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
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
The Truth: Who are the Next Superstar Midfielders Emerging?
It's time for The Truth!Today the boys are discussing the emerging generation of superstar midfielders. We've had the £100m transfers in recent seasons of Declan Rice, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, as well as a number of other big money moves - so which players are in the conversation to become the next stars in the middle of the park?We discuss some of the main contenders, starting with Nott
Champions League Takeaway: Gunners Fire Clear, Mbappe’s Piraeus Poker, Liverpool's Woes Continue, Vitinha Downs Spurs & Everything Else
Hello Rank Squad!It's the second Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Wednesday's action from the fifth Matchday of the League stage. We start at the Emirates, where Arsenal downed Bayern Munich 3-1 in the battle of teams previously perfect; before heading to Anfield, where Liverpool's woes continued with a harrowing 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven that continues to leave Arne Slot w
Champions League Takeaway: Estevão Wows, Barça Buckle, Pep's Changes Backfire, Snow Angel Yıldız & Everything Else
Hello Rank Squad!It's the first Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Tuesday's action from the fifth Matchday of the League stage. We start at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea put the hammer down on brittle Barcelona, inspired by their own wonderkid in the form of Estevão, who continues to drop awe-inspiring performances on the big stage; before heading to Manchester, where Pep mad
The Truth: Who are the Luckiest & Unluckiest Teams in the Premier League?
It's time for The Truth!Today the boys are looking at luck and the effect it has on any given Premier League season, off the back of an article that Sam has written about how you can quantify it over the course of a number of games. We examine the structure of how you try to manifest this in a discussion, and if this is something that you can have a sensible chat about in the grander scheme of foo
Ranking World Cup Favourites for 2026
Hello Rank Squad! With the majority of the field now locked in for next summer's World Cup, we thought it was a good time to take stock of where the favourites are in terms of potentially winning this tournament. We work through the bookmakers' favourites and give our own ranking on where they currently stand, and why. We also take a quick look at some of the lesser known names that you need to be
The Truth: Who is Getting Relegated in the Premier League?
It's time for The Truth!Today the boys are looking at the battle for survival in the Premier League, and trying their best to sort through the noise in the relegation battle. We work through all the teams at the bottom of the table - Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Ham United, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Burnley and Fulham, to try and work out who is in the most immediate danger of slipping dow
Ranking Breakout Stars in Europe This Season
Hello Rank Squad! It's the November International Break, so we're taking a look back at the season so far and picking out some of the players who have broken out for their teams so far across the course of the campaign. We start by selecting three from the Premier League who have made this season their own thus far, before heading over to Europe. There's five players from across the continent, tak
The Truth: Just How Good Are Real Madrid Right Now?
It's time for The Truth!Sam is back from his holidays and he's back in the studio with Dougie to discuss Real Madrid and a campaign so far under Xabi Alonso that has looked pretty seamless on paper - they're top of La Liga, going strong in the Champions League and boast a Kylian Mbappé in more lethal form than ever. But under the surface, there's a lingering feeling, exacerbated by their loss to L
Champions League Takeaway: A Barmy Brugge-Barça Battle, Chelsea Slip on Qarabag, Foden Shines for City & Everything Else
Hello Rank Squad!It's the second Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Wednesday's action from the fourth Matchday of the League stage. We start in Bruges with a truly nutty game of football between Club Brugge and Barcelona which ended in a 3-3 that barely does justice to the amount of chances; before heading to Azerbaijan where a heavily Chelsea were punished for their wholesale
Champions League Takeaway: Liverpool's Real Revival, Bayern in Business, Spurs Find Solace, The Arsenal Wall & Everything Else
Hello Rank Squad!It's the first Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Tuesday's action from the fourth Matchday of the League stage. We start at Anfield, where Liverpool put together their most complete performance of the season so far, fending off Real Madrid 1-0 in front of an electric atmosphere on Merseyside; before heading to Paris, where Bayern laid out their credentials as
The Truth: How High Can Sunderland Fly This Season?
It's time for The Truth!Sam's away this week, so Jack steps up from the producer's chair to join Dougie in the studio and they're discussing Sunderland's unbelievable opening to this Premier League campaign. After winning the Playoffs back in May, the Black Cats made their fairytale return to the top table, but even the most optimistic of fans wouldn't have predicted them sitting in a Champions Le
Ranking Surprise Package Teams Across Europe This Season
Hello Rank Squad!We're now getting to the point of the season where we can start to take league tables a bit more seriously, and in doing so, we can see that there are a few teams who are a little (or a lot) higher in the table than they might have expected before a ball was kicked. So, today, we're exploring six of those teams across Europe's top five leagues - why expectations might have been lo
Champions League Takeaway: Chelsea's Young Guns Fire, Liverpool Bite Back, Spurs Struggle & Real Madrid Eke It
Hello Rank Squad!It's the second Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Wednesday's action from the third Matchday of the League stage. We start at a very rainy Stamford Bridge where a very young Chelsea side made light work of 10-man Ajax, continuing their recent run of very impressive results; and then on to Frankfurt, where Liverpool bounced back from their recent troubles with
Champions League Takeaway: Big Wins for Arsenal, PSG, PSV, BVB, Barça & Inter in Goalfest
Hello Rank Squad!It's the first Champions League Takeaway of the week, looking back at Tuesday's action from the third Matchday of the League stage. We start at the Emirates where Arsenal found a magical 13-minute spell to put Atletico Madrid to the sword, beating them 4-0 with a couple of goals for Viktor Gyökeres and a couple of goals from set pieces for good measure; before heading to Leverkuse
The Truth: Has Thomas Frank Really Fixed Spurs?
It's time for The Truth!Sam and Dougie are back in the studio to discuss Tottenham Hotspur, and the discourse around the idea that in just a small spell of games, Thomas Frank has fixed all the problems that saw last season become one of the most disappointing domestic campaigns in the club's modern history. Spurs have won four, drawn two and lost just a single Premier League game so far, seeing t
Sacking or Saving Europe's Under-Fire Managers (v5)
Hello Rank Squad! Ranks is 5 years old this week, so we wanted to start by saying Thank You to all of you who listen regularly and who have stuck with us on this incredible journey since we went independent in 2020. As a little celebration, we wanted to bring back one of our most-loved episodes from the staples and revisit Sacking or Saving Under-Fire Managers for a FIFTH time. It's tough out ther
The Truth: What's Going Wrong at Liverpool?
It's time for The Truth!Sam and Dougie are back in the studio to discuss Liverpool - which seems to be the topic on everybody's lips right now. After a perfect start to the season from a results perspective, three losses in a week have opened up a discourse which was previously being kept at bay - whether Liverpool's imbalances since a summer overhaul have actually made them weaker, even just in t
Ranking Ten Big Transfers to Watch in 2026
Hello Rank Squad!With the international break upon us, we wanted to throw things forward a little bit, and dip into Dean's little black book of contacts to discuss some potential moves that could end up being the big stories of next year - either in January or in the summer transfer window. We start by examining the situation around Harry Kane at Bayern Munich and whether his release clause will t
The Truth: Just How Good is Harry Kane?
It's time for The Truth!Sam and Dougie are back in the studio to discuss Harry Kane, and the phenomenal form he has started this season in - continuing on from two exceptional seasons since joining Bayern Munich in 2023. Things start off with just some general appreciation of just how good the England captain has been in Bavaria, before we try to fit him into the pantheon of great strikers of the
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