjoy! Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:32 Spurs’ bizarre setup vs Arsenal 02:46 What exactly was Spurs’ plan? 04:02 Arsenal break the U-shape circulation 05:25 Merino and Eze 06:18 Did Arsenal benefit from not having a traditional 9? 09:10 Spurs’ defending issues and blocked shots problem 11:04 Eze is exactly what Arsenal hoped for 12:33 Spurs’ attacking floor disappears 13:15 What can Frank actually fix? 13:49 Spurs’ in-possession issues and the long-ball alternative 15:04 Spurs need a simpler approach 16:15 Arsenal vs Bayern quick thoughts 16:48 Newcastle’s daring plan against City 17:54 Why Newcastle’s approach exposed City 19:52 City’s insane Haaland dependency 23:01 Why City’s system is unstable 24:07 If Haaland gets injured… 25:00 City’s lack of shot-getting wingers 26:26 Marmoush? 27:25 Doku without Haaland 28:21 Savio, Marmoush and City’s weird squad choices 29:14 Pep doubling down on heliocentric football 31:04 Newcastle deserve credit + City no longer feared 32:04 Liverpool’s collapse continues 33:39 The defensive chaos under Slot 34:40 Slot’s changes making things worse 36:05 Why Gravenberch at the base is a disaster 38:17 Can Slot resolve this? 39:49 Should Liverpool move on? 41:00 The Pep-overthinking comparison 42:22 January options 43:40 Italy roundup 44:13 Milan beat Inter + Pulisic hot run 45:00 Inter’s elite underlying numbers 45:50 Why Allegri’s haram-ball is unsustainable 48:42 Milan vs low blocks 49:30 Modric/Yashari midfield questions 50:40 Milan’s shot profile tells the whole story 51:02 Why nobody in Serie A looks like a title team (except Inter) 52:16 Why Inter should win… but might not 53:02 Inter’s aging squad and repeat issues 55:51 Chivu vs Inzaghi 56:45 A real mid-off #manchestercity #mancity #haaland #arsenal #tottenham #eze #liverpool #slot #arteta #pepguardiola #intermilan #acmilan #seriea #epl #premierleague

On this episode, Patrick and Hayden rank the 10 best midfielders in football for the 2025/26 season. They get into why Pedri is the clear number 1, the difficulties in ranking Caicedo, Declan Rice, and Vitinha. Next comes Dominik Szoboszlai and Fede Valverde, whose versatility makes them super valuable. Slots 7-10 differ for the guys, with Tchouaméni, Joao Neves, Bruno Grimaraes, Elliott Anderson, and Gravenberch all getting mentioned. Then comes Antoine Semenyo, who is rumoured to be available for £65m in January. Where are his landing spots, why have his numbers declined this season, and could a loan to Barcelona be in the cards? Enjoy! Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade Follow us on our Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast 00:00 - Intro 01:49 - Establishing rules for the rankings 03:16 - Defining 6’s vs 8’s vs 10’s 04:46 - A Clear #1 - Pedri 05:22 - Injuries are his only downside 06:59 - La Masia’s magic 09:30 - The gold standard 10:16 - Declan Rice vs Caicedo 11:50 - Hayden was WRONG about Rice 12:59 - Caicedo over Rice? 14:27 - Rice’s progressive actions + Caicedo is hard to judge 16:58 - Both are super durable 18:28 - Vitinha second for Hayden? 21:50 - Vitinha runs the game like a manager would want 23:33 - Dominik Szoboszlai, but is he a midfielder? 26:07 - Comparison to Fede Valverde’s versatility 28:26 - Valverde as a leader 29:37 - 11 of 1 player as the best team in the world? 30:00 - Hayden’s remaining 7-10 (Tchouaméni, Joao Neves, Bruno Grimaraes) 32:10 - Who is 10th? 32:33 - Patrick’s 7-10 (Tchouaméni, Neves, Gravenberch, Eliott Anderson?) 36:20 - Contenders for the final spot 38:33 - Antoine Semenyo to leave Bournemouth this January? 40:04 - What teams does he make sense for? 41:00 - The price tag makes this difficult + numbers dropping this season? 43:26 - A loan move to Barcelona? 45:20 - Great fit on the current Bournemouth team 46:55 - Less minutes on his legs than his age would suggest 48:33 - Bournemouth’s talent exodus explaining the dropoff? #footballplayer #premierleague #barcelona #pedri #declanrice #caicedo #vitinha #joaoneves #arsenal #chelsea #liverpool #laliga #realmadrid #psg #football #soccer #footballpodcast #foryou #fyp