Football journalist, Sky Sports
Went to interview Miron Muslic in Gelsenkirchen and easy to see why the ex-Plymouth boss has taken Schalke to the top of the table. Lot of charisma.
“Football is a vampire.”
“Pressure is a privilege.”
“We don’t want possession.”
Really liked doing this one.
Miron Muslic interview: Schalke coach on taking a sleeping giant top, not wanting possession and why football is a vampire!
Miron Muslic says football is a vampire draining his energy but there is no sign of that with his Schalke side top of the table. Adam Bate visits Gelsenkirchen for this exclusive interview with the fo...
Thank you to Matt Taylor for sharing this story. It is a difficult one but Matt and his family want it out there in Elsie’s memory.
Always worth a reminder too that people are dealing with much more important things than football.
Matt Taylor interview: Enduring family tragedy alongside the struggle of trying to keep my job as Bristol Rovers manager
Matt Taylor shares the untold painful story of his final weeks as Bristol Rovers manager and the personal challenge of coming out the other side after suffering a family tragedy. Content trigger warni...
Premier League column.
▫️ Jacob Murphy being genuinely class for Newcastle
▫️ How Andre brings balance to the Wolves midfield
▫️ Bit on Carlos Baleba being brilliant for Brighton
Jacob Murphy's Newcastle form, Andre key for Wolves and Carlos Baleba's Brighton brilliance in The Debrief
In The Debrief, Adam Bate looks at what makes Jacob Murphy such an important player for Newcastle United, Andres growing role as the heartbeat of Wolves revival and Carlos Baleba showing he can score ...
Loved speaking to the brilliant Bo Henriksen, one of the managers of the season, about transforming Mainz and taking them to the brink of Europe.
Loads of lessons in here about the importance of creating a culture, including one he learned when playing with Sean Flynn at Kidderminster Harriers.
Bo Henriksen interview: Mainz coach who is out to surpass Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel is a Kidderminster Harriers legend
Meet Bo Henriksen, the former Kidderminster striker who saved Mainz and now has them dreaming of Champions League football; in this exclusive interview with Sky Sports, he talks to Adam Bate about mem...
Alisson Becker is the master of the one-against-one but how does he do it? A look at the composure, timing and technique behind being the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.
Alisson Becker: Why Liverpool goalkeeper is the best in the world in one-against-one situations analysed and explained
With insight from coaches, colleagues, clips and data, Adam Bate examines what exactly makes Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker so good in those one-against-one situations; watch Leicester vs Liverpo...
Walsall are enduring one of the bigger collapses in Football League history. What is going on?
Their striker Jamille Matt not only went to school next to the training ground but has a degree in counselling psychology so felt like the man to ask…
Walsall: What's gone wrong? Jamille Matt on going from 12 points clear to third but League Two promotion still possible
In this exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Walsall striker Jamille Matt defends manager Mat Sadler and opens up about how confidence has taken a knock as the former runaway leaders in League Two hav...
Kylian Mbappe joined the current European champions but maybe he left the next European champions. Is he the problem? On that, ahead of a big night.
Is Kylian Mbappe the problem? Holders Real Madrid face exit as old club PSG become Champions League favourites
While Kylian Mbappes former club Paris Saint-Germain have progressed to the Champions League semi-final and are now favourites to lift the trophy for the first time, his new club Real Madrid are on th...
Can Thomas Müller help Bayern turn it around against Inter and keep the dream of winning the Champions League final in Munich alive?
If he is to do so it will be amid some frustration over the handling of his departure. Asked Jürgen Klinsmann and Roman Weidenfeller for their take on it all.
Thomas Muller's Bayern Munich exit: Can German legend help win Champions League amid acrimony over departure?
With Thomas Muller leaving Bayern Munich in the summer, he is eyeing the perfect finale but is said to be unhappy with the manner of his exit. Adam Bate speaks to Muller’s World Cup winning teammate a...
How Raphinha became the favourite for the Ballon d’Or.
Long read on the Barcelona forward, speaking to many of his former coaches from Brazil and Europe, including the story of how he signed for Leeds.
Raphinha to win the Ballon d'Or? Barcelona's ex-Leeds forward is finally flourishing and favourite for the big prize
Former Leeds United forward Raphinha has been a revelation at Barcelona this season and is now the favourite to win the Ballon dOr. Adam Bate speaks to his former coaches to find out more about his jo...
Birmingham City are back in the Championship — and with momentum.
Chris Davies has done it by sticking to his style, the owners by learning harsh lessons and transforming the fan experience for Blues supporters.
Birmingham City promoted from League One under Chris Davies: Championship rebirth just the start for these owners
Following their promotion back to the Championship, we take a look at the rebirth of Birmingham City with them on track to break records in League One. Just the start? If you are thinking about slowin...
Column this week:
🔴 Robertson's worrying decline at Liverpool
🔥 Tielemans' passing under pressure at Villa
🔶 Strand Larsen's hold-up play for Wolves
Andy Robertson's Liverpool decline, Youri Tielemans' passing and Jorgen Strand Larsen's form in The Debrief
In The Debrief, Adam Bate looks at Andy Robertsons latest struggles even as Liverpool close in on the Premier League title, Youri Tielemans passing under pressure for Aston Villa and Jorgen Strand Lar...
Interview with Nuno Espírito Santo on the tactical flexibility that has helped sustain Nottingham Forest’s Champions League push.
Always good on those possession stats too: “It is absurd to think that you control the game because you control the ball."
Nuno Espirito Santo interview: Nottingham Forest boss on tactical changes and dominating without the ball
In this exclusive interview, Nuno Espirito Santo discusses the tactical shifts that have helped sustain their success this season; watch Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest live on Saturday Night Footbal...
Went to Ilkeston Town to a trial day for unsigned young players identified on an app who suddenly found themselves being scouted by Premier League clubs including Man City, Arsenal and Newcastle. Here’s how it went.
Tonsser United's Final 4 event showcases the best unsigned talent - and Premier League clubs are watching
Tonsser Uniteds Final 4 event saw 64 players representing their cities in front of professional clubs and scouts from the Premier League and beyond. Adam Bate was there to find out how an app is helpi...
Column.
⬇️ Man City's defending in transition
🔴 Forest are master front-runners
🔶 How Agbadou improved Wolves
Man City cannot defend on transition, Forest still the best front-runners and Emmanuel Agbadou's Wolves impact
Pep Guardiolas Man City have become the Premier Leagues worst defence in transition, why Nottingham Forest are the best front-runners and how Emmanuel Agbadou has helped save Wolves season all feature...
Interview with Marco Asensio on his impressive start at Aston Villa. Lovely player to watch and seems like he is already relishing the responsibility of bringing his experience to the team.
▫️ Taking on a leadership role
▫️ Why he wants to be a No 10
▫️ Embracing Emery’s demands
Marco Asensio interview: Aston Villa playmaker on adding experience, playing as a No 10 and why Unai Emery is so good
In this exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Aston Villa’s Marco Asensio, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, discusses his No 10 role, the appeal of working with Unai Emery and what a player who has wo...
Column for this week.
⬇️ De Bruyne's decline
💪 Munoz’s wing-back role
🔶 Bellegarde transformed
Kevin De Bruyne's decline at Man City, Daniel Munoz's wing-back role and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde transformed
Examining why Kevin De Bruyne looked a shadow of his former self in Manchester Citys 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool; plus Daniel Munozs contribution for Crystal Palace and Jean-Ricner Bellegardes surpri...
Interview with Aston Villa’s Andrés García discussing his mistake against Liverpool and the challenge of adjusting to the Premier League after signing from Spain’s second tier. Also had the chance to speak to Unai Emery and Marco Asensio about him for this piece.
Andres Garcia interview: Aston Villa's new full-back on his Liverpool mistake, the big step up and improving under Unai Emery
In this exclusive interview, Andres Garcia discusses his mistake against Liverpool and how the Villa crowd helped lift him. The full-back signed in January is facing a steep learning curve but is winn...
Inspiring to talk to someone who is at the start of their football journey and obviously loving the experience so really enjoyed this with 17-year-old Nelly Las on making her WSL breakthrough.
Nelly Las interview: Leicester City Women's 17-year-old star on causing chaos in the WSL after whirlwind rise
In this exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Leicester City Womens 17-year-old star Nelly Las discusses a whirlwind few months that have seen her make her Womens Super League debut and represent Engla...
Column on the following…
🔴 Quansah’s intervention
🔥 Delap’s all-round game
🔵 Alcaraz's quick impact
Jarell Quansah's block for Liverpool against Wolves, Liam Delap's Ipswich form, Carlos Alcaraz's Everton impact
In The Debrief, Adam Bate looks at Jarell Quansahs big moment for Liverpool in their 2-1 win over Wolves at Anfield, before analysing Liam Delaps all-round forward game for Ipswich and Carlos Alcarazs...
Man City gave up 20 shots against Real Madrid. Only time conceded more in the Champions League under Pep Guardiola was three weeks ago in Paris.
Too easy to get at now. The pressing has been in decline for years and some look physically shot these days. On how and why it costs them games late on.
Man City's collapse against Real Madrid is a problem that has ruined their season but why is it happening? A side in decline
Man City conceded two late goals to lose 3-2 to Real Madrid and leave their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread. Why is it happening? Adam Bate was at the Etihad Stadium to see a vulnerable tea...
Interview with Donyell Malen. Neither of us realised he would be excluded from the Champions League squad at the time. Still think he can have an impact at Aston Villa but do wonder what his answers would be now…
Donyell Malen interview: Aston Villa’s flexible new forward aiming to unlock full potential under Unai Emery
In this exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Netherlands international Donyell Malen speaks to Adam Bate about the reasons for his move from Borussia Dortmund to Aston Villa and why he believes Unai E...
On Man City’s new midfield signing Nico González with help from his old coach at Barcelona.
“He can be a very good number 8 but an excellent number 6. How he moves the ball so quickly. That, for his size, is not usual.”
Nico Gonzalez signing analysed: Man City midfielder compared to Rodri and Sergio Busquets brings different qualities too
In conversation with Nico Gonzalezs former coach at Barcelona, Adam Bate examines what the £50m signing from Porto can bring to Pep Guardiolas Manchester City. Long compared to Sergio Busquets, now it...
Nottingham Forest rank bottom for distance covered and they have also used the fewest players and have the fewest injuries. Maybe there is a connection? On the other advantages of Nuno Espirito Santo’s style of play.
Nuno Espirito Santo's Nottingham Forest have covered the least distance in the Premier League – but here's why it helps
Nottingham Forest are third in the Premier League table and one of the curious aspects of their surprise form is that they rank bottom for distance covered. Adam Bate looks at why their style of play ...
Aston Villa links with Marcus Rashford and Joao Felix are interesting in light of Monchi line about Unai Emery getting the best from players who have maybe lost their way.
Asked Emery about that in this interview, in which he also talks about looking for a different type of forward to Jhon Duran.
Unai Emery interview: Jhon Duran exit means Aston Villa out to reshape attack with emphasis on 'recovering talents'
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Unai Emery explains why he is looking for a different type of forward to replace Jhon Duran at Aston Villa; Watch Wolves vs Aston Villa live on Sky Sports Pr...
Nice to interview Rodrigo Gomes about his first season as a Premier League player. Has a great attitude and will go on to have a very good career. Wolves would love a few more like him.
Rodrigo Gomes interview: Keeping Wolves in Premier League? Enthusiastic youngster epitomises attitude needed
In this exclusive interview, Rodrigo Gomes explains why he is convinced Wolves will stay up as well talking tattoos and his girlfriend following him home and away; Watch Wolves vs Aston Villa live on ...
Had a chat about Manchester United target Patrick Dorgu with the guys at FC Nordsjaelland.
▫️ ‘Journey is a little different’
▫️ ‘Highest physical numbers’
▫️ ‘Very flexible, modern player’
▫️ ‘Will play at the highest level’
Patrick Dorgu's Man Utd transfer? The making of the Lecce and Denmark left-back at FC Nordsjaelland explained
In conversation with FC Nordsjaelland technical director Alexander Riget, Adam Bate examines the progression of Patrick Dorgu, the Lecce and Denmark player who has emerged as a target for Ruben Amorim...
Column on the weekend.
▫️ Robert Sanchez
▫️ Bilal El Khannouss
▫️ Dean Huijsen
Robert Sanchez's Chelsea errors, Bilal El Khannouss' importance for Leicester and why Dean Huijsen is so good
In The Debrief: Robert Sanchezs errors for Chelsea analysed and why the expected-goals data does not tell the true picture; Bilal El Khannouss shows his value to Ruud van Nistelrooy; Dean Huijsen alre...
Asked Borussia Dortmund chief Carsten Cramer earlier this season why they seem to have decided it’s so important to appoint people who know the club when Ottmar Hitzfeld and Jürgen Klopp didn’t.
“Let’s see. Hopefully, I am right. And if not, I have to say you asked the right question." On that…
Borussia Dortmund sack Nuri Sahin: What went wrong? Do Bundesliga giants really need 'a Dortmund guy'?
Borussia Dortmund are in the bottom half of the Bundesliga and have now sacked Nuri Sahin. What went wrong? The German giants prefer people who know the club but is understanding the culture really so...
Interview with the manager of the season so far, Walsall’s Mat Sadler. Twelve points clear at the top of the table, what’s interesting is that they are doing it with young players — and (for a lot of the time) without the ball.
Mat Sadler interview: Walsall head coach on League Two leaders' record run with a young team and low possession stats
In this exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Walsall head coach Mat Sadler explains how his team became League Twos runaway leaders with the youngest average age in the division while ranking 23rd for...
Column is on…
▫️ How Liverpool’s attacking depth separates them from the rest.
▫️ Speaking to Marco Silva about the switch that saw off Leicester.
▫️ Asking Fabian Hürzeler to explain what makes Yasin Ayari so good.
Liverpool's attacking depth, Harry Wilson's switch for Fulham and Yasin Ayari's Brighton role in The Debrief
Liverpools rare attacking depth and why it could make the difference for Arne Slot in the title race, the curious reason for Harry Wilsons successful positional switch for Fulham and Yasin Ayaris midf...
How Omar Marmoush turned himself into an elite forward and why Manchester City want him.
▫️’Enormous drive to score goals’
▫️’Flexible in attacking positions’
▫️’Fits many styles of play’
▫️’Finds solutions in tight spaces’
▫️’Dynamic in transitional play’
▫️’Improved defensive work’
Omar Marmoush to Man City? Eintracht Frankfurt forward has developed into an elite and - importantly - flexible forward
With Omar Marmoush linked with a move to Manchester City in the January transfer window, Adam Bate examines the Eintracht Frankfurt forwards evolution and why it makes him so attractive to Pep Guardio...
On Pisa and the prospect of returning to Serie A for the first time in 34 years thanks to Pippo Inzaghi.
Asked him why he is doing this when he has won everything in football and it is clear that he is as passionate about this as he was about bundling goals in from a yard out.
Enjoyed this one.
Filippo Inzaghi interview: Pisa on course for promotion to Serie A for first time in 34 years under legendary striker
In this exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Pippo Inzaghi discusses how his passion for football has taken him to Pisa, where he has the club set for promotion to Serie A; Thirty-four years is an ete...
“I was very young, all alone and I did not speak any English.”
Interview with Omar Mascarell on how his time on loan at Derby County — and the support of Jeff Hendrick — helped set him on the path to success in Germany and Spain. He takes on Real Madrid with Mallorca in the Super Cup this week.
Omar Mascarell interview: How Derby County loan shaped Mallorca and Equatorial Guinea midfielder's career
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Mallorcas Omar Mascarell reflects on his time at Derby County as he prepares to face former club Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup
Stats column looks at…
▫️ Manuel Ugarte’s pressing, passing and tackling.
▫️ Raul Jimenez’s perfect Premier League penalty record.
▫️ Jan Paul van Hecke’s progressive passing bypassing opponents.
Manuel Ugarte's tackling for Man Utd at Liverpool, Raul Jimenez's penalty record in The Debrief
In The Debrief, Adam Bate looks at Manuel Ugartes performance for Manchester United against Liverpool, Raul Jimenezs perfect Premier League record from the penalty spot, and why Jan Paul van Hecke is ...
How has Vitor Pereira improved Wolves so quickly? Went to speak to Nelson Semedo to find out. Some really nice tactical detail in here from the Wolves captain.
Nelson Semedo interview: Wolves captain on Vitor Pereira's impact and how the new coach has changed things
In this exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Wolves captain Nelson Semedo discusses the impact of Vitor Pereira; Watch Monday Night Football between Wolves and Nottingham Forest at Molineux from 6.30p...
Bit on Yankuba Minteh with help from his international manager. Enjoyed watching his early performances for Brighton, hope to see him kick on in the second half of the season.
Yankuba Minteh's Brighton potential is huge: Pace and determination key, says The Gambia boss Johnathan McKinstry
Could Yankuba Minteh be set for a big 2025 with Brighton? Adam Bate talks to the players international manager to find out more. Watch Brighton vs Arsenal live on Saturday Night Football from 5pm on S...
Interview with Lee Johnson on still trying to find ways to become a more innovative coach as he looks to return after a year out of the game. Only 43, expect he will do just that.
Lee Johnson interview: Ex-Sunderland boss talks innovation and improvement as he seeks return to management
In this exclusive interview with Sky Sports, former Bristol City, Sunderland and Hibernian boss Lee Johnson discusses his fascination with innovation, why he took the Fleetwood job, and his plans to r...
Stats column is on Bruno Guimarães and his pressing, plus bits on Everton struggling when they are given the ball and why Forest are the masters without it.
Bruno Guimaraes' pressing, Everton's possession issues and why Nottingham Forest are masters without the ball
In The Debrief, Adam Bate reflects on Bruno Guimaraes brilliant Newcastle form and the numbers that underline it before assessing Evertons failure to create when given possession and Nottingham Forest...
Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth doing so well is refreshing not just because it shakes up the table but because they are succeeding in a different way to the rest — and each other.
Teams of the season Nuno Espirito Santo's Nottingham Forest and Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth doing it differently
Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth are in the top five at Christmas not by copying clubs with bigger budgets but by trying to win differently. Adam Bate looks at how Nuno Espirito Santo and Andoni Irao...
Stats column is on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s passing range, Morgan Rogers’ dribbling and the contrast between Leicester’s goalkeepers.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's passing against Tottenham, Morgan Rogers' dribbling and Leicester's goalkeepers
In The Debrief, Adam Bate looks at Trent Alexander-Arnolds passing for Liverpool at Tottenham, Morgan Rogers dribbling for Aston Villa against Manchester City, and why a change of goalkeeper for Leice...
Had a nice chat with
@davidsquires.bsky.social about his new book.
David Squires interview: Football's cartoonist king talks Chaos in the Box: Chronicles from Modern Football
To mark the release of his new book Chaos in the Box: Chronicles from Modern Football, David Squires talks to Sky Sports about how he became footballs most popular cartoonist and the method behind the...
