You'll Never Beat Kyle Walker

121 Episodes

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Christmas as a Footballer: The Games, The Cold and The Parties

2024-12-1840:30

It’s Christmas (almost) so Kyle, Browny and Chris have got their paper hats on and are talking about what the festive season is like for Premier League players: how much are they really allowed to eat on Christmas Day? Which manager was a bit of a Scrooge? And what gift do you buy for a footballer?Browny reveals what used to go on at Christmas parties in his playing days and recalls some of the fancy dress outfits he wore, while Kyle explains why the days of footballers going out in the centre of town have become impossible. They also chat about snoods, Browny’s sleigh and the Christmas legend who lives at the end of Kyle’s road.

Training Day: Pep’s Office, Sauna Club and Riyad’s Pasta

2024-12-1149:26

What does Pep Guardiola’s office smell like? Who’s in the Man City and England Sauna Clubs? And why did Riyad Mahrez have his own pasta?Kyle is taking us into the inner sanctum in this episode of the pod as we learn what really goes on at a Premier League club training ground. He reveals how often Pep is on the training ground, what they chat about in their one-on-ones and why the gaffer’s office always smells so nice.We learn what footballers keep in their lockers and how one QPR player’s bad breath led to his being messed with. We hear about the hi-tech equipment required to keep elite athletes going like cryogenic chambers and recovery pods, while Browny recalls the old days when the communal bath would become an impromptu diving pool. We also get taken through a regular week at Manchester City: how long they train for, why insomnia is a problem after games and which is the most important training session of the week.And for the first time, a listener is invited into the studio to prove if they can really beat Kyle Walker. But who will prevail in the Three Cracker Challenge?

Memorable Matches

2024-11-2743:29

Kyle and Browny tell Chris about some of the most unforgettable games - for the right and the wrong reasons - they’ve ever played in. The biggest wins, worst defeats, best atmospheres - and craziest clashes. Kyle also reflects on his time recently with England and what it was like playing under Lee Carsley.

Danny Rose & The Full-Back Reunion

2024-11-2045:59

Kyle, Chris and Browny are joined by a very special guest - Kyle’s former full-back partner and Spurs legend Danny Rose. Kyle and Danny talk about what it was like growing up playing against each other - and share the secrets of their success playing left and right back together for Spurs. Danny also talks about his famous debut goal against Arsenal - and the impact of confronting Jose Mourinho in the Amazon documentary ‘All or Nothing’. Plus, more of your emails to icanbeatkylewalker@bbc.co.uk

New Gaffers

2024-11-0635:16

With Man Utd and England both welcoming in new managers the boys share stories about when a new gaffer comes into the dressing room. The new ideas, the new tactics, the new rules…the new diets! Kyle talks about the first time he met Pep - and the managers who’ve had the biggest impact on him as a player. Plus, more of your emails to icanbeatkylewalker@bbc.co.uk.

Ballon d’Or and more

2024-11-0131:40

After Chris’s break the boys are back together and Kyle is buzzing for his teammate who's just won the Ballon d’Or. Chris, Kyle and Browny give their reaction to Rodri being named the world’s best male footballer - and discuss awards more generally. There’s also a bad Ballon d’Or quiz and, as it’s Halloween, Kyle and Browny talk about the time they both ‘trick or treated’ Ronaldo.

Captains

2024-10-2344:17

Chris is on holiday this week, so Kyle and Michael are taking the armband - quite literally - as they discuss what it's like to a lead a team. They're joined by the former Everton and England skipper Phil Jagielka to discuss what makes a great captain and why. The trio look back on their careers as leaders and whether they were made or moulded; who their leadership heroes were; the best captains they played under - and the worst - what it's like to face up the media as the skipper; when can you be a friend to your teammates and when you have to be the police; and what sort of responsibilities a modern leader has when the manager takes control of so much of the on-pitch decision making. Phil and Kyle discuss leadership roles at international level and how that differs from being a club captain, and then the current Manchester City skipper talks about the responsibility of taking over the armband of the Premier League champions, the legacy his predecessors left him at the Etihad, and what it was like to raise that trophy above his head at the end of last season.

Thomas Tuchel Announced and can YOU beat Kyle Walker?

2024-10-1727:42

With Chris Hughes off sunning himself on holiday, Kyle Walker and Michael Brown get together to reflect on Kyle’s time back in the England fold - and react to the news that Thomas Tuchel is to become the new England manager. They also bring listeners the huge news that the podcast now has an email address - icanbeatkylewalker@bbc.co.uk - a place for people to get in touch with their questions for Kyle, and to tell the world what they think they can beat him at.

Away Days

2024-10-0940:53

On this week's episode, Kyle, Chris and Michael Brown discuss the best and worst away days for a footballer. From intimidating grounds and tight dressing rooms, to travel and pre-match meals, the trio dig into the weeds to find out what happens when a team plays away from home. Kyle discusses what it's like to be out of the country for long periods of time during pre-season tours and international tournaments, and what devices modern players use to quell the boredom. From petting dogs to Playstations, it's a fascinating insight into what happens when you're away from home for as much as five weeks at a time. They discuss the best and worst journeys to away grounds, notably an occasion when Kyle was playing for Spurs where there was a very difficult moment on a plane heading to Sunderland which forced one teammate to decide to take a taxi home to London from the north east rather than board a plane again. They talk best and worst roommates: don't room with Jimmy Bullard; the most intimidating grounds both in England and abroad, and why playing small teams in the FA Cup is unmatched. And the episode ends with a chaotic quiz to see whether Michael can really beat Kyle Walker when it comes to a very specific question set by Chris.To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play You'll Never Beat Kyle Walker”

Trash Talk

2024-09-2539:32

Kyle, Chris and new, regular dream-team member Michael Brown are joined by a special, mystery guest to chat about all things ‘trash talk’! Which players are the worst for running their mouths on the pitch? How do you know when winding up has worked? Can ‘trash talk' ever backfire? The boys get to the bottom of this, and much more, as well as putting together their ultimate ‘Trash Talk’ XI.

When Pep Met Warnock, Derby Days and Bantered by Pires

2024-09-1847:20

Kyle Walker, Chris Hughes and Michael Brown are back together - as soon as Browny can finish his flapjack.Derby matches are the focus: Kyle reveals which London derby was more fiery than Tottenham-Arsenal, why one particular loss to Man Utd got under his skin and what it’s like playing in a match between England and Scotland.Have you ever wanted to be a fly-on-the-wall for a meeting between Pep Guardiola and Neil Warnock? Well, Kyle and Browny were there and tell us what went down between two football legends. Browny recalls what it was like to face Arsenal’s Invincibles which leads to Kyle remembering when he played alongside Robert Pires at Aston Villa, who it seems has as much sauce off the pitch as on it. If you ever wondered who had more yellow cards out of Kyle and Browny in their careers, we finish with a quiz that answers that but which also quickly descends into chaos and accusations…

Kyle on his teammates: best players, the jokers, bad dressers and divas

2024-09-1149:39

Kyle Walker is back with Chris Hughes and they’ve brought along Kyle’s good friend - but not best friend - former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown for this week’s episode. Kyle and Browny talk about meeting on the school run and why their kids’ playground is like a football World XI. They also discuss teammates: which Man City player likes to wear a leather gilet? Can Kyle beat Jérémy Doku in a race? Which former Manchester City player was a master of the dark arts and which current player wouldn’t you mess with? Michael reveals why a trip to Dubai was delayed after a prank involving a pair of knock-off Pradas and some superglue, how Erling Haaland has sorted the food in the City canteen and which striker cashed off a young Kyle with the pay-off, “One day you’ll make it”?

Kyle’s Gaffers

2024-09-0438:07

Kyle tells Chris about the managers who have played a huge part in his football journey.• Which England boss kept the team behind for 30 minutes to give them a bollocking? • Who cried in front of the Tottenham players when he was sacked? • Which manager made his players drive 2 hours into training only to send them home after 30 minutes so he could get home? They discuss whether Kyle wants to be a gaffer himself and the one club that might tempt him into the big job. But would he be more of a José Mourinho or a Tony Pulis in the sartorial stakes?They also chat about how Pep Guardiola changed the way he viewed football, why his relationship with Mauricio Pochettino broke down at Tottenham and he reveals which club’s training ground used to stink.They finish off by discussing which of the current Manchester City players would make a good manager, leading to a cameo from one of his City and England teammates…

Deadline Day

2024-08-2836:50

On this week's episode, Kyle and Chris discuss what happens when you get transferred. They dive into the entire process from start to finish to discover how it works, how you as a player find out and what happens when you discover that you have a new contract?The pair talk about moving from Sheffield United to Tottenham and what happened, how Kyle moved with teammate Kyle Walker-Peters and how his new manager - Harry Redknapp - didn't know his name.They dig into medicals and what happens, who brings the trainers to run on the treadmill, and what happens when a full-blown camera crew shows up to watch that battery of tests when you sign for the Premier League champions. Kyle talks about the end of the road at Spurs, meeting Pep Guardiola and his brother to discuss the project, his first day of training at Manchester City, and how he clattered into someone to remind everyone that he wasn't signing just for fun.

The Early Years: Lansdowne, Loans and Loving Football

2024-08-2230:48

On the week's episode, Kyle and Chris discuss how the Manchester City skipper got into football and his early career, which took him from Sheffield United through the lower-league loan system. The pair start on the Lansdowne Estate in Sheffield where they discuss the earliest games Kyle played in the playgrounds with his friends, before attending sessions for Football Unites, Racism Divides and being recommended to The Blades by one of the coaches. They then talk about the early days at Bramall Lane, cleaning the boots of the senior players, and what it was like for a lifelong fan of the club to sign professional forms. Kyle discusses his early loans, notably at Northampton under the stewardship of Stuart Gray, and the hilarious story of how his parents drove him to the training ground on the first day because they were scared of him being on the motorway, and how they walked in and watched training. They talk about Kyle's debut and his first games, and the transition from being a centre forward to a right back, having to mark experienced strikers. The pair finish by talking about how his first season as a professional ended up at Wembley in the Playoff Final and the pain of losing 1-0 to Burnley, and whether now, in the autumn of his career, he would consider ending his career back where it all started, at Bramall Lane.

What Happened in the Euro 2024 Final

2024-08-1628:30

Chris and Kyle are back together again to talk through the Euro 2024 knockout stages, and look at how England lost the final to Spain. The pair begin by reflecting on the quarter-final against Switzerland and discussing what changes to the back four - Konsa for Guéhi - meant; how you approach extra time in a knockout tournament; the pressure on defenders to not make a mistake; and how the team planned for, and carried out, penalties. They then switch their attentions to the Dutch and the semi-final and how you tackle a team full of Premier League players. Kyle talks about playing against teammates like Nathan Aké, marking Virgil van Dijk at set-pieces and trash-talking him; and what he saw when Ollie Watkins was slid in by Cole Palmer in the final minute of the game. Chris and Kyle then look back on the emotions of the final, how Spain were allowed to dominate, what the feeling was when the game got back to 1-1, and how close Kyle was to blocking Marc Cucurella’s cross that led to Spain’s winner. He then discusses his emotions afterwards, and how he cried because of losing his second Euros final. He finishes up by before sending a message of thanks to Gareth Southgate.

Inside The England Dressing Room

2024-08-1227:59

Chris and Kyle are back together for the first time since Euro 2024 to dig really deep into what happened at Euro 2024, from inside the England camp. The pair go back to the start of the tournament and work their way through chronologically, breaking down the big calls from the manager in terms of the initial squad selection - Grealish in or out - and going through the group stages in great detail, analysing what went right - and wrong - against Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia, before England navigated the group stages. Together they talk about the goals, the negative reaction from the fans, dealing with the boo-boys, and what kept the squad amused during camp. And the pair get into the weeds on the tactics, on the big moments in each game, why Kyle didn't think about shooting when one v one in the opening game, and just what exactly you can get from a "hoy" into the box in the 4th minute of injury time needing a goal to progress to the quarter-finals.

Euros 2020 Part 2

2024-06-1425:16

Chris and Kyle return for part two of their look back at Euro 2020, and we've reached the denouement of the competition: the quarters, semis, and a dramatic final against Italy.They start with the trip to Rome to face Ukraine, and Kyle reminisces about a great England performance, capped by a goal from his friend Jordan Henderson who he came through the age groups with. It's then onto the semi-final at Wembley against Denmark, and Kyle's relief at Harry Kane's extra-time winner that sent Gareth Southgate's side through to take on Italy in the final. Kyle also discusses how he felt the night before that final, the journey into Wembley, what was said in the dressing room pre-match, how he felt England scored too early (again), and how they had to defend almost constantly until penalties. The boys then reflect on the spot kicks, the atmosphere in the dressing room after the game, before looking forward to Euro 2024.

Euro 2020 Part 1

2024-06-1123:451

Chris and Kyle are back for the third episode of You'll Never Beat Kyle Walker, which is a two-parter looking back at Euro 2020 and England's journey to the final, through the eyes of one of the squad's most experienced players. Kyle discusses the end of the club season, and Manchester City's Champions League defeat to Chelsea, and how difficult it was to be thrust into an international squad containing three of the players who'd just beaten him to win the European Cup. The pair also discuss Gareth Southgate's management style; how they relax at St George's Park during a six-week tournament; what happened when the FA brought in a load of puppies to stroke; and why Jordan Pickford isn't quite the golfer he believes he is. And then the pair dig into the nuts and bolts of the tournament, starting with the opening game against Croatia. Kyle reminisces on goals, big moments, being left out of the squad to face Scotland, and the quarter-final clash at Wembley against Germany.

The Icebreaker Part 2

2024-06-0525:191

Chris and Kyle are back for the second episode of the series which picks up where last week's left off, delving deeper into Kyle's footballing life. As one of the oldest players still plying his trade in the Premier League, Kyle tries to name his older peers; discusses the reasons behind his longevity; and talks about why he's so fearful of hanging his boots up. The pair dig into the weeds on nutrition as the Manchester City captain describes his daily intake; why chocolate is the snacking habit he can't kick; and why his teammates take food bags home from the canteen. Kyle and Chris also talk about the difficulties of club and country positional rivalries when you're battling players you like and respect for the same shirt; why winning the Premier League tops everything and who gets which room and why when it comes to England duty.

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James Davison