Episode 3320: Balancing Grealish and Pep, Summer Soccer Scuppered
Jack Grealish has gone to Everton on loan. We hope he finds meaning there. We try to understand why it never worked for him, with reference to some of the things Guardiola said in a surprisingly candid recent interview with GQ.

Dion Fanning joins us to talk about the Community Shield, which saw the team with no new signings look more organised and dangerous than the team with €300 million worth.

We also discuss the recent news that the FAI’s dream of a fully-aligned football calendar has effectively been abandoned, after the FAI confirmed that leagues who want to play winter football can apply for exemptions.

©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
What does the failure of the unified plan mean? And what are the likely implications for the FAI?
Click the player at the top of the page to play the show. Monday’s shows are free to all. To listen to our programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series’ ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and Stakeknife.
We talk about the killing by Israeli forces of former Palestine international player Suleiman Al-Obeid, and how sport should respond to the atrocities taking place in Gaza.https://t.co/I17Ofk2Lv5 pic.twitter.com/Kc0AjLFWBT
— Second Captains (@SecondCaptains) August 8, 2025
;