Ranks FC - A Football Podcast
Ranks FC is a football podcast that ranks various aspects of the sport, from players to leagues. Hosted by Jack Collins and Dean Jones, the show covers European football including the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and more. Each episode features rankings, positive discussions, and segments like Things We Love and Melon of the Week.
Episodes
Champions League Takeaway: More Pain for United, Bayern Raided by Viking, Lamine Shining, Arsenal Cruising, Inter in Trouble & Everything Else
Hello Rank Squad! Champions League Takeaway returns for Matchweek Two of this season's League Stage, and we returned to plenty of chaos and action across all nine games on Tuesday. We open up by talking about Manchester United's 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid and how predictable it felt that United performed in the manner that they did - Michael Carrick's seat looks hotter and hotter by the game
Ranking the Return of Club Football
Hello Rank Squad!After the thrills and spills of the international break, and after plenty of fun and excitement both on and off the pitch, top flight club football returns with a vengeance this weekend, and today we're taking a look at what we have to look forward to from players, fixtures and storylines that will define these next few weeks. Dean starts us off by picking out a few players w
The Big Questions After Manchester City are Charged by the Premier League
Hello Rank Squad! In all truth, this isn't really an episode we wanted to be doing this week - we love talking about the beautiful game, and seeing the best players in the world do what they do best, and neither of us is going to sit here and pretend to be an expert in football litigation and financial matters, although Jack will always do the reading. But after Manchester City were found gui
Ranking the Best Storylines of the International Break
Hello Rank Squad!It's the beginning of the first ever three week international break in the middle of a season, so it felt like a good time to give you the down low on what you should be watching as we turn over the first page in the new international chapter after the summer's World Cup. We talk through some of the biggest storylines, including the USMNT's youth injection, France and Germany's ne
Ranking Our Standout Players of the Season So Far
Hello Rank Squad!There's a lot of negativity being thrown around at the moment in the football space (and much of it justifiably so), but today we thought we'd try and flip that narrative a little bit by picking out our star performers from across the season so far, and bring a little positive energy to the sphere whilst we're doing so. We pick out five of the best from the Premier League and
Champions League Takeaway: United hit Four, Bayern hit Five, Como Arrive, Thriller in Prague & Everything Else!
Hello Rank Squad! Three days of Champions League action are now all wrapped up, and what an night we had on Thursday to pull it to a close for around a month - consider the appetite firmly whetted! We start at Old Trafford, where Manchester United were expected to beat newcomers Sabah pretty comfortably, and they did - scoring four without reply to give themselves a much needed confidence boo
Champions League Takeaway: Another Five for Brilliant Barça, Liverpool's Atleti Revenge, Ødegaard Inspires Gunners & Everything Else!
Hello Rank Squad! It's time for your second helping of Champions League Takeaway this week, in what will be a three course meal. Wednesday's action brought a heap of storylines for us to dig into, starting in Part One with Andoni Iraola's first ever Champions League game as a manager, which his Liverpool side turned around to win 2-1 at Anfield over Atletico Madrid. We also take a look at a r
Champions League Takeaway: Madrid Best Inter at the Bernabeu, Haaland Puts Away Porto, Troy the Betico Boy & Everything Else!
Hello Rank Squad! It's the return of Champions League Takeaway for a new season - your midnight feast of all the action from the Champions League. As the competition returned, we were treated to a classic at the Bernabeu, with Jose Mourinho playing host to the side with which he won the tournament in this very stadium, and then beat them 2-1 in a classic encounter between Real Madrid and Inte
Ranking the Biggest Stories of Transfer Deadline Day
Hello Rank Squad!
After a very chaotic Deadline Day, we thought it was for the best that we discussed all of the biggest stories to come out of the window before it slammed shut. We start with Manchester City's deal for Enzo Fernandez, which equals the British Transfer Record set by Alexander Isak, and also makes Enzo the first player ever to have two separate £100m+ transfers in their caree
Ranking the Final Week of the Transfer Window
Hello Rank Squad!
We have under seven days until the summer transfer window SLAMS SHUT and there is plenty left to do for a whole host of the world's biggest clubs. We walk through all of the big storylines that will help define how this window is considered by fans all over the planet.
We start with Manchester United, who announced the signing of Carlos Baleba on Tuesday, but who still are in de
The Big Premier League Preview Show 26/27
Hello Rank Squad!
Here we go again in the Premier League, with the competition kicking off this Friday as Champions Arsenal host newly-promoted Coventry City in the curtain raiser. On today's show, we preview everything you need to know ahead of the new campaign, starting with defending champions Arsenal in Part One, alongside both Manchester United and Manchester City, and new-look Liverpool.
In
The Big La Liga Preview Show 26/27
Hello Rank Squad!
La Liga returns this weekend, and thus it's time for our big preview - even if it feels like mere days since the World Cup ended! We start in Part One with a look at the Big Three - a Barcelona side looking for three league titles in a row, a Real Madrid side now under Jose Mourinho bringing in plenty of new faces to try and overturn the power balance, and an Atletico Madrid unde
The Big Deals Remaining for the Premier League Big Six
Hello Rank Squad!
Jack's taken a much-needed breather before the season gets going again, so the Guru's at the controls and today Dean's cutting through the noise to look at the big six in the Premier League and where their big transfer signings might yet come before the transfer window closes
Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham are covered in Part One, before Manchester City, Manchester United and C
Ranking the Biggest Transfer Deals of Summer So Far
Hello Rank Squad!
It's time to bring the Transfer Guru firmly back into play with the World Cup done and dusted - and Dean's been keeping an eye on the biggest transfers that have taken place both during the tournament and after it finished. With that in mind, we talk through the big deals involved in Tottenham Hotspur's complete revamp, and Manchester United's midfield refresh; before heading on
Ranking the Complete World Cup Experience with Casey Settleman
Hello Rank Squad!
We've got a special guest for you today, as we're joined by the man who covered the World Cup like no other - Casey Settleman of Snapback Sports, who went to a World Cup game every day of the tournament, criss-crossing the three host countries and getting acquainted with the 48 fanbases across the tournament.
Today he joins Jack to look back at the adventure of a lifetime, as w
Postbox Extract: Sublime Spain Champions Again, Argentina Go Missing & The World Cup Legacy
Hello Rank Squad!
Here's a little bit of a bonus episode looking back at the World Cup final, where Spain triumphed 1-0 over Argentina thanks to a Ferran Torres winner in extra time, as the comprehensively better side on the day lifted the trophy, and opened up the conversation again about a cohesive collective being stronger than the stardust of the individual. We take a look back at both sides o
Ranking the World Cup Final: Argentina vs Spain
Hello Rank Squad!
We're back with our final show from within the 2026 World Cup, looking ahead to the final on Sunday between Spain and Argentina. We take each team individually, reflecting on their performances in their semi-finals and the games leading up to them, discuss how we think this battle might play out, and give some predictions for good measure.
It's Ranks!
And remember, if you’d li
Ranking the Biggest Letdowns of the World Cup
Hello Ultras!
There are just eight teams remaining in this World Cup, so with that, there are some teams that are going to be deeply disappointed in their performances - either over the tournament as a whole, or in an individual game performance that saw them eliminated from the competition. We take a look through what we believe to be some of the biggest letdowns of this World Cup up to this poi
Ranking the World Cup Round of 32
Hello Rank Squad!
Welcome back to another World Cup episode of the show, where we take a look back at the Round of 32. First we say a fond farewell to some of our favourite teams of this tournament, notably Cape Verde after their incredible performance against Argentina, as well as Cote d'Ivoire, and a youthful Australia who surpassed many expectations.
In Part Two, we examine the two pre-tournam
Ranking the US & England at the World Cup: The Good, The Bad & The Questions
Hello Rank Squad!
We decided, given the schedule is a bit mad these days, to try and bring some shorter fun to life here on Ranks FC. Now, we know that the vast majority of our listeners are in the US & England; so we thought that the day after both sides qualified for the Round of 16 - the USMNT with a 2-0 win over Bosnia & Herzogovina, and England with a 2-1 win over DR Congo - that we would ta
Ranking World Cup Players Shaking Up the Transfer Market
Hello Rank Squad!
Now that the second round of games is done and dusted, we're back to examine what we've seen - from both a team and an individual perspective. We start with some of the risers and fallers in the World Cup stakes, examining which countries' stocks have fallen and risen; before turning our attention to the players who have put their own names up in lights ahead of what will undoub
Ranking the First Round of the World Cup
Hello Rank Squad!
A slightly delayed main episode this week because we wanted to see all 48 nations play at least once in the World Cup before making any sweeping assertions, so here's our take on the first round of games now that every team has seen the pitch!
In Part One, we start with a look at the pre-tournament favourites who impressed us most in their opening encounters, who lived up to th
The World Cup Preview: Groups J - L
Hello Rank Squad!
Here's the final editions of our four World Cup preview shows, where we look through the final three groups and give our thoughts on each of the four teams in each. Jack and Dean are back together to wrap things up from the preview side.
Starting in Group J we take a look at reigning champions Argentina, discussing whether a very similar squad to 2022 could retain this trophy; b
The World Cup Preview: Groups G - I
Hello Rank Squad!
Here's the third of our four World Cup preview shows, where we look through the next three groups and give our thoughts on each of the four teams in each. Jack Collins is joined once more by the returning Dean Jones as we return to regular programming.
Starting in Group G with a look through Belgium and where the Red Devils are with the golden generation mostly in the rear-view
The World Cup Preview: Groups D - F
Hello Rank Squad!
Here's the second of our four World Cup preview shows, where we look through the next three groups and give our thoughts on each of the four teams in each. Jack Collins is joined by Austin Miller of the extraordinary World Cup After Dark Podcast to keep things ticking over.
Starting in Group D with a look through the expectations and reality associated with the USMNT ahead of th
The World Cup Preview: Groups A-C
Hello Rank Squad!
With the domestic season in Europe all wrapped up, it's time to completely lock in to World Cup mode - and so here's the first of our four World Cup preview shows, where we look through the first three groups and give our thoughts on each of the four teams in each. Jack Collins is joined by the brilliant Dougie Critchley to get things started.
Starting in Group A with one of the
Postbox Excerpt: PSG Beat Arsenal to Conquer Europe Again
Hello Rank Squad!
We thought with the Champions League done and dusted, after PSG beat Arsenal on penalties to retain their crown and become just the second club in the modern era to go back-to-back, it was a good time to give you a little taster of what we get up to on the Patreon feed - where every Monday we answer questions on the action from the weekend just gone, and sometimes far beyond.
T
The Truth: Early Summer Transfers to Watch
It's time for The Truth!
Sam and Dougie are back together for one final time to take a look at the first names off the rumour mill this summer which have seriously taken the world of football by storm in the opening week since the domestic season finished.
We take a look through a number of players to get things going, starting with the deal bringing Newcastle's Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, which
Champions League Final Preview: Arsenal vs PSG
Hello Rank Squad!
With the Champions League Final now just around the corner, we take a deep dive into the European football's showpiece event in Budapest, where Mikel Arteta's newly crowned Premier League Champions will take on the reigning European Kings, Luis Enrique's PSG. Starting with the challengers, we examine both teams and where they find themselves ahead of the big game in Istanbul.
A
Examining Managers on the Move: Pep, Alonso & Mourinho
Hello Rank Squad!
Dougie's in for Dean today and with all the managerial news over the last few days it felt like a very good time to maybe take some stock of some of the biggest stories surrounding some of the biggest jobs in world football changing hands.
We start with the reports that Pep Guardiola is on his way out at Manchester City after one of the most successful eras we have ever seen in
The Truth: What Has Been the Comeback of the Season?
It's time for The Truth!
Sam and Dougie are back together in the studio to take a look at those players who have had a bounceback in a big way this season, with their careers rejuvenated in one way or another.
We wander through six names from across some different leagues, although with a weird Aston Villa thread linking many of them, including two former Carrington graduates, one of whom remains
Ranking Routes to the World Cup Final
Hello Rank Squad!
We're under a month from the World Cup, and the big showpiece is starting to occupy serious mental space for so many of us. There are only a few squads released so far though, so full previews are going to have to wait a few more weeks; but we thought it was a good time to take a look through some of the favourites and the hosts, and plot out potential routes to the latter stage
The Truth: Shock Transfers Ahead of This Summer
It's time for The Truth!
Sam and Dougie are back together to take a look at some potential moves this summer which could come out of left field to shock the world this summer.
We wander through six names potentially on the move, or whose transfers would cause serious ripples in the market and the news over the course of the transfer window that's coming in. From the Premier League to Serie A, the
Champions League Takeaway: Arsenal & PSG Will Meet in Budapest
Hello Rank Squad!
You know we've got to the business end of the competition when there's only one Champions League Takeaway a week, so here's your big double serving after the second legs of the semi-finals, which delivered less goals, but no less drama than the first legs, and where PSG and Arsenal booked their tickets to Budapest for the showpiece.
In Part One, Dean runs us through the 1-1 draw
The Truth: Who Should Manage Chelsea & Manchester United Next?
It's time for The Truth!
Sam and Dougie are back together to take a look at two different clubs in very different situations, but who both do have decisions to make about who the man in the dugout is going to be at the start of the next Premier League season - Chelsea and Manchester United.
Firstly, there's a little chat about Jose Mourinho's rumoured return to Real Madrid, and why we all think th
Champions League Takeaway: Nine Goal Thriller in Paris & Penalty Controversy in Madrid
Hello Rank Squad!
You know we've got to the business end of the competition when there's only one Champions League Takeaway a week, so here's your big double serving after the first legs of the semi-finals, which brought us two very different games, but with no shortage of drama or entertainment in either.
In Part One we head to the Parc des Princes, where PSG outgunned Bayern 5-4 in an incredibl
The Truth: Who Should Be Manager of the Season?
It's time for The Truth!
Sam and Dougie are back together to take a look at the big debate that's beginning to rage on social media, that of who is going to be awarded Manager of the Season this year in the Premier League?
The boys walk through each of the candidates, ranking them on where they would have placed them in the rankings if they were given the power to decide - especially in a year wh
Ranking Narratives To Watch This Season
Hello Rank Squad!
With just a few games remaining in this season, there's still plenty to play for in so many different places - not just geographically, but at opposite ends of the spectrum as well. We take a look at the Premier League title race and relegation rumble, La Liga's incredibly chaotic survival scrap, some battles in the Bundesliga up and down the table, a potential history-shattering
The Truth: Why is Arsenal's Attack Faltering?
It's time for The Truth!
Sam and Dougie are back together in the studio to take a look at what's going on with Arsenal's creation and goalscoring numbers, which have nosedived in recent weeks. The Gunners are top of the table in the Premier League and into the final four of the Champions League, but a sense of unease has perpetuated amongst the fanbase - perhaps partly brought about by the fact th
Champions League Takeaway: Bayern Win Barnstormer & Arsenal Shut Out Sporting
Hello Rank Squad!
It's the second Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Wednesday's action from the Second Legs of the Quarter Finals - where Bayern Munich and Arsenal booked their spots in the final four, albeit in very different manners.
At the Allianz, Bayern came out the right side of a 4-3 thriller against Real Madrid, that ended up with the Bavarians prevailing 6-4 on aggre
Champions League Takeaway: Atleti See Off Barça Storm & Champions PSG Roll Onwards
Hello Rank Squad!
It's the first Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Tuesday's action from the Second Legs of the Quarter Finals - where both Atletico Madrid and PSG booked their spots in the semis, albeit in very different ways.
We start at the Metropolitano, where Barcelona won 2-1 on the night but Atletico held off the storm to qualify 3-2 on aggregate. In one of the great f
The Truth: Are Bayern Munich the Best Team in Europe?
It's time for The Truth!
Sam and Dougie are back together (although sadly not in the studio) to take a look at just how well things are going at Bayern Munich right now for Vincent Kompany (and company). After winning 2-1 at the Bernabeu to record their first away win against Real Madrid in 25 years, many people have them as the favourites to lift the Champions League title at the end of the seaso
Champions League Takeaway: PSG Pummel Liverpool & Atleti Stun Barça
Hello Rank Squad!
It's the first Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Wednesday's action from the First Legs of the Quarter Finals - where PSG and Atletico Madrid both won by a 2-0 scoreline, albeit in very different ways.
At the Parc des Princes, PSG took Liverpool to the cleaners for much of the 90 minutes - and will be somewhat disappointed that their lead that they will take
Champions League Takeaway: Bayern Finally Win at the Bernabeu & Arsenal's Smash and Grab on Sporting
Hello Rank Squad!
It's the first Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Tuesday's action from the First Legs of the Quarter Finals - where both away teams found a way to win, albeit in very different fashions. At the Bernabeu, Bayern won the European Clasico, triumphing at the Bernabeu for the first time in 25 years - it's been a while since Élber scored the only goal in May 2001!
The Truth: How Do You Replace These Outgoing Club Legends?
It's time for The Truth!
Sam and Dougie are back in the studio to take a look at a number of big stars and stalwarts who are departing their clubs this summer after long and/or storied periods of service, and how these clubs set about replacing them - either like for like, or in a different area of the pitch.
We take a look at the imminent (either confirmed or highly speculated) departures of Moh
Ranking the Completed World Cup Groups
Hello Rank Squad!
This international break gave us what we've been waiting for - the final names locked in for this summer's World Cup field. 48 nations have locked and loaded their spots in the biggest tournament in world football. Perhaps the biggest one missing though, once again, is Italy - with the Azzurri beaten on penalties by Bosnia & Herzegovina to make it three World Cups in a row that t
Ranking Players Under Pressure for the Rest of the Season
Hello Rank Squad!
As we head into the last international break of the season, we're about to hit crunch time for 2025/26 in all of Europe's biggest leagues. With the end of the season imminent, the pressure is ratcheted up on teams up and down the table to get their respective jobs done wherever they find themselves within their competition, but certain players will be feeling the heat more than
The Truth: Who Should Be Player of the Season?
It's time for The Truth!
Sam and Dougie are back in the studio to take a look at the big debate that's beginning to rage on social media, that of who is going to be awarded Player of the Season this year in the Premier League?
The boys walk through each of the candidates, ranking them on where they would have placed them in the rankings if they were given the keys to the castle - and helping Sam
Champions League Takeaway: Barça’s 7th Heaven, 50 Up for Harry and Mo, Spurs’ New Grit & Liverpool Spark Into Life
Hello Rank Squad!
It's the second Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Wednesday's action from the Second Legs of the Round of 16 - where the final four teams booked their spots in the Quarter Finals - Barcelona, Liverpool, Bayern Munich & Atletico Madrid. We start at the refurbished Camp Nou, where Barcelona survived a first half basketball game with Newcastle United, and then a
Champions League Takeaway: Madrid March On, Chelsea’s Bridge Too Far, Arsenal’s Flow Show & Sporting Smash the Fairytale
Hello Rank Squad!
It's the first Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Tuesday's action from the Second Legs of the Round of 16 - where our first four quarter finalists booked their spots in the last eight. We start at the Etihad, where despite a brave performance from 10-man Manchester City following Bernardo Silva's red card, Real Madrid proved too much to handle to see them off
The Truth: Who Are The Most Improved Players This Season?
It's time for The Truth!
Sam and Dougie are back in the studio for more of a positive episode - looking at some of the players who have made a major step forward in their individual careers over the course of the season.
We walk through six players - three each for the two boys - who have really moved onwards from 2024/25 to 2025/26, stepping upwards to either make huge individual contributions f
Champions League Takeaway: Valverde Conquers City, PSG's Late Show, Leverkusen Hold Arsenal & Bodø/Glimt's Fairytale Continues
Hello Rank Squad!
It's the second Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Wednesday's action from the First Legs of the Round of 16 - where chaos reigned again and goals flowed freely. We start at the Bernabeu, where Fede Valverde's hat-trick carried Real Madrid to a 3-0 win over Manchester City in by far their best performance under Alvaro Arbeloa, and where Los Blancos went back t
Champions League Takeaway: Atleti Spin Sorry Spurs, Newcastle Hit By Late Barça Sting, Liverpool's Sorry Istanbul Return & Brilliant Bayern Hit Atalanta For Six
Hello Rank Squad!
It's the first Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Tuesday's action from the First Legs of the Round of 16 - where there were a glut of goals, some games put to bed already, a couple of shocks, and another nadir from perhaps the saddest club in world football right now in Tottenham Hotspur.
We start with Spurs' visit to the Metropolitano to play Atletico Madr
The Truth: Teams with Seasons on the Brink
It's time for The Truth!
Sam and Dougie are back in the studio to look at three sides who had relatively lofty expectations for the season back in August, and who find themselves in far more difficult situations than they had first feared. We look at what this season has meant for Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Newcastle United; what the fallout might be if they miss their ambitions from the opening
Ranking the Best World Cup Narratives
Hello Rank Squad!
We thought that with less than 100 days to go now until the World Cup begins this summer, it was time to start to take a look at the tournament in earnest - and the storylines on the pitch that are set to dictate just how this tournament is remembered from a footballing perspective.
We split that into three parts. Firstly, we take a look at three of the favourites to win the tou
The Truth: Could Spurs Actually Get Relegated?
It's time for The Truth!
Sam and Dougie are back in the studio to look at what is going down at the bottom of the Premier League table, where one of the great names of English Football has been dragged into the scrap for survival - Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs are still in the best possible position they could be, but things feel like they're tailspinning in a way we haven't seen in a while. They coul
Champions League Takeaway: Vini Buries Benfica, Brave Juve Fall Short, Atalanta Turn It Round & PSG Eke Monaco...Just
Hello Rank Squad!
It's the second Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Wednesday's action from the Second Legs of the Playoff Round of the competitions - where the final four teams booked their spots in the Round of 16. It was an emotional night at the Bernabeu, where despite a somewhat lethargic performance from Real Madrid, it felt fitting that it was Vinicius Jr who dropped th
Champions League Takeaway: Bodø/Glimt Make History, Sørloth Shines for Simeone, Newcastle Finish the Job & Leverkusen Dull Olympiacos
Hello Rank Squad!
It's the first Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Tuesday's action from the Second Legs of the Playoff Round of the competitions - where our next four teams booked their spots in the Round of 16. It was a very special night for Bodø/Glimt at San Siro, with their incredible fairytale continuing on with a 2-1 win over Inter that made them the first Norwegian sid
The Truth: Which Clubs are the Best Scouts in Each Position?
It's time for The Truth!
Sam and Dougie are back in the studio to look at which clubs are best at scouting in certain positions - not just good at picking off the best in the world for huge fees, but opening up that pathway for the biggest guns in the football world.
We work through each position, leaning heavily on Sam's article for ESPN as he works us through his thought process for each select
Champions League Takeaway: Newcastle Go Supersonic, Brugge Fight Back, Brilliant Bodø/Glimt & Everything Else
Hello Rank Squad!It was nice to get back to thinking about the football itself on Wednesday, as the action on the pitch returned to centre stage. Dean and Jack are back together to discuss the four games that rounded off the first legs of the Playoff Round, before looking back at Tuesday's action. We start with Newcastle's 6-1 evisceration of Qarabag after their 2000 mile trip to Azerbaijan, and A
Champions League Takeaway: Sometimes the Football is Secondary
Hello gang,Sometimes the events in games are overshadowed by more insidious ones that dominate the headlines. This is one such occasion, and so it didn't feel particularly right to talk about the football after the scenes in the Benfica game, where Vinicius Jr walked off the pitch following comments made to him by Gianluca Prestianni. What was said, we don't fully know, because Prestianni pulled h
The Truth: Are Set Pieces Hurting Football's Entertainment?
It's time for The Truth!Sam and Dougie are back in the studio to look at the proliferation of set pieces across the entirety of the Premier League's clubs this season, and the impact that it is having on games and entertainment value. We discuss the direct nature of games this season, the rise of better organised defensive units and the fact that set pieces offer a tangible way to crack tight game
Ranking Underrated Premier League Players
Hello Rank Squad! The Rank God is back in the building (literally in this case) and today Sam joins Jack to take a look at some of the most underrated players in the Premier League. That's a difficult concept to define, so the main ranking takes a deep dive of three players who are often derided for something they regularly showcase or a mistake they made at one point, and examines why they should
The Truth: Answering Questions That Will Define This Season
It's time for The Truth!Sam and Dougie are back in town for 2026 and after an extended winter break that has included no little change in the footballing world, the boys are starting up again with an examination of the big questions that will define the rest of this season. There's discussion of the Premier League title race, the resurgence of Manchester United under Michael Carrick, Chelsea under
Ranking the January Transfer Window's Best & Weirdest Deals
Hello Rank Squad!The January Transfer Window has finally come to a close and whilst it wasn't the most explosive window in recent years, it still threw up its fair share of interesting and intriguing deals - for better and for worse. Today we break down some of our favourites, some of those we can't quite get our head round, and some of those that have slid under the radar, to try and work out the
Champions League Takeaway: Chaos in Spades in the League Finale
Hello Rank Squad!It's time for your final Champions League Takeaway of the League Stage for 2025/26, with the 36 team battle culminating in a blitz of chaos and craziness, eliminations and ecstasy, in an 18-game bonanza that delivered more drama than we thought possible. In Lisbon, Jose Mourinho downed his protege Alvaro Arbeloa and former club Real Madrid, with a last minute headed goal from the
Champions League Takeaway: Examining PL Dominance, Liverpool's New Shape, Chelsea Relief, More Barça Chaos & Wednesday's Action
Hello Rank Squad!It's the belated second Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at the games from Wednesday night, as well as taking a step back to see what the League Table means after seven matchdays - examining the dominance of the Premier League teams across the competition's higher ranks and also how that might play out in the knockout stages. It's Ranks!
And remember, if you’d
Champions League Takeaway: Arsenal Stay Perfect, Lightning Strikes City, Madrid Hit Six & Everything Else
Hello Rank Squad!It's the first Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Tuesday's action from the seventh Matchday of the League stage. We start at San Siro, where Arsenal made it seven wins from seven and guarantee themselves a top two spot in the competition with a very impressive 3-1 win over Inter; before heading to the Arctic Circle, where Manchester City fell to a shock 3-1 de
Ranking Potential Mid-Season Disasters
Hello Rank Squad!It's another DJ special for the final time before Jack returns from his extended wander around the footballing heartlands of South America, and today we're looking at some clubs who have it all to do in the second half of the season if they're to fulfil their pre-season expectations. Dean opens up the pod with a debate about managerial decisions, and whether some of the big guns h
Ranking January Transfer Deals (Plus Maresca & Amorim Out!)
Hello Rank Squad!With Jack away, it's time for a vintage Ranks combination back in full force as the Rank God Sam Tighe returns to the main episode to talk all things football with Dean Jones. In Part One, the boys discuss the fallout from the departures of Enzo Maresca and Ruben Amorim - and debate which side finishes higher in the table from here. In the main segment, Sam rolls back the years as
NYE Special: Hot Takes From 2025
Hello Rank Squad!It’s another year in the books here at Ranks FC and we round things off with a special episode involving the Rank Squad.We got our patrons to send in their hot takes for a New Year episode that will have you laughing … while also ruffling a few feathers along the way!One guy thinks Bukayo Saka sucks, there’s a debate about the level of Morgan Rogers, someone else thinks Villa have
The Truth: Six Important Deals in January Under the Microscope
It's time for The Truth!Today, in the final episode of 2025, the boys have picked out three players each who are either in demand or in need of a move ahead of the January Transfer Window - examining the reasons for them being where they are, and where some good landing spots might be for them to either kick on or rediscover their potential. This will be the last episode of the Truth for a couple
Christmas Presents for Some of Europe's Biggest Clubs
Hello Rank Squad! With the festive period in full swing, we've decided to let our hair down a little bit this week and have a bit of fun, riffing on the idea of what managers from some of the biggest clubs in the world would want beneath their Christmas Tree this year - whether that be new players, new contracts, or something a little bit more outlandish. We work through 16 clubs - a few from the
The Truth: Should Real Madrid Stick With Xabi Alonso?
It's time for The Truth!Today, the boys are discussing Real Madrid, given the events of the last couple of weeks. Xabi Alonso, who was brought in to replace Carlo Ancelotti in the summer - is reportedly still on the brink, despite a couple of positive results in the last few games. We walk exactly what the situation looks like - why there's pressure, what can be changed, who could do a better job
Ranking Potential Career-Defining Moves This January
Hello Rank Squad! We're back with another transfer ranking, as the window draws ever closer - and today Dean wanted to get stuck into the stories that could be seismic in the January window - not just in terms of picking up the headlines, but in terms of defining the careers of certain players and managers. We look through five Premier League stories in the main ranking - ranging from the major ou
The Truth: Which of the Non-Big Six Sides has the Best Champions League Shot?
It's time for The Truth!Today, the boys are discussing the teams outside of the traditional 'Big Six' who are in the conversation right now for finishing in the top five in the Premier League - and, we assume, picking up a Champions League spot whilst they do so? We walk through the fortunes of Aston Villa, Everton, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United and see where their strengths and we
Champions League Takeaway: Pep Piles Pressure on Xabi, Back-and-Forth Battles, Juve's System Switch, Arsenal Cruise in Bruges & Everything Else
Hello Rank Squad!It's the second Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Wednesday's action from the sixth Matchday of the League stage. We start at the Bernabeu, where Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso's woes deepened with a 2-1 defeat by Manchester City - could that be the end of the line for the beleaguered boss? We also check in on his former side, Bayer Leverkusen, who drew 2-2 with
Champions League Takeaway: Szobo Steps Up, Kounde Doubles Up, Spurs Mop Up, Chelsea Mess Up & Everything Else
Hello Rank Squad!It's the first Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Tuesday's action from the sixth Matchday of the League stage. We start at San Siro, where Liverpool, came out victorious over Inter Milan thanks to a controversial late Dominik Szoboszlai penalty to quieten the noise in what has been a hectic week for the Reds; before heading to Camp Nou, where Barcelona had to
The Truth: Who Are Arsenal's Biggest Rivals for the Title?
It's time for The Truth!Today the boys are discussing the Premier League title race - and if there's one about to explode into live. We're all in agreement that from the evidence in front of us this season, Arsenal are the favourites - some bookmakers even have them as short as evens to win the title for the first time since 2003/04. But is this a procession for Mikel Arteta's men or are there som
Ranking Transfer Stories to Watch in January
Hello Rank Squad!In the latest episode of Ranks FC we're digging your Transfer Guru back out of his hiatus to talk all things January Transfer Window, so Dean is on hand to walk you through the latest that he has heard on what might be possible in the winter spending window and which clubs could be tempted into splashing some cash. DJ splits his ranking into two parts - starting with what clubs in
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