Totally Extra: Cantona - the first Premier League superstar
The Totally Football Show with James Richardson
The Athletic
4.5 • 4.4K Ratings
🗓️ 9 May 2026
⏱️ 69 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Jimbo is joined by Daniel Storey, Tom Williams, Duncan Alexander and very special guest Paul Ince, to open up the Totally Almanac on one of the most iconic premier league players ever, Eric Cantona.
Born in Marseille, the enigmatic Frenchman was villainized in his home country after various misdemeanours, but thanks to Gérard Houllier was given a second chance in England.
He rocked up for a trial at Sheffield Wednesday, eventually joining Leeds, and before long Alex Ferguson couldn't believe his luck when he was offered the chance to sign the prodigious talent.
And the rest is history - Man Utd's new no. 7 was the final piece in Ferguson's puzzle, helping them win multiple trophies, including 4 league titles. His flair and his unique approach to the game changed the Premier League forever, and his infamous 'Kung Fu kick' only added to King Eric's cult status.
But how would he fare today? And what would he make of football in 2026?
Plus Duncan's Cantona themed quiz question.
Produced by Charlie Jones and Jesse Howard.
RUNNING ORDER:
• PART 1: Why King Eric? (0.40)
• PART 1b: Duncan’s Cantona quiz question (06.15)
• PART 2: The Totally Extra Almanac (07.40)
• PART 3a: Cantona’s troublesome French beginnings (13.10)
• PART 3b: Cantona crosses the channel (19.40)
• PART 4a: Fergie’s Cantona gamble pays off (22.30)
• PART 4b: Paul Ince on Cantona’s arrival (25.30)
• PART 4c: The infamous ‘Kung Fu kick’ (34.40)
• PART 4d: Paul Ince’s first hand account (42.05)
• PART 5a: What came next (45.20)
• PART 5b: The cult return (51.00)
• PART 5c: How would he fare today? (58.10)
• PART 5d: The answer to Duncan’s quiz question (1.06.20)
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | The Athletic FC |
| 0:04.0 | Totally Extra. |
| 0:10.0 | Today, King Eric, the kicks, the flicks, the class, the kung fu, the collar, the quotes, and the questions. |
| 0:17.0 | He was the Premier League's first superstar, and for some, maybe still the greatest. |
| 0:22.0 | But was he just a good player in a simpler league? |
| 0:24.8 | How would he fare now? |
| 0:26.1 | And what did he mean about those sardines? |
| 0:29.1 | We're going in two-footed on a Premier League legend in this totally extra. |
| 0:43.0 | Unbelievable. Unbelievable. extra. It's Saturday the 9th of May, although not yet for us as we record this listener, |
| 0:47.1 | but hey, clustered like sea birds behind a fishing vessel. |
| 0:51.7 | Am I sounding clever yet? |
| 0:53.2 | Here in the studio, we have Duncan Alexander of the Athletic. |
| 0:56.8 | Hello, James. Nice to see you, Duncan. |
| 0:59.5 | Canal Plus is token Welshman, Tom Williams. |
| 1:02.4 | Hello, James. Borodagh, Bonjour. |
| 1:04.9 | Author of the definitive tome about French people playing football, possibly also the only one. |
| 1:11.3 | Vavavum. |
| 1:12.8 | Yeah, it's just a less than crowded marketplace. |
| 1:16.6 | Nice. |
| 1:17.6 | No one else is going to try now, are they? |
| 1:19.6 | Hopefully not. |
| 1:20.7 | And also with us, the author of 250 Days, Cantonaz Kung Fu and the Making of Manu, |
... |
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