Xabi Alonso to Chelsea

Xabi Alonso to Chelsea

Author: Mike Goodman and Michael Caley May 19, 2026 Duration: 44:24
Chelsea will reportedly hire Xabi Alonso as their new manager for next season. We discuss how Chelsea got to this point, what they appear to have promised to Xabi and how this may or may not fit within Chelsea's current sports and business model. We also discuss Xabi's impressive managerial record and how his tactical approach might fit Chelsea's talent. Support the show

The Double Pivot: Soccer analysis, analytics, and commentary is where hosts Mike Goodman and Michael Caley break down the beautiful game with a blend of sharp tactical observation and a deep respect for the numbers. This isn't just a recap of who won; it's a conversation about how and why. Each episode digs into the mechanisms of modern soccer, from the strategic choices that define a manager's philosophy to the underlying data that reveals what the naked eye might miss. You'll hear thoughtful discussions on team shape, pressing triggers, and the value of different chance creation methods, all grounded in the hosts' analytical expertise. Goodman and Caley have a knack for making complex concepts accessible, whether they're examining a top-tier Premier League clash or highlighting intriguing patterns in a less-heralded league. Their commentary avoids easy narratives, instead offering a more nuanced and evidence-informed perspective on the week's biggest stories and most compelling matches. For anyone who wants to move beyond the standard punditry and understand the deeper layers of strategy and performance, this podcast provides a consistently engaging and insightful listen. Tune in for a smarter take on the global game.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Double Pivot: Soccer analysis, analytics, and commentary
Podcast Episodes
Meat Wall Apotheosis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:24
Has the moment finally come? With West Ham's disallowed goal in the closing seconds against Arsenal, the football discourse has returned to the question of the new corner kick tactic, which this podcast has somehow manag…
Double Pivot Mousa Mania 2026 (Teaser) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:01
There is too much to podcast on and we are giving our subscribers a few bonus podcasts. Talking top four in Germany and Italy, recapping the Bayern - PSG second leg, and of course, all the Real Madrid drama. Support the…
Did Manchester United Improve Under Michael Carrick, Really? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:37
Manchester United have had an undoubtedly successful season, qualifying for the Champions League with underlying numbers perfectly in line with that position. But their results shifted markedly when they sacked Ruben Amo…
PSG and Bayern Play a Good Football Match [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:05
That was great. We discuss what made the game so exciting, why it was not a game with enormous expected goals totals, and what that tells us about the tactical approach and quality of play. Plus a Vincent Kompany apology…
Manchester City vs Arsenal Match Recap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:16
Somehow, here in 2026, a major title race clash in the Premier League lived up to the billing. We discuss how Arsenal's aggressive defensive approach created an open and exciting match for a long stretch, how City's peri…
Say Something Challenge Completed (including Arsenal) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:20
There are just a few Premier League teams left in the Say Something Challenge and one of them is Arsenal. Why they're obviously the title favorites and why, seriously asking why are they playing football like this? Plus…
The Origins of the Set Piece Revolution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:53
Caley wrote a newsletter about the origins of the set piece revolution, whether it's all Mikel Arteta's fault, how teams actually score off throw-ins, and why set pieces didn't take over the game earlier. This pod talks…
Poker, Analytics, and the Optimized Online World with Sam Greenwood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:40
We are joined by Sam Greenwood, high-stakes poker player and the writer and publisher of the Punt of the Day newsletter (to which Mike Goodman also contributes), to talk about poker and some questions we've been thinking…
Say Something Challenge, Premier League, Part I [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:32
We take up a challenge from the discord to say something about even the least interesting teams. This podcast series will take us through the international break and begins with Fulham, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Evert…
Analytics, Linguistics and LLMs with Leif Weatherby [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:04
We are joined by Leif Weatherby, author of Language Machines: Cultural AI and the End of Remainder Humanism, to talk about artificial intelligence: what these new technologies do, but more than that how the fact of their…