Welcome to the debut of The Pain Index — Fried Footie’s new weekly series ranking the most miserable fanbases in world football. Every week, we update the standings based on pure, uncut suffering: form, expectation, humiliation, and emotional collapse.Joining the crew this week is Kiko Suárez, who works for LaLiga club Deportivo Alavés, bringing insider insight (and sympathy) from Spain’s football trenches. Together with Brad Morgan, Charles Abankwa, and Rodney Davis, we crown the inaugural Kings of Pain.It’s not just about losing — it’s about how you lose. And right now, a few clubs are redefining rock bottom.⏱️ Timecodes00:00 — Introducing The Pain Index: what it is and how we’ll track it00:40 — Real Sociedad: historic club, historic collapse — 19th in La Liga and sinking02:23 — Nottingham Forest: from top-four dreams to total meltdown05:36 — Aston Villa & Jadon Sancho: when football pain meets tabloid pain08:20 — Why Liverpool doesn’t quite make the cut (yet)10:15 — When culture and football collide — “pain off the pitch”12:45 — Final Rankings (Week 1): #1 Forest, #2 Villa, #3 Sociedad13:30 — Preview: Who could climb (or fall) next week?Did we miss someone?If you think a fanbase deserves a spot in the Pain Index, prove it.Who’s really living in football pain right now — the club no one’s talking about, the collapse hiding in plain sight?Call it out below. If you’re right, they’re getting exposed in next week’s rankings.#FriedFootie #PainIndex #PremierLeague #LaLiga #NottinghamForest #AstonVilla #RealSociedad #FootballDebate #SoccerPodcast

🔥 Fried Footie is back for the international break with a full Premier League heat check! Brad, Charles Abankwa, and Rodney Davis dive headfirst into chaos: Did Liverpool just have the worst transfer window in Premier League history? Is Alexander Isak still that guy, or just a Newcastle system merchant? Has Florian Wirtz already checked out? And what’s really going on with Mo Salah and that leaky back line?Then it’s on to Arsenal’s striker problem, Nottingham Forest’s meltdown, and a surprise Haaland apology from Brad as Man City look unstoppable again. The boys close with a USMNT temperature check (Tyler Adams, Chris Richards, and that Pulisic penalty…) before plotting a group trip to Mexico City for the 2026 World Cup.🧠 Episode Breakdown00:00 – Cold open & intros (Rúben Amorim fan club; “Hollywood Rodney”)00:49 – Rodney’s big agenda: Liverpool’s €400M disaster window01:17 – Back-four problems, Kanaté drama & Trent déjà vu02:18 – Could Wirtz really bolt for Bayern?03:42 – “Invincible” talk gets cooked04:20 – Isak vs “best striker alive” argument05:11 – How freedom at smaller clubs can mask flaws (Bruno, Cunha, Isak)07:21 – Chelsea assist: genius or fluke?11:00 – Mo Salah form worry + lack of depth behind him11:47 – Frimpong rant (fast, fun, but can’t defend)12:44 – Arsenal’s striker crisis: should Yorkerez be benched?14:37 – Chuck’s dream front three: Saka, Eze, Noni15:27 – Arteta’s lack of imagination and the financial trap17:19 – Eze’s brilliance vs Yorkerez’s first touch21:18 – Nottingham Forest chaos & Greek owner meltdown24:18 – Nuno’s tactics vs billionaire delusion26:06 – Man City reborn + Brad repents to Haaland27:27 – City’s defensive dominance returns30:03 – “Best CB duo in the world?” (Van de Ven & Romero)30:52 – USMNT check-in: Tyler Adams, Richards, Pulisic32:02 – World Cup Mexico City plans & shameless confessions33:05 – Wrap up & production talk

Rodney sets off fireworks on Fried Footie by calling Jude Bellingham overrated. Kiko fires back that he’s the heart of Real Madrid’s system, and Brad jumps in with the wildest twist of all: Cole Palmer belongs in the same conversation. Chaos. Pure chaos.Meanwhile, Vinícius Jr. is reportedly furious about being subbed out while Mbappé plays every 90. Is Xabi Alonso really playing “three-dimensional chess” by messing with Vini? Or is Madrid on the verge of an internal meltdown? Kiko, who works inside La Liga, gives his take — and it only makes things spicier.From there, the episode spirals into Ballon d’Or madness (how did Cole Palmer get top 10?!), Marcus Rashford’s Barcelona redemption arc, and Brad doubling down that Isak is better than Haaland. Add in Arsenal’s “terror ball,” Donnarumma saving City, Ronaldo’s retirement timeline, and Tottenham fans getting way too comfortable in top four, and you’ve got one of the most explosive Fried Footie episodes yet.

On this episode of Fried Footie, we’re joined by novelist, essayist, and football thinker Zito Madu (@zeets7) for an expansive conversation that blends Arsenal angst, Manchester United despair, and the contradictions of modern football.From his “literary fortress” in Brooklyn, Zito speaks candidly about Mikel Arteta’s preventative style of coaching — a philosophy that seeks safety over risk, structure over spontaneity. Is this risk-averse approach the reason Arsenal continue to hover just short of glory, forever shadowed by Liverpool’s relentlessness?We also dive into Eberechi Eze’s improbable call to Arsenal, the fever around 15-year-old Max Dowman, and the existential question of whether Odegaard truly embodies captaincy. Zito dissects United’s slide under Ruben Amorim with sharp wit, highlighting a system that dulls its stars rather than elevates them, before skewering the Premier League’s most tortured defenses with the imagery only a writer of his caliber can provide.From the absurd (hairlines reborn in Turkey, Ronaldo as the last true dictator of Europe) to the deeply serious (the failures of African football federations, the fragility of the 2026 World Cup in America), the conversation travels widely but always circles back to the heart of fandom: joy, misery, and the impossible hope that the next season will be different.Zito also shares a remarkable personal story — his years competing in Detroit’s local “World Cup,” where he found himself carrying an undermanned team deep into the semifinals, a microcosm of his belief that football is ultimately about shared struggle, laughter, and the poetry of the game.Whether you’re an Arsenal supporter bracing for heartbreak or a United fan drowning in déjà vu, this episode is a masterclass in how to analyze football with equal parts intellect and soul.Chapters:00:00 – Intro: Zito Madu joins Fried Footie00:26 – Arsenal’s curse: second place and Liverpool’s shadow01:18 – Arteta’s “preventative football” explained02:50 – Eze’s Arsenal call and the Beyoncé analogy05:40 – Max Dowman, Odegaard, and captaincy debates06:36 – Amorim’s United: a system gone wrong08:10 – Doku, Luke Shaw, and United’s fragile defense10:25 – Hairlines, Turkey, and Salah’s fade11:50 – Would Iraola take the United job?13:24 – Why dual-nationals avoid Nigeria and other federations19:48 – Messi at 38, Ronaldo the “dictator”24:23 – Product vs. person: why Messi moments endure27:34 – The risks of World Cup 2026 in the U.S.34:13 – Detroit’s “fake World Cup” and Zito’s unlikely run40:33 – Politics, people, and football as shared struggle42:47 – Wrap: Mexico City dreams & laughterGuest:Zito Madu — writer (GQ, The New Yorker, and more), author of The Minotaur at Kaie Lanza. IG: @zeets7Follow Us:IG/TikTok/YT: @friedfootie • Hosts: Brad Morgan, Charles Abankwa, Rodney Davis

Why did Rodrygo refuse a starring role elsewhere to stay at Real Madrid? Madrid creator Kiko Suárez (@imkikosuarez) breaks down the real reason: a “left wing or bench” mindset—choosing to fight Vini for that spot instead of being “the guy” at another club. We get into Xabi Alonso’s early blueprint, Trent vs Carvajal by opponent, Mbappé at the 9 (and where Gonzalo García fits), whether anyone is truly irreplaceable in Madrid’s “program,” and the La Liga vs Premier League spending gap. We also debate Liverpool with Isak, Haaland vs Isak as pure 9s, Spurs under Thomas Frank, and close with Messi vs Ronaldo (plus a Portugal 2026 wrinkle).Drop your take: Should Rodrygo have left to be a guaranteed star, or stay and fight for LW at Madrid?Chapters00:00 Kiko Suárez joins — today’s agenda00:34 Xabi Alonso’s early impact & one-goal-against start01:47 RB question: Trent vs Carvajal (opponent-specific)03:06 Would Alonso bench Trent at Anfield?03:19 Mbappé at #9, where Gonzalo García fits04:16 Two-forward solution: Vini + Mbappé; García off the bench05:18 “Is anyone irreplaceable?” — Vini as the franchise06:35 What Madrid Twitter is mad about now07:08 The Rodrygo saga: Arsenal links, benching, decision to stay08:21 Left wing or bench — why Rodrygo refused to leave09:24 Did he pass on being a star elsewhere?10:16 La Liga’s spending gap vs the Premier League flywheel11:54 Madrid vs Barça this season (Clásico split?)13:31 Clásico outlook & Champions League nerves14:53 Liverpool with Isak — favorites? Haaland vs Isak debate16:31 Low blocks, service, and striker value17:08 Player power in Europe vs NBA vibes18:10 Prem top-4 rapid fire (Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs)20:38 Why Spurs under Thomas Frank could cook24:14 LaLiga Business School shout & networking25:39 Lamine Yamal fear factor vs the Messi standard26:16 How Messi “taunted” Madrid; Cristiano as the nullifier27:06 Messi or Ronaldo — Portugal 2026 wrinkle28:33 Wrap & Kiko send-offGuestKiko Suárez — Madrid/La Liga analyst & rising creator. Follow him: IG & TikTok @imkikosuarezSubscribe for moreClips & full pods weekly. Collabs/booking: [email protected]

Rodney drops a bold new prediction: Tottenham will finish top 4 under Thomas Frank. He lays out why Spurs’ defense, midfield balance, and Thomas Frank’s tactical approach make them a real contender this season. Brad fires back with his latest obsession, insisting 15-year-old Max Dowman is already Arsenal’s most dangerous young talent — even putting him in the same breath as Lamine Yamal — while Chuck nearly loses it trying to shut the agenda down.The crew also break down Viktor Gyökeres’ underwhelming performance against Leeds, debating whether Arsenal fans are falling for a striker who only scores against weaker opposition. At Manchester United, the conversation shifts to Bruno Fernandes — should the club cash in if Saudi money comes calling, or is Ruben Amorim misusing him in midfield? That sparks a deeper look at Ruben’s tactics, why the current formation may be setting players up to fail, and whether he’s already under pressure just weeks into the season.Later, the pod turns to Nottingham Forest’s soap opera: Evangelos Marinakis, Edu, and Nuno Santo caught in a power struggle that could derail a team about to return to European competition for the first time in 25 years. Finally, the guys preview Arsenal vs Liverpool — with Saka’s hamstring injury raising huge questions, Eberechi Eze’s role under debate, and Brad once again lobbying for Dowman to start.From Spurs’ resurgence to Arsenal’s growing pains to United’s midfield crisis, this episode is packed with predictions, agendas, and plenty of actual football insight.⏱ Timecodes0:00 – Intro0:23 – Rodney declares Tottenham WILL finish top 40:46 – Is Thomas Frank the best manager in the Prem?1:27 – Spurs defense & Jed Spence hype2:33 – Do Spurs have enough squad depth?3:24 – Are Tottenham better than Man City right now?4:17 – Brad & Rodney bet $100 on Spurs vs City finish5:22 – Arsenal fans overhyping Viktor Gyökeres?6:10 – Gyökeres’ Leeds performance under the microscope7:33 – Should Max Dowman start for Arsenal already?8:50 – Dowman vs Lamine Yamal debate gets heated10:52 – Brad bookmarks the Dowman agenda forever11:20 – Chuck flips on Bruno & Ruben at Man United12:12 – Should United cash out on Bruno to Saudi?13:25 – Chuck vs Brad: Is Bruno washed or misused?16:07 – Ruben Amorim under pressure already?18:21 – Could Ruben be sacked by February?19:26 – Pressure at Manchester United vs Chelsea19:57 – Arsenal vs Liverpool preview & predictions21:16 – Can Arsenal exploit Liverpool’s set-piece weakness?22:55 – Where should Eze actually play for Arsenal?23:56 – Brad pushes Dowman for the starting XI vs Liverpool25:25 – Chuck & Rodney clown Brad’s Dowman obsession26:00 – Nottingham Forest chaos: Marinakis & Edu drama28:26 – Did Nuno Santo deserve more respect?30:51 – Should Arsenal fans be worried about Saka’s hamstring?33:14 – Arsenal bar plans & Tottenham still undefeated?34:20 – Rodney admits Ainge “sold him a used car” at Spurs35:26 – Outro: Fried Footie signs off

The Fried Footie crew sit down with one of the hottest new football content creators, Mordzs — a rising voice who grew up in the shadow of Old Trafford, with Manchester United in his blood. No one knows the tension of being a United fan better than him: the joy when things finally click, and the doubts that never go away.In this brutally honest but passionate conversation, Mordzs lays out exactly where United stand right now. He raves about Bryan Mbeumo, calling him the best attacker on the pitch against Arsenal, even ahead of Saka and Gyökeres. But he also admits the midfield setup is broken, the goalkeeper situation unsettled, and Rúben Amorim — while a good man-manager — has so far failed to show a convincing tactical identity on the field.One of the sharpest parts of the interview comes when Mordzs breaks down Bruno Fernandes’ new reality. Last season Bruno was untouchable, clearly the best player in the team. But with new signings and higher-quality attackers around him, he’s no longer the undisputed star — which puts more pressure on him to deliver consistently every week.The episode goes far beyond United too. Mordzs explains why he thinks Rashford’s career at Old Trafford is over but why Barcelona is the perfect fit, doubles down on his viral take that Pep Guardiola will never win another trophy at City, and dives into Spurs under Thomas Frank, Chelsea’s dark-horse potential, and frustrations around players turning down their African national teams.What makes it compelling is the balance: this isn’t blind hype or doom-posting. It’s a fan who loves his club, wants to see it succeed, but refuses to ignore the cracks. That mix of passion and honesty makes this one of the most powerful conversations yet on Fried Footie.👉 Follow Mordzs on Instagram: @mordzs⏱ Timecodes0:00 – Intro: Mordzs’ rise2:00 – Growing up in Old Trafford’s shadow & family United stories4:30 – Amorim at United: strong man-management but failing on the pitch8:00 – Arsenal vs United: possession, refereeing & goalkeeper debate11:45 – United’s struggles: finishing 15th & why doubts remain15:20 – Bryan Mbeumo hype: best attacker on the pitch, ahead of Saka18:50 – Midfield problems: Casemiro, Ugarte & broken two-man setup22:10 – Bruno Fernandes’ reality: no longer United’s best player25:40 – Striker talk: Gyökeres disappointment vs Sesko’s upside28:30 – Rashford at Barcelona: why it works better than United31:00 – Pep “cursed” take & what City’s future really looks like33:15 – Spurs under Thomas Frank & Chelsea’s dark-horse potential34:40 – Ghana national team: frustrations, hope & the future

The most electrifying American fútbol podcast is BACK with our 2025 Premier League & La Liga season preview!Chuck kicks things off by declaring Liverpool will NOT win the Premier League, Brad claps back saying they’ll take the title, and Rodney throws his full support behind Chelsea’s attack. But the wildest prediction? Brad swears Barcelona will DESTROY Real Madrid and wrap up La Liga by February — with Lamine Yamal’s crown celebration as the season’s opening statement.We go all in on title picks, player battles, and massive “prove me wrong” moments — from Gyökeres vs. Saka to whether Man City can survive without Rodri. This is pure, agenda-fueled chaos from start to finish.⏱ Timecodes0:00 – Intro: Agendas locked before the first ball is kicked0:56 – Liverpool lose to Palace on pens — Chuck says the “invincible” dream is dead3:08 – Van Dijk (34) & Salah (33) — can Liverpool rely on aging stars?5:34 – Rodney’s Chelsea title case: Cole Palmer to the 10, João Pedro & Delap up top8:53 – Chelsea’s backline crisis after Colwill ACL & Chalobah ankle injury13:42 – Brad’s La Liga bombshell: Barcelona will destroy Real Madrid and clinch by February — Yamal crown celebration hype16:56 – Why Brad is completely out on Real Madrid under Xabi Alonso20:36 – Rashford “redemption tour” — Brad vs. Chuck in a heated Man U debate21:43 – United’s new attack (Sesko, Cunha, Mbeumo) — top 5 or top 10 finish?24:49 – Marc Guehi transfer link — can United fix their CB crisis?27:43 – Sesko scouting report: bangers, tap-ins, & Bundesliga habits32:13 – Arsenal’s title-or-bust season — is Gyökeres the missing piece?36:26 – Why Arteta’s slow buildup might waste Gyökeres’ best skills38:04 – RD’s Saka agenda — the real key to Arsenal’s title hopes42:00 – Full Premier League top 4 predictions revealed43:09 – Man City without Rodri — Pep’s defensive midfielder nightmare45:40 – Ryan Cherki’s chemistry with Haaland vs. Pep’s defensive demands48:46 – Haaland’s September soft schedule — stat-padding incoming?50:38 – Rodney’s Tottenham pain: from top 4 predictions to mid-table reality53:20 – Spurs transfer rumors: Savinho, Eze, & the 70M question55:39 – Son Heung-min’s emotional trophy legacy vs. Kane’s Bundesliga medal57:05 – Is Cole Palmer “invited to the cookout”? 58:20 – Outro: leave a review & follow Fried Footie everywhere📲 Follow us: @FriedFootie on TikTok & Instagram

This week on Fried Footie, the mics are hot and the agendas are even hotter. Brad claims Marcus Rashford’s move to Barcelona isn’t just smart — it’s Ballon d'Or-level. He says Rashford will thrive on the left wing, link beautifully with Pedri and Yamal, and make Barça’s attack unstoppable. Charles and Rodney? They aren’t buying it — not when Raphina already owns that spot and Rashford’s last real form came in flashes at Aston Villa.Then Rodney drops a bombshell: Real Madrid should sell Vinicius Jr. after his $600K/week demand. Is he worth it? Or is it time to move on and build around Mbappé and Jude? Chuck gets excited about Man United’s summer transfers, while Brad bets Ruben Amorim won’t survive until February. And yes — someone compared Mbuemo to Mo Salah. That happened.The crew also breaks down Liverpool's panic move, whether Viktor Gyökeres makes any sense for Arsenal, and why Alexander Isak might be the best true No. 9 in world football right now.Timecodes:0:00 – Welcome back! The group chat was loud this week0:28 – Brad’s agenda begins: Rashford to Barça = season-changing move1:13 – Rodney and Chuck question where Rashford fits with Raphina still starting1:59 – Brad breaks down Raphina’s heat maps and why Rashford fits Barça's system3:13 – Brad goes all in: Rashford will be in the Ballon d’Or conversation4:03 – Chuck and Rodney remind everyone about the Aston Villa “false hope” run5:33 – Brad defends Rashford against “dusty old British haters”6:54 – Is this football analysis or just rage bait?7:22 – Are we really shifting Raphina out to accommodate Rashford?8:25 – Rodney’s agenda: Real Madrid should sell Vinicius Jr.9:50 – Vinny wants Mbappé wages — but is he still that guy?10:37 – Rodney argues Madrid should build around Mbappé + Bellingham12:15 – Who makes Madrid’s front 3: Mbappé, Vinny, Rodrygo, or Garcia?13:18 – Was this Vinny’s agent trying to spark a transfer?14:57 – Would Vinny thrive in the Premier League?16:03 – Chuck's turn: “The gods are back” — Man United optimism goes nuclear17:17 – Brad bets Ruben Amorim will be fired by February20:12 – Brad says Amorim refuses to adapt to his squad — system will fail21:46 – Where does Man U finish? Chuck: “#1” — Rodney: “Behind Spurs”22:25 – Brad says Mbuemo = Mo Salah (Yes. That happens.)23:44 – Liverpool panic buy: Hugo Ekitike for €90M25:19 – Is Ekitike just Darwin Núñez 2.0?26:30 – Is he replacing Luis Díaz? Upgrade or desperation?27:19 – Liverpool spent €545M — are they still allowed to cry poor?28:05 – Alexander Isak: best pure striker in the world right now?29:49 – Should Newcastle cash in or keep him for Champions League?32:13 – Viktor Gyökeres to Arsenal: perfect fit or Rasmus Højlund 2.0?35:01 – Brad breaks down why Gyökeres doesn’t fit Arteta’s system36:00 – Is he just “Portuguese Haaland... with less finishing”?37:00 – Charles argues Arsenal needs that physical striker profile38:21 – Brad: Gyökeres won’t succeed unless Arsenal changes their identity39:22 – Fantasy Premier League, FanDuel addiction, and 6AM bets40:32 – Brad wants a podcast-wide FPL league — Chuck’s not so sure41:17 – Wrap-up and final thoughts from the crew📲 Follow us @friedfootie for daily takes, breaking news, and wild football debates.💬 Comment your FPL team name or who wins the Rashford debate.🎧 Subscribe now — new episodes weekly!

This week on Fried Footie, things get WILD.We’re talking Lamine Yamal’s grown-woman situation, Trent getting cooked at Real Madrid, and why the Club World Cup is flopping HARD in America. Also, why Cole Palmer might actually be fraudwatch. The footie’s hot, the takes are hotter, and the jokes? Fried.⏰ Timestamps:00:00 – Trent to Madrid: Real Fans Already Sick?!00:29 – The Lamine Yamal & His 30-Year-Old “Girlfriend” Saga02:45 – Why Nobody in Europe Blinks at This04:33 – “Yamal Needs To Hang Out With More Black People” 😭06:30 – Trent Getting Targeted in His Real Madrid Debut08:00 – Moving Trent to Midfield… Already?10:22 – Real Madrid Fans Calling for Perez to Be Arrested11:58 – Madrid Ain’t a Superteam, No Matter the Hype13:55 – Rashford, Sancho, Antony OUT of United’s Future?16:00 – “Take Garnacho’s Wage And GO!”18:23 – Club World Cup = Empty Stadiums 24:00 – Why Nobody Cares About These Games27:00 – Brad’s Wild Story About FIFA Execs and Trump Tower28:47 – Nico Williams to Barça? Are They Unstoppable Now?32:00 – Can Nico + Yamal + Raphinha All Coexist?35:10 – Barcelona Without Lewandowski?36:05 – Cole Palmer: 26 Games, 0 Non-Penalty Goals38:49 – Cole Palmer = Halliburton of the Premier League?41:00 – “Saka Would NEVER” – Why Cole Isn’t Him42:13 – Body-Shaming in 2025: Still Fair Game?43:12 – Ryan Cherki: Fat Starboy or Future Baller?44:12 – Man City: Pep’s Weird Summer Strategy46:00 – Cole Palmer’s Price Tag? Rodney Has Thoughts47:00 – Shoutout Jakarta 🇮🇩 + Sign-Off📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on post notifications. We drop every week!Follow us on IG & TikTok → @friedfootie