The Transfer Flow Podcast

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