The Double Pivot: Soccer analysis, analytics, and commentary Mike Goodman and Michael Caley

The double-correspondent triple-podcast blowout draft commences. We are joined by Salacious Gossip Correspondent Joel Wertheimer (@wertwhile) and Financial Shenanigans Correspondent Skanda Amarnath (@irvingswisher) to draft the very worst contracts in the Premier League. Support the Show.

Barcelona, Juventus, Bayern and Chelsea appear to have lined up their managers. It's not exactly what we expected. Some takes on how the managerial market has changed in the last few years as well as our skepticism about these choices for most of the clubs involved. Support the Show.

We talk briefly about the Champions League final and then take a question from the discord about fullback / wingback transfers which segues into a longer discussion about trends in buildup structure and pressing in top level football and the diverse expectations of wide defenders in these systems. Support the Show.

A mailbag question on what the team of the season is, excluding players on the richest clubs, prompts a discussion of what "non big six" should mean anyhow, and then we get moving on talking about some great striker seasons. Support the Show.

We are joined by Grace Robertson of www.graceonfootball.com to discuss Liverpool, who have chosen a manager. What do we know about Arne Slot, what's intriguing and what's worrying, and how do we think Liverpool are approaching the current transition?Support the Show.

We've been doing our Champions League match breakdowns for subscribers, and this week it's the free podcast. Pretty good match!Support the Show.