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
Crises at United and Spurs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:14
Another weekend, another loss, another tumble further into the bottom half of the table for Tottenham and United. We talk about the problem of what a club should do when things are bad and yet there isn't a lot to be don…
So Many Man City Transfers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:18
Manchester City are adding Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis in the same window and maybe also Andrea Cambiaso. Will these signings fix the crisis at Man City? Support the show
Analytics and the Premier League Table at Midseason [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:39
Usually when things look a little funky in the Premier League table, you can count on an analytics podcast to tell you it's mostly variance. But this season, the wide open race for top four or five really reflects a pile…
Barcelona Lose in Court (Does It Matter?) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:12
A new financial fair play / registration crisis at Barcelona as a judge backs La Liga's determination that they cannot register Dani Olmo under La Liga FFP, setting him up for free agency. But Barcelona's financial situa…
Man City Keep Struggling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:25
It is still the most interesting statistical and tactical story in the Premier League. In world football probably. Pep Guardiola is trying some new tweaks on his system and his team keeps dropping points. We talk through…
Manager Sackings in England [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:41
Leicester City fired Steve Cooper a few weeks ago, and this weekend the two managers in 19th and 20th place in the Premier League, Gary O'Neil of Wolves and Russell Martin of Southampton, both got the sack. We take a loo…
Meet the New Boss at Manchester United [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:40
Jim Ratcliffe sacked his Sporting Director Dan Ashworth after a pretty short term. It is not a hopeful moment for the new football system at United. We discuss what we know about how their football operations work and th…
Serie A Title Race / Top Four Race [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:52
It's a very exciting season in Italy, with multiple teams in touching distance of first place and no obvious favorite yet in December. We walk through Napoli, Atalanta, Inter, Fiorentina, Juventus, Lazio and Milan. Suppo…
Man City in Crisis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:47
Five losses in a row, three in the league. And it's not really a five-match thing, the losses are somewhat fluky but performances have been down badly at City ever since Rodri got injured. We break down what's (relativel…
England and Tuchel with Grace Robertson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:57
We are joined by official Double Pivot English Correspondent Grace Robertson to discuss the new England manager Thomas Tuchel (who is not actually managing England yet) and what to expect from this team over the coming W…