Episode 156 - How Carrick Used Pep’s Tactics Against Him

Patrick and Ted break down a packed football week, starting with the latest transfer rumours and what they tell us about the plans taking shape at some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs. We discuss Chelsea’s openness to selling Enzo Fernandez, Manchester United’s interest in Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson, whether Ruben Neves could be a realistic midfield option, and what Manchester City’s January activity says about their looming rebuild.

Then we move onto the weekend’s standout result as Manchester United beat Manchester City. What went wrong for Pep Guardiola, how Michael Carrick set his team up, and whether this performance signals a genuine shift at Old Trafford.

Next, we examine Arsenal’s draw at Nottingham Forest and the growing conversation around their attack. Are these real warning signs or simply the reality of competing in a deeper and more physically demanding Premier League.

We also turn to Tottenham and Thomas Frank. Why his Spurs project has struggled to take shape, how much of that is down to personnel, and whether the club is already nearing another reset.

Plus a look at the AFCON final and why this year’s tournament has once again delivered drama.

Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheTransferFlow

Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.thetransferflow.com/subscribe

Join Variance Betting: https://www.thetransferflow.com/upgrade

Follow us on our Socials:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1WTKOt7byrELQcGRSzu1Q

X: https://x.com/TheTransferFlow

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetransferflow.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetransferflow/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transferflowpodcast

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

00:50 - In-person TTF event!

07:24 - Ruben Neves linked to Manchester United

09:29 - United linked with 2 other midfielders already

10:00 - Wharton and Anderson linked

11:36 - City and Real Madrid possibilities?

12:53 - Chelsea willing to sell Enzo?

15:31 - Sell Enzo and buy other players to flip?

16:20 - This transfer window has already been fun

17:48 - Moves to keep an eye on - Alex Toth and Romano Schmid

18:31 - Manchester United beat City, 2-0

20:14 - Rico Lewis was shocking + Is this on Pep?

21:27 - City’s poor press helps hide United’s flaw

24:04 - Carrick used the idea Pep has spent his entire career using

25:26 - Amad Diallo is so dangerous + Carrick thoughts

27:49 - Arsenal draw 0-0 to Forest

28:30 - Was this game actually toothless from Arsenal?

30:25 - Arsenal’s reliance on set pieces

32:52 - There are NO gimmies in the Premier League

34:15 - Our expectations are wrong

37:00 - Pep’s football has not adapted to this season

37:24 - This Arsenal matches up like Jose’s Chelsea teams

42:13 - Do head coaches really matter?

44:24 - The Premier League is way up on the U-curve

44:57 - Thomas Frank in trouble

47:53 - Spurs did not help him this summer

51:39 - Spurs are digging out of mistakes

54:15 - The AFCON final

56:30 - Senegal leave the pitch + Brahim Diaz

#manchesterunited #manchestercity #premierleague #pepguardiola #arsenal #chelsea #football #epl #transfernews #transfers #epltransfers #tottenham #michaelcarrick