logo
episode-header-image
Sep 8
48m 44s

Your England XI if the World Cup was tom...

THE TIMES
About this episode

Have England gone backwards under Thomas Tuchel, does he know his best starting XI?

The team pick their best teams if the World Cup was starting tomorrow…is there a case for no Kane or no Bellingham…?

After the break could football be facing a doping problem. In a special report The Times Chief Sports correspondent Matt Lawton joins the pod to discuss if football’s drug testing systems are fit for purpose. He calls football's current commitment to anti-doping pathetic.


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

Up next
Yesterday
EFL Extra: New faces and lofty ambitions
<p>More new managers in the Championship as Swansea, Middlesborough and Norwich all appoint. In South Wales Vitor Matos wants to bring back the DNA of the club…but what does that mean? </p><p>Are Birmingham starting to find their feet in the Championship? Off the pitch they have ... Show More
35m 23s
Nov 24
Eze shines but is Frank out of his depth?
<p>Eberechi Eze scored a brilliant hat-trick to win the North London derby for Arsenal and proved he is now a certified star at the very top of the Premier League.&nbsp;</p><br><p>Arsenal are six points clear but the 4-1 defeat leaves Spurs in ninth and further questions about Th ... Show More
59m 5s
Nov 20
Premier League Predictions
<p><br></p><p>A quick reflection on an epic night for Scotland, a big win for Wales and some of the surprises who have qualified for World Cup 26’</p><p>Then it’s back to the Premier League. How much will Arsenal miss Gabriel? They have strength in depth but are any up Gabriel’s ... Show More
40m 17s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
England Thump Ireland & The Big Questions Remaining For Tuchel
What have England learnt from Lee Carsely’s six games in charge? Who has really stepped up and taken their chance after so many players pulled out of the squad this time round? What are the main priorities for Thomas Tuchel when he takes over? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss t ... Show More
27m 35s
Mar 2025
How Will Tuchel Line Up With His First England XI?
What formation will Thomas Tuchel adopt for his first England game? Will the surprise inclusions of Jordan Henderson and Dan Burn make an impact on the pitch? Would a prime Micah Richards make it into the current England squad if everyone was fit? Gary, Alan and Micah also debat ... Show More
24m 30s
Sep 2024
Who wants the new Club World Cup?
In June FIFA’s new Club World Cup launches but do you know where it’s being held, who’s playing in it or what the format actually is?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Matt Slater and Adam Crafton to discuss the tournament ahead of it's relaunch in the USA next summer wit ... Show More
39m 18s
Oct 6
Why Are Goalkeepers STRUGGLING With The New Premier League Football?
There’s plenty of football chat to get stuck into as we hit the Premier League season’s second International break! Ben is joined by Tom, Watto and Toze to discuss Liverpool’s THIRD defeat in a week! We look into Senne Lammens’ Man Utd debut, can Jack Grealish get back into the E ... Show More
1h 20m
Sep 9
The Football Reporters: Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo dilemma
James Olley, Mark Ogden and Rob Dawson take a closer look at how Kobbie Mainoo being forced to settle for a spot on the bench might impact his development and his hopes of a place in England's 2026 World Cup squad. The trio also debate the impact of more and more American investm ... Show More
45m 41s
Oct 16
Can Man Utd expose Liverpool’s weaknesses?
We've completed the first leg of our live-show tour with dates in Belfast, Dublin, and Cork. Ian and Laurie are back at home feeling the effects, Andy continues on a bit more of a trek having paced himself, and Carl has wisely allowed himself a day off.No rest for Manchester Unit ... Show More
45m 30s
Aug 26
The Football Reporters: Yunus Musah ready for the USMNT’s home World Cup
USMNT and AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah joins James Olley and Rob Dawson to discuss the 2026 World Cup, his absence from the Gold Cup squad and life in Milan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 
33m 52s
Nov 13
Ronaldo & Portugal Humbled In Ireland
The FC crew react to Cristiano Ronaldo being sent off as Portugal fail to beat Ireland in order to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Plus, discussion on Tuchel's comments that Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, and Harry Kane can't play at the same time for England. Plus, reaction t ... Show More
1h 8m
Oct 14
The Football Reporters: Tuchel’s Bellingham conundrum
Rob Dawson, James Olley and Mark Ogden debate whether Jude Bellingham can force his way back into England’s starting XI. Plus, Mark speaks about his trip to Gibraltar to watch New Caledonia and the guys look ahead to the return of the Premier League. Learn more about your ad choi ... Show More
59m 3s
Sep 6
Ronaldo Rules Portugal
The FC crew reacts to Portugal's 5-0 win vs Armenia and discuss Cristiano Ronaldo's place in the squad heading into the World Cup next year. Then, the guys break down England's 2-0 win vs Andorra and Thomas Tuchel's comments after the game. Plus, Craig Burley reacts to Luis Suáre ... Show More
1h 6m