Maresca leaves Chelsea, Arsenal vanquish Villa + Man United head to Leeds

The Totally Football Show with James Richardson

The Athletic

Sports, Soccer,

4.6 • 4.2K Ratings

🗓️ 2 January 2026

⏱️ 75 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

It’s the first pod of 2026 and Jimbo joins hands with Daniel Storey, Carl Anka and Adrian Clarke because the football doesn’t stop.

Chelsea gonna Chelsea as they part company with manager Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day. Liam Rosenior looks set to take charge. Can this model of five sporting directors really work? Simon Johnson tells us more.

The Blues make the trip to Manchester City on Saturday. Pep’s side slip 4 points behind Arsenal, who power past title rivals Aston Villa in impressive fashion.

Less impressive was Man United’s draw with Wolves. Will Ruben Amorim ever be under pressure? Maybe on Sunday when they reopen their bitter rivalry with in-form Leeds.

The transfer window is open. Where will Semenyo fit in at City? And why are Spurs letting Johnson go?

Maher Mezahi joins us from Morocco to look ahead to the last 16 of AFCON this weekend.

Plus Garner, boring boring Tottenham and the misery derby.

Produced by Charlie Jones

RUNNING ORDER:

• PART 1a: Chelsea replacing Maresca with Rosenior? (04.30)

• PART 1b: Sunderland 0-0 Man City (18.30)

• PART 2a: Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa (26.00)

• PART 2b: Man United 1-1 Wolves - next up Leeds (33.00)

• PART 3a: Semenyo and Johnson on the move (47.00)

• PART 3b: Brentford 0-0 Spurs (53.00)

• PART 3c: West Ham doing business (55.00)

• PART 3d: Elsewhere in the Premier League (57.00)

• PART 4: AFCON last 16 preview with Maher Mezahi (63.00)

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Transcript

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0:00.0	The Athletic FC.
0:09.7	Totally football show.
0:11.8	Today, Enzo the affair, as Moreska gets the Chelsea boot in New Year's Day, shock.
0:17.6	Who, why, when and whither, we're asking.
0:20.2	Plus, gunners saw four points clear at the top of the table after Black Cat's Hold Man City
0:25.6	and nobody wins at all on an epic Thursday.
0:28.8	We've got all the midweek news and a big preview too as we head into the second half of the season.
0:32.8	All that plus Afghan update and more in this totally football show.
0:45.6	Unbelievable. that plus afghan update and more in this totally football show oh jenry the second twenty twenty six new year same top totally line up
0:52.6	today with our commitment to quality we bring you daniel's story happy
0:57.1	new year daniel unto you james happy new year adrian clark thank you james yeah have a great have a great one
1:05.0	oh thank you so much stick around for a podcast why don't you adrian as well and happy new year
1:10.6	but same old bench the united car, as well. And happy new year, but same old bench to United.
1:12.0	Carl Anker.
1:13.6	Hi, James.
1:14.2	Happy New Year.
1:15.0	Happy New Year to you.
1:16.2	Later on, we'll be hearing from Maheemazahi as the Africa Cup of Nations heads into the knockout round.
1:22.5	And also, rather more immediately, Simon Johnson on Chelsea after that New Year's Day shock.
1:29.1	Chelsea, a party company with Enzo Moreska.
1:32.8	Woof.
1:33.8	Quite the January 1st news that, eh?
	...

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