Pep Guardiola's likely departure from Manchester City after 10 years and 20 trophies gets the full Paul treatment, including the big debate - is Pep the greatest Premier League manager of all time, or does Sir Alex Ferguson still hold that crown? Plus, Paul shares his surprise at the Enzo Maresca rumours at City.

Liverpool's disappointing season, Mohamed Salah's behaviour and whether Arne Slot deserves another shot are all on the agenda, before Paul turns to the big news at his beloved Chelsea - Xabi Alonso is coming, and he's cautiously excited.

Rounding things out, Paul touches on the Championship chaos involving Southampton's Spygate scandal, the A-League grand final between Sydney FC and Auckland, and why he thinks the 48-team World Cup format is a bad idea.

No Dave to argue with, no Adam to push back. Just Paul, a camera, and football.

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They kick things off debating the definition of world class after listener comments fired up following Paul's passionate defence of Chelsea's squad. Dave concedes Cole Palmer, Paul fights hard for Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, and Reece James gets perhaps the most brutal assessment in podcast history: "emergency room class."

From there the boys dig into the West Ham VAR controversy that effectively handed Arsenal the title, with Paul's argument that five minutes in front of a screen is the opposite of "clear and obvious" landing as the episode's most compelling take. Dave then delivers a five-point thesis on exactly why Arsenal are the most disliked team in English football right now, covering Arteta's "weirdness," the club's cringy social media, their grinding style of play, and the fans.

With City playing Crystal Palace tonight and the title almost certainly done, the relegation battle between Spurs and West Ham is breaking down beautifully, and Dave cannot see Tottenham winning either of their remaining games.

The episode closes with World Cup predictions, a look ahead to the Champions League final between PSG and Arsenal (Dave picks PSG, Paul thinks Arsenal are built for this), a callback to Episode 21's top four predictions that catches both hosts off guard, and Paul committing on the record to two solo episodes while the boys are away.

Plus Dave's season send-off, a big thank you to everyone who has listened, and the confirmation the show is signing on for a second season.

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The lads break down a massive Premier League weekend, including Man City's stunning 3-3 collapse at Everton that hands Arsenal the keys to the title, and the thrilling 3-2 Manchester United win over Liverpool that confirms Champions League football at Old Trafford under Michael Carrick. The relegation battle is heating up with West Ham, Spurs and Sunderland all sweating, and Arsenal's trip to West Ham looms as the defining fixture of the title race.

On the Champions League front, Dave and Paul go to war over whether PSG 5-4 Bayern was the greatest game ever played or, in Paul's controversial opinion, a nine-goal defensive shambles that Atletico vs Arsenal ran rings around tactically. No agreement was reached.

Plus, the lads run through their yes/no rapid fire questions, Paul makes a bold FA Cup final prediction, and someone threatens to quit the podcast over the Premier League player of the season.

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Chelsea's managerial merry-go-round is also under the microscope, with Liam Rosenior now gone and a summer rebuild looming. Dave puts Paul in the hot seat as a fictional boardroom advisor, running through the names in the frame including Andoni Iraola, Xabi Alonso, Oliver Glasner, Cesc Fabregas, Marco Silva and even a romantic return for Jose Mourinho.

Elsewhere, the lads dig into Bruno Fernandes' Player of the Year credentials, whether Michael Carrick deserves the Manchester United job on a longer deal, and what a nervy 1-0 Arsenal win over Newcastle tells us about the title race. Plus, with Champions League and Europa League semi-finals just around the corner, Paul makes his bold call: Atletico Madrid to win the whole thing.

All that, plus the boys celebrate going viral after dropping their first video, and Adam throws open the challenge to any listener brave enough to argue with Dave and Paul live.

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Then the conversation turns to Chelsea, where Paul gives his honest assessment of a club that has lost its way, a manager who can't command the dressing room, and a summer that needs to be brutal. What does missing the Champions League actually mean for Clearlake's project?

Liverpool's European exit gets a proper dissection too. Was Slot's tactical approach against PSG naive or just outclassed? And with Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes both potentially on their way out, is the whole club at a crossroads?

Finally the lads debate whether Spurs are genuinely going down, whether West Ham have done them a favour by dropping points against Palace, and why a game against Wolves this weekend might define the fate of one of English football's biggest clubs.

Plus a fascinating footnote on Luis Diaz lighting up the Bundesliga and what his sale tells you about Liverpool's decision making.

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Leeds United stun Old Trafford with a 2-1 win in the Premier League's most heated rivalry, a red card controversy sparks debate, and the relegation battle takes another dramatic turn as Tottenham's nightmare season deepens following another defeat, this time to promoted Sunderland. The boys also weigh in on whether Eddie Howe's days at Newcastle are numbered, what Chelsea's identity crisis really means for Liam Rosenior's future, and the big question of whether Liverpool can produce a miracle against PSG in the Champions League second leg.

Plus, predictions for the City vs Arsenal title decider, a look ahead to the Champions League quarter-final second legs, and a wild stat about Jose Mourinho's unbeaten Benfica side who might finish the season without losing a game and still not win the league.

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They kick off with the Carabao Cup final, where Man City beat Arsenal 2-0, a result the lads dissect from every angle. Was it a Kepa howler, a tactical masterclass from Pep, or just more evidence that Arsenal lack the X-factor to win the big one-off games? With the Gunners still nine points clear at the top, the title talk is heating up, but concern is creeping in.

From there, the boys turn their attention to Tottenham's very real relegation crisis. One point above the drop zone, managerial chaos, and a squad that's simply not trying. Dave makes the bold call: Spurs are going down. Are they?

Then it's Chelsea's turn under the microscope. The fine, the Liam Rasenior question, the PSG humiliation, and Enzo Fernandez's future all come up in a brutally honest conversation about where the club goes from here. Paul's written the season off but holds out hope for an FA Cup miracle.

Finally, the Slot debate: is Liverpool's manager the problem, or are exhausted and aging players just running on fumes? Dave wants change. Paul says give it time. Adam drops a stat about Leicester City that will haunt every Arsenal fan.

Passionate, opinionated, and genuinely funny. The boys are back, and they haven't lost a step. 

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Then it’s Arsenal’s title momentum versus the media’s mood swings, plus a proper look at City’s new-look directness and why a calm defender can change everything. Finally, the episode detonates into a Chelsea rant for the ages: the “project”, the spending, the long contracts, the red cards, and Paul reaching the unthinkable point of questioning Cole Palmer.

To finish: who replaces Spurs in the Big Six if they fall, a Mount Rushmore debate for Premier League clubs, and a ridiculous James Milner stat that turns into the perfect sign-off.

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From Arsenal’s 4-0 over Wigan and the “Madueke is better than Salah” takes, to the bigger debate around form, reputation, and whether some stars are genuinely undroppable. Is Saka having an underwhelming season, and does he actually keep his spot on name alone? Paul thinks he’s protected by the English media, Dave reckons that’s exactly the problem.

Then it gets properly messy: Newcastle vs Villa becomes the case study for life without VAR, the lads argue what VAR should actually be used for, and Paul unloads on Howard Webb. To finish, Tottenham’s situation turns from banter to genuine relegation anxiety, with Igor Tudor parachuting in and Spurs fans dreaming of Poch, De Zerbi, Redknapp… or even Tim Sherwood.

FA Cup elitism, undroppable superstars, VAR chaos, and Spurs on the brink. Business as usual.

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Then the boys get stuck into the football: City complete a rare league double over Liverpool, and the Liverpool post-mortem turns brutal, from “no leaders” to bench problems and Slot taking heat. Newcastle cop it too, with Paul arguing English managers get protected, while Dave says trophies still buy time.

There’s also a VAR rant (NRL-style clarity, please), Arsenal title nerves (is City really “clutch” anymore?), and a rapid-fire player segment featuring Romero, Tonali, Zubimendi, Milner’s appearance record chase, and the Harvey Elliott loan clause drama.

And just when it couldn’t get more unhinged: breaking news lands mid-episode… Spurs sack Thomas Frank.

Expect big takes, bigger arguments, and the debut of the “Press Conference From Hell” questions to finish it off.

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From there, it’s classic chaos: Dave’s not-quite-an-apology voice note to Paul, Chelsea’s “humble pie” problem, and the internet committing crimes by putting Declan Rice in a greatest free-kick-takers lineup ahead of actual legends.

Then it gets properly spicy: are Arsenal top because they’re elite, or just the best of a bad bunch? Does it matter how you win, or is winning all that counts? The boys go deep on set pieces, “spectacle vs results”, and whether football’s quality is dropping.

We pivot to Manchester United’s surprise resurgence, Manchester City dropping points, and Rodri’s post-match meltdown, followed by a rapid-fire Q&A on bias, burnout, modern managers, squad management, and whether social media has completely cooked football discourse.

Expect debates, hot takes, and absolutely zero peace offerings.

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From there, it turns into a full-blown manager debate. Is Arteta’s philosophy holding Arsenal back? Is Michael Carrick’s “new manager bounce” real? And why does Paul think Liam “man-age” Rosenior is being unfairly mocked as a LinkedIn PE teacher?

Plus: Crystal Palace’s sudden implosion, feeder club reality checks, and a brutally honest Liverpool post-mortem as Dave declares the identity is gone and Slot is starting to lose the room.

No trophies were won in this episode, but plenty of managers got sacked in theory.

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Dave and Paul are back in the studio and straight into it. From travel stories to a full-blown debate on whether the Premier League is becoming harder to watch, this episode covers everything and then some.

They argue over whether modern football has lost its spark, if nil-all draws are tactical masterpieces or just rubbish, and whether the league is more competitive or simply lower in quality. There’s also a deep dive into Manchester United’s shock performance against City, the Michael Carrick debate, Pep Guardiola’s future, Arsenal’s title charge, Spurs’ never-ending identity crisis, and whether Liverpool should already be preparing for life after their manager.

Throw in AFCON controversy, dodgy Panenkas, transfer spending madness, and one of the longest arguments the podcast has ever had, and this is classic Dave and Paul chaos.

Loud opinions, no notes, and absolutely no agreement.

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Manchester United hit reset again as Ruben Amorim walks, and the lads get stuck into what it says about the club’s leadership, recruitment, and the never-ending “project” that keeps going nowhere. Then it’s over to Chelsea, where Enzo Maresca’s exit sparks a proper Paul rant, Dave fires back with the “transfer factory” theory, and the debate turns to medical departments, sporting directors, and whether managers even run clubs anymore.

It’s shorter, sharper, and slightly more unhinged than usual. Just how we like it.

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On the pitch, it’s a proper Premier League therapy session: Chelsea’s 2–1 loss to Aston Villa sparks a deep dive into Maresca, substitutions, and why the Blues keep coughing up leads at Stamford Bridge, even after $1.5b in spending. Villa, meanwhile, get their flowers as a legit contender, with Emery’s in game tweaks held up as the gold standard.

Then Arsenal cop it for winning without convincing anyone, “own goals” doing the heavy lifting, and the looming question of whether City are creeping back into the title picture. Liverpool’s form gets a look too, especially the second half nerves.

To finish, Palace’s slide, Glasner’s future, United’s weird season, Pep’s camera moment, and a listener question that turns into a full blown debate: If you could pick any manager for Chelsea right now, who is it and why?

Happy New Year, see you in 2026.

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Arsenal scrape past Wolves and Dave throws the big question on the table: is winning ugly the mark of champions, or the start of a wobble? Paul admits it’s the first time he’s doubted Arsenal all season, City look ominous again, and Villa’s run is starting to feel very real.

From Chelsea’s routine win and Maresca’s cryptic meltdown, to Liverpool’s “beat the giants, lose to anyone” season, Spurs’ identity crisis, and a chat about why modern football has lost its proper villains.

Plus Pokémon cards worth ridiculous money, pronunciation lessons, and a closing take that sparks instant chaos.

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Paul swings hard at Jamie Carragher after an eight minute monologue on Monday Night Football, questioning why Liverpool’s club legend added fuel to the fire. The boys also unpack Chelsea’s title race illusion, Maresca’s endless rotation, Arsenal slipping, Aston Villa rising, and whether the Premier League’s quality is improving or falling off a cliff.

There is heated debate, elite pettiness, shocking levels of delusion, and at least one intervention required for Paul’s obsession with pundits.

If you love football chaos, this episode has it all.

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Chelsea’s gritty 1-1 draw with Arsenal lights up the conversation as Paul launches into an all-timer rant about consistency, red cards, Crystal Palace, and the unwritten rules of being a “real” football fan in Australia.

Dave dissects Liverpool’s much-needed win over West Ham, questions whether Salah needs a reset, and looks ahead nervously to a tricky clash with Sunderland. Spurs get scorched, Newcastle get praised, managers get judged, and Paul’s voice notes in Barangaroo are exposed to the world.

The episode wraps with fan questions covering Rice vs Caicedo, Brazilian Premier League greats and fantasy football advice the boys openly admit no one should trust.

Another chaotic, passionate, laugh-filled episode that proves somehow, some way, the lads have survived 10 episodes without killing each other.

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Chelsea’s sudden rise, Arsenal’s dominance, Tottenham’s chaos under Thomas Frank, Newcastle’s unpredictability, City’s wobble without Haaland scoring, and the wild Premier League table all get a run. Paul explains why Spurs ruined everything by sacking Ange, Dave debates how long you are allowed to enjoy a trophy, and Adam tries to keep the whole circus under control.

Across the episode the lads swing between serious analysis and pure nonsense, questioning loyalty, patience, expectations and whether following football actually makes anyone happy at all.

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They debate whether Slot’s Reds are broken, discuss Arsenal’s unexpected stumble against Sunderland and the mystery of the moved advertising boards, and question if Manchester United have truly turned a corner after another mixed performance. Spurs’ inconsistency and Richarlison’s shirtless celebrations also get a roasting.

It all wraps up with Paul confidently declaring Chelsea’s “quad is on”, and Dave reluctantly agreeing just to make sure the jinx sticks.

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Dave drops a “bullshit but true” stat about Joel Matip having more Player of the Month awards than Kevin De Bruyne, which sends everyone spiralling into debates about XG, PPDA, and why set pieces now account for over a third of all Premier League goals. Paul tries (and fails) to explain what “passes allowed per defensive action” actually means, while Adam plays referee as the data talk turns chaotic.

On the pitch, Chelsea bounce back with a big win over Spurs, Liverpool steady the ship against Villa, and Arsenal keep cruising — clinical, unflashy, and relentless. The boys argue over Caicedo versus Kante versus Makélélé, Spurs fans booing their own team, and whether Arsenal’s robotic form is unstoppable or just boring brilliance.

Later, they talk Haaland dependency at Manchester City, Arsenal’s title credentials, the myth of the next Leicester City fairytale, and the most underappreciated midfielders in the league. Listener questions from Australia cap off a fiery episode that mixes football nerdery, therapy for Spurs fans, and a few unfiltered rants about modern football supporters.

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They also dig into Arsenal’s set piece obsession, Manchester City’s reliance on Haaland, and whether Sunderland’s fast start can actually last. Chelsea frustrations return after a 2–1 loss to Sunderland, Spurs and Newcastle stay unpredictable, and the promoted sides keep swinging.

Expect stats, sarcasm, and plenty of shouting. Listener questions cover Sunderland’s top four chances, Cunha versus Wirtz, and Arsenal’s real title probability.

Listen to Episode 5 of Dave and Paul Talk Football.

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Paul isn’t buying it. He’s calling pressure, pointing at £500 million worth of new talent, and wondering whether Liverpool’s top stars have already peaked.

Meanwhile, Arsenal keep grinding out results with defensive steel and ruthless set pieces. Chelsea continue their climb despite injuries and red cards, Spurs stumble, and Newcastle puzzle everyone again.

The lads also dive into listener questions on Ruben Amorim’s future at Manchester United, whether Slot can make Liverpool feared again, and if Arsenal are the real deal.

It’s full of opinions, friendly jabs, and that one big debate:

Would you rather win 8 titles playing boring football — or 2 titles playing beautiful football?

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Public holiday = no studio… so the lads trade rapid-fire voice messages in a chaotic, unfiltered back-and-forth. Paul revels in Chelsea 2–1 Liverpool (“best we’ve been all year”), hailing Caicedo and Maresca while poking holes in Salah, Van Dijk and Slot’s subs. Dave fires back: “mini-crisis” or just a blip when you’re still a point off top? The banter goes full JP-Morgan-FC vs KPMG-FC.

Quick hits:

• Arsenal cruise past West Ham - title credentials hardening.
• Man City “under the radar” at Brentford; Rodri’s absence looms.
• Villa keep rolling; Everton clip Palace; Newcastle edge Forest.
• United beat Sunderland (shrug).
• Big Ange at Forest: mistake or mugs game?
• International break stakes and early-season reality checks.

A rough-around-the-edges voice-note special. Same heat, lo-fi format.

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A chaotic Premier League weekend sets the tone: Brentford thump United, Brighton outplay Chelsea, Palace bloody Liverpool’s nose, and the newly-promoted trio rack up a record points haul. Dave and Paul spar over whether sacking Amorim fixes anything at Old Trafford, if Chelsea’s issues are tactics or team-building, and why Arsenal’s last-gasp win at Newcastle might (or might not) scream “title credentials.” There’s banter about a 30-player office FIFA comp, flirting with video for the show, and the looming drama of Mourinho’s Benfica returning to Stamford Bridge - plus a nervy Liverpool trip to Galatasaray. One of them will be insufferably happy next week. Probably.

What’s inside

• United’s spiral: system stubbornness vs. inevitable sacking
• Chelsea 1–3 Brighton: creativity void, red cards, and Marseca pressure
• Palace 2–1 Liverpool: tactical tweaks, Wirtz form watch, depth worries
• Arsenal late show at St James’ Park: set-piece merchants or title material?
• Promoted sides flying: Sunderland, Leeds & Burnley’s fast start
• Europe preview: Mourinho at the Bridge, Anfield to Istanbul nerves

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After a decade on the sidelines, Dave and Paul dust off the mics for a no-filter return. Expect vintage banter, shameless self-deprecation, and plenty of hot takes as they rip through a wild Premier League weekend: Brighton–Spurs chaos, West Ham wobbling, Palace pestering giants, Leeds over Wolves, Villa misfiring, the Merseyside Derby, Arsenal–City’s chess match, and Chelsea’s stumble against United. The lads clash on Liverpool’s “era” (FSG, Michael Edwards, data vs dollars), whether Chelsea have become “JP Morgan FC,” and if Arteta’s pragmatism is holding Arsenal back while Slot’s Liverpool gamble to win late. They finish on the eternal United question: stick or twist with Amorim, and does anything change without full top-to-bottom ownership overhaul? Producer Adam’s back, a couple of unnamed ex-mates are (allegedly) “inside,” and the boys vow consistency… this time for real.

Highlights

• Liverpool’s rebuild vs. megaspend models
• Chelsea’s long deals, short patience
• Arteta’s handbrake vs. risk-taking football
• United’s identity crisis and ownership saga

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