The Beautiful Game Podcast

The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 150 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW SUPER AGENT SKY ANDREW - We sat down with super agent Sky Andrew for an exclusive interview to discuss the biggest stories of the #transfer window, the growing influence of #football #agents, how agents really get paid, and what goes on behind the scenes of football's biggest deals.

0:00 Intro

0:30 Guest intro

2:00 How Sky went into being an agent/ working with Sol Campbell

3:38 Alexander Isak transfer saga

8:05 Sol Campbell vitriol and hatred/ racism

16:22 Isak situation/ agent mindset

23:46 How should agents advise players

25:30 How do agents get paid

29:03 Agents structuring a contract

31:12 Structuring contracts for young players/too much too soon

36:16 Bruno Guimaraes transfer story

38:53 Loyalty bonuses/ signing on fees

39:52 Deals Sky is working on

41:55 Biggest misconception about being an agent

42:56 Biggest success stories

48:10 Cole Palmer/ Morgan Rogers situation

50:52 PSR influencing transfers

53:14 Broken market

58:12 Generative AI in football

59:29 Losing £400,000 in commission for a deal

1:02:29 Player perceptions when brokering a deal

1:05:53 Managing relationships whilst brokering deals

1:06:53 Agents representing themselves

1:10:29 Clubs making players run down contracts

1:14:49 Understanding psyche of a player

1:15:52 Journalists influence on football transfers

1:20:49 Sky's phone being hacked

1:23:11 Deals to keep an eye on

1:24:30 Marcus Rashford

1:25:40 FIFA Legacy agent title

1:28:52 Recommend a guest.

1:30:15 Outro

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The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 149 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW NIGEL JAMES - We sat down with Nigel James to discuss his incredible career in football. We also spoke about #BlueCo's ownership of #Chelsea, Reece #James and Lauren James, Xabi #Alonso as Chelsea's new manager, the club's Premier League title chances, and much more.

00:00 Intro

1:10: Competition giveaway

1:50: Guest introduction

3:19: Overview of Nigel James Elite Coaching School success

8:47: Why is it called a coaching school instead of an academy

16:18: Criteria for kids joining his coaching school

17:32: Dealing with disgruntled parents

20:48: Dealing with abuse from opposition

24:06: The one thing he would have changed in Reece and Lauren’s development

28:45: Regret of not having his eldest son playing football

31:37: Assessing Lauren’s 25/26 season

33:04: Deep dive into Lauren’s personality

34:27: Can Lauren turn into a leader within the dressing room

37:20: Interest in Lauren before she signed a new deal

40:37: How hard is it to let go of control as a parent

47:10: Lauren’s relationship with coaches

48:11: Alexia Putellas signing for London City Lionesses

49:14: Lauren potentially winning the Ballon d’Or

51:01: Assessing Reece’s 25/26 season

57:49: Xabi Alonso appointment

59:23: Thoughts on BlueCo

1:02:08: John Stones being mentioned to him

1:04:40: Chelsea’s targets

1:06:06: Liam Rosenior

1:06:52: Thoughts on the World Cup

1:11:24: Rio Ngumoha and Max Dowman

1:13:14: Thoughts on England vs Mexico

1:14:13: Thoughts on Jude Bellingham

1:15:50: Will Reece be fit for Norway?

1:16:39: Donald Trump involvement

1:19:09: Final thoughts and outro

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The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 148 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW MICHAEL CAULFIELD- We discussed the career of Michael #Caulfield with the man himself. We discussed his career in sports, working with Gareth Southgate, the work he has done with Brentford, the early days of his career + much more.

00:00 Intro

1:12 Guest intro

1:40 What do you do?

2:57 Falling in love with the beautiful game.

9:07 Pivoting into Football from a horse racing background

15:10 First client in football

18:00 Working with Gareth Southgate

23:38 What does Gareth need to do to take the next step

28:48 How does it feel hearing Southgate criticism?

31:08 Current role as Brentford first team psychologist

37:59 Do you seek out conversation or do you wait for conversation to come to you?

43:35 How do you improve the mindset of a player?

50:21 Ivan Toney situation

57:39 What needs to change for players to get more comfortable?

1:13:30 Ollie Watkins

1:17:44 Relationship with Thomas Frank

1:24:59 Michael’s relationship with mental health

1:25:55 Has this generation gone soft in terms of mental health

1:29:02 Gen Z mentality

1:32:41 Outro

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The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 147 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BRODIE COUSINS - We discussed the career of Brodie #Cousins with the man himself. We discussed working with footballers, starting his business in elite performance, preventing #injury + much more.

0:00 Intro

0:32 Guest Intro

1:55 Who is Brodie Cousins?

2:36 Brodie's early days

4:08 What steps did you take to build your strength and conditioning business

11:35 Were your family supportive?

13:38 What do you offer to athletes

16:29 What drills do you perform?

17:00 How important is it to create a good working environment for your clients?

19:04 How do you manage your schedule

21:44 Talk to us about the summer training camp in Dubai?

25:20 What advice would you give to someone that wants to get into your space?

27:34 Do you like at anyone else in your space?

29:38 What are the perks of your job?

30:18 Talk to us about the yotubers you work with?

33:50 How is it training iShowSpeed

37:30 How is it working with Steven Bartlett?

39:42 What has been your biggest moment

45:08 Have you spoken to clubs?

48:38 What is the end goal?

53:00 Life outside of work

54:03 Closing remarks

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The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 146 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW TODD #CANTWELL - We discussed the career of Todd Cantwell with the man himself. We discussed playing for Norwich, playing in the Premier league, the end of #Norwich career, relationship with ownership, joining #Rangers and working under Mick Beale + much more

0:00 Intro

2:02 Guest intro

2:20 How is Todd doing?

2:58 How did Todd’s journey start?

6:27 When did you feel first team was a realistic possibility?

8:35 Arsenal interest at a young age

10:20 Dealing with injuries in the academy

11:38 Making first team debut against Chelsea

17:00 Mindset of playing in the premier league

18:40 playing number 10

19:50 Being the man to replace Maddison at Norwich

20:56 Memories of beating Manchester City

22:10 Losing 10 in a row/ poor mentality

26:40 Interest in Todd after relegation

29:20 Dominating championship season/ promotion

31:00 More rumours about Todd’s future

32:00 Bayern Munich move falling through 

33:10 Overwhelming nature of attracting interest as a young player

35:25 Strange relationship dynamic with Stuart Webber

36:52 Leeds move falling through

37:51 Did relationship with Norwich become toxic?

41:11 What was happening behind the scenes?

47:20 Getting subbed of against Aston Villa

49:03 How did you get through the situation mentally?

52:36 Did you escalate issues to Delia Smith?

53:55 Norwich situation going past the point of return

55:55 How did Rangers move come about?

58:32 Gigantic size of Rangers football club

1:00:00 Working with Michael Beale

1:04:19 Dressing room after Michael Beale left Rangers

1:06:06 Challenges of gelling as a new team with 9 signings

1:09:00 Playing Celtic and PSV in the same week

1:12:00 Relationship with Rangers fans

1:13:54 Chris Sutton drama

1:16:07 Rangers vs Celtic rivalry

1:18:21 Is Celtic dominance mental?

1:22:38 Rangers dressing room

1:24:35 Plenty of football to play

1:25:11 Plan to be back after international break

1:26:06 Frank Lampard rumours 

1:26:42 Life outside of football

1:31:53 Investments outside of football

1:32:36 Social media abuse

1:36:00 Have managers tried to tame you? 

1:38:03 Drug testing in football

1:41:51 What does Todd want the rest of his career to look like at the end?

1:43:39 Guest recommendations

1:44:57 Outro.

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The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 145 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW DEMETRI MITCHELL - We discussed the career of Demetri #Mitchell with the man himself. We discussed growing up in the #ManchesterUnited Academy, playing for #Exeter. the highlights of career, building his clothing line + much more.

0:00 Intro

1:00 Guest Intro

2:02 Dem opens up on Jamaica

4:31 Who are you?

5:44 Take us back to the beginning?

8:10 Talk to us about growing up in a council estate?

9:34 When did you realise you had something for football?

11:03 How was the journey through the Manchester United System?

14:00 Why did the club give you a new deal?

14:51 Talk to us about the Manchester United academy

16:27 What is the cliff?

17:27 How was your first team debut?

19:46 How was it under Jose Mourinho

23:08 How was Paul Pogba?

25:41 What was the conversation with your dad after making your debut at MUFC?

26:24 What is the convo with the club after making your debut?

29:36 Is there anything you would have done differently at United and what happened after your United career?

38:10 How was it playing for Hearts?

40:50 Talk to us about Blackpool?

48:43 How is it when you're on the bench and not starting games?

50:17 Hibbs chat

56:23 How was your relationship with Lee Johnson

1:00:00 Talk to us about the mental battle of recovering from injuries

1:03:20 How was it joining Exeter?

1:10:50 Do GxA stats get you to a higher level

1:12:21 Would you say you're feeling fitter than ever and what's next for you?

1:14:05 How are the finances in the lower leagues?

1:19:30 Life outside of football

1:22:30 How is the drug testing in football?

1:24:02 Talk to us about Benirclo

1:33:20 Manchester United chat

1:36:00 Closing remarks and outro

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The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 144 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW SÉBASTIEN BASSONG - We discussed the career of #sébastienbassong the man himself. We discussed life in retirement, #harrykane, going through mental challenges during his career, being banished by Norwich #daniellevy , #andreonana, #lukamodric + much more.

0:00 Into

2:06 Guest intro

3:06 Who is Sébastien Bassong?

9:40 When did Seb realise his career was coming to an end?

12:30 Being banished by Norwich

20:21 Altercations in the dressing room

22:46 Tag team fight with Andy Carroll

26:41 Mental challenges after being banished by Norwich

29:20 Seeking therapy

32:00 Being Frozen out at Tottenham

35:30 Liverpool being his lucky charm

40:47 What happened in Seb’s first therapy session

44:00 Childhood Trauma

48:25 Going AWOL to leave Newcastle

53:40 Sébastien’s experience of being involved in a transfer saga

56:26 Does Harry Kane need to leave Tottenham?

58:09 Is Harry Kane the best striker in the world?

1:00:49 Is Daniel Levy good for Tottenham?

1:06:12 Luka Modric brilliance

1:09:46 What does Seb do now?

1:18:23 What does Cameroon mean to you?

1:20:43 Andre Onana

1:24:44 One thing Seb would like to change in football

1:31:00 Guest recommendations

1:32:00 Outro

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The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 143 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW KEITH ASARE - We discussed the career of Keith #Asare with the man himself. We discussed, Keith's #football career, recovering from multiple #injuries, Playing with Brennan Johnson, struggling to get over short lived football career, his career in business + much more.

0:00 Intro

3:04 Guest intro

3:34 Who is Keith Asare

4:46 How Keith got into football

8:09 When did you realise you have talent

9:45 Southend FA youth cup game

11:30 Feeling the love at Southend

12:38 Premier League clubs showing interest at 13

13:20 Why did Keith choose Nottingham Forest

15:49 Family reaction to signing for Nottingham Forest

16:30 Youth team at Nottingham Forest

18:04 First big injury

20:39 Road to recovery

22:24 Interest from Dortmund

23:25 Signing first pro contract

25:33 What was holding Keith back from progressing

27:29 Effects of injury

30:10 Becoming a monster

32:50 Progress on injury/ Rehab

37:30 Coming back from Injury then getting injured again

39:43 Speaking to club psychiatrist

40:50 Zoom chat with the Doctor

43:15 Moving back into Mums house

46:00 Moving to Spain to 4 months

48:15 Going to Club Brugge

50:52 Going through Depression

53:13 How having to retire has changed Keith

54:53 Are you happy

58:13 Keith’s Concierge business

1:04:48 Life outside of business

1:15:34 Guest recommendation

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The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 142 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW OLA AINA - We discussed the career of Ola #Aina with the man himself. We discussed, growing up on ends, playing for #Chelsea, his time with #Torino, coming back to England + much more.

0:00 Intro

03:09 Guest intro

04:34 Growing up in Bermondsey

07:10 Where did football journey begin

09:37 Becoming a Chelsea fan

10:27 Getting scouted

12:01 Choosing between Chelsea and Tottenham academy

14:15 Tottenham messing his family around

16:00 Signing for Chelsea

18:00 Chelsea golden youth team

24:39 Wanting to leave before Conte came to the club

26:50 Being in around the first team

28:37 Eden Hazard

31:27 Jose Mourinho man management

34:50 Antonio Conte man management

37:45 Conte’s 3 at the back system

38:45 Going on loan to Hull

41:40 Sarri not having Ola

43:11 Going to Torino

47:25 Playing in Italy

48:42 Fans coming to training ground

52:03 Playing against Cristiano Ronaldo

53:40 Finding out Torino has a buy clause

56:25 2022/23 season at Torino

58:13 Loan spell at Fulham

1:00:25 Racism in Italy

1:02:38 Current situation with Ola

1:03:29 West Ham bidding during the season

1:08:53 Would Ola consider Saudi

1:09:48 Are Chelsea academy prospects underrated

1:13:10 Tammy and Tomori lack of England opportunities

1:16:10 Ola’s international journey

1:19:24 Why isn’t it clicking for Nigeria?

1:25:22 Victor Osimhen

1:27:00 African success in World Cup

1:28:10 Life outside of football

01:36:55 Guest recommendation

01:38:50 Outro

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The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 141 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW NATHAN BUTLER-OYEDEJI - We discussed the career of Nathan #Butler-Oyedeji with the man himself. We discussed; his journey to signing his first pro contract at #Arsenal, recovering from several injuries, going on loan, plans for the future, #Saliba rise to the top + much

more

Timestamps

0:00 Intro

1:18 Guest intro

3:33 Who are you?

4:50 When do you realise that you have something?

6:11 Why was your dad against playing for a Sunday league team?

6:44 How did you join Arsenal?

7:55 How long did it take to get signed by Arsenal?

9:26 Talk to us about going through the ranks?

10:38 What's your advice to youngsters that are going through a rough patch?

11:58 What happens at age 12-13?

13:33 How long were you injured for

14:00 What did you learn about yourself when you were injured?

14:50 What happens after injury?

16:46 When did you move into digs?

18:06 Take us through the process of signing a scholar?

19:04 What role does Per play in the academy?

20:04 What are you friends on the ends saying after signing your scholar?

22:07 What is your situation at 17-18

23:04 How did you feel when you signed your pro contract at Arsenal

25:19 What did you do when you signed that first pro contract?

26:22 What is the plan after signing your pro?

27:50 NBO on Saliba being too good for U21

28:19 Talk to us about last season?

28:54 Talk to us about going on loan to Accrington Stanley and your experience

34:00 What is the convo with Arsenal after your loan?

34:40 Talk to us about going to Dubai with the first team and what players took you under their wing

37:16 Talk to us about Myles Lewis Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri

38:19 What's the plan for next season?

41:00 Have you spoken to Arsenal about going out on loan and how is pre season going?

41:47 How you feeling physically after several injuries?

42:14 How has you dialogue with Arteta been?

43:00 How do you assess Arsenal's transfer window so far

45:00 Life outside of football

49:26 Guest recommendation

50:15 Closing remarks

50:38 Outro

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