The Rest Is Football

Alan Shearer goes head-to-head with Micah Richards in our latest quiz challenge, putting their football knowledge to the test with a round on World Cup Golden Boot winners. Will Alan’s wealth of experience on the biggest stage give him the edge, or can Micah snatch another victory and get back to winning ways. Beyond the quiz, the conversation turns to the international break. Are Thomas Tuchel’s side becoming too dependent on Harry Kane for goals? Do the last two matches raise any real concerns, or are they just part of the bigger picture as the tournament approaches? And with squad selection looming, which players have done enough to secure their place, and who may have played themselves out of contention? The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Was Frank Lampard the greatest goalscoring midfielder in Premier League history? Is he Chelsea’s greatest-ever player? And have we ever seen a spine quite like Cech, Terry, Lampard and Drogba? Gary, Alan and Micah revisit the remarkable career of Frank Lampard, from a doubted teenager at West Ham to the driving force behind one of the Premier League’s most dominant sides, and ultimately Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer. The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Could there really be a world where Jude Bellingham doesn’t start for England at the World Cup this summer? With Thomas Tuchel favouring Morgan Rogers in the number 10 role so far, is Bellingham facing a place on the bench? There are also big questions up front. Who steps in as backup to Harry Kane? Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke were both given opportunities against Uruguay but failed to impress, while Ollie Watkins hasn’t quite hit top form this season. Does this point to a wider decline in traditional number nines in the English game? Plus, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards pick their World Cup favourites and assess where England really stand among the contenders. The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football. This episode is brought to you by Disney+, where you can watch every match of the UEFA Women’s Champions League live. Visit Disney+ at https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/home Is your door in the draw? Sign up at www.postcodelottery.co.uk People’s Postcode Lottery manage lotteries on behalf of good causes, 18 plus, conditions apply, play responsibly, not available in Northern Ireland. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What was it really like playing under Jürgen Klopp during that era-defining rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester City? What kind of manager was he behind the scenes? How difficult was it to keep his place at Manchester City when big-money signings in his position arrived summer after summer? What were Alan Shearer and Micah Richards really like as teammates? Gary is joined by the most capped Premier League player ever, James Milner. From becoming the league’s youngest-ever goalscorer at the time to still playing in the Premier League in his 40s, he shares memories of playing alongside David Silva at Manchester City, his special bond with close friend Diogo Jota, and the mentality that kept him at the elite level for decades. The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. Sign up and use the referral code FOOTBALL and you could win a 1990 England shirt signed by the hosts of The Rest Is Football. Visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football for terms and conditions. Is your door in the draw? Sign up at www.postcodelottery.co.uk People’s Postcode Lottery manage lotteries on behalf of good causes, 18 plus, conditions apply, play responsibly, not available in Northern Ireland. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Would Kevin De Bruyne make the greatest ever Premier League XI? Was he Pep Guardiola’s most influential player at Manchester City? And despite all the praise, could he still be… underrated? Gary Alan and Micah dive into the Premier League career of one of the game’s all time great creators. From being cast aside by Chelsea to returning as the heartbeat of a dominant Manchester City side, they explore how De Bruyne redefined the role of a modern midfielder, and where he truly ranks among the Premier League greats. The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. Sign up and use the referral code FOOTBALL and you could win a 1990 England shirt signed by the hosts of The Rest Is Football. Visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football for terms and conditions. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trent Alexander-Arnold was dropped for the Madrid derby after reportedly being late for training, but he came off the bench to assist Vinicius Jr's winner and go some way to again proving his doubters wrong just a few days after he wasn't named in Thomas Tuchel's 35-man England squad. Gary and Alex react to a brilliant game in the Bernabeu as Vini Jr's brace and another goal from Fede Valverde secured a crucial 3-2 victory. Watch out for another golazo from Atletico's Nahuel Molina. Barcelona were below their best in a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano, relying on a string of saves from goalkeeper Joan Garcia to hold onto the three points and remain top of La Liga. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manchester City lay down a statement, dominating Arsenal to lift the Carabao Cup. With momentum now on their side, can the Citizens hunt down Arsenal and also snatch the Premier League title? Mikel Arteta also finds himself under the spotlight. Should he have trusted his first-choice goalkeeper? Did his team selection, particularly at left back, cost Arsenal? And is this side too cautious when it matters most? Gary, Alan and Micah also break down the weekend’s Premier League fixtures, including Sunderland’s big win in the Tyne-Wear derby. Plus, they dive into Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad and debate the big decision to leave out Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. Sign up and use the referral code FOOTBALL and you could win a 1990 England shirt signed by the hosts of The Rest Is Football. Visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football for terms and conditions. When you've done enough, Uber Eats. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices