The pod returns to look back at the big stories of the (three-week) summer break, José Mourinho moaning, Gerrard and Lampard playing the same role once again and Gary Mackay-Steven’s pre-match playlist

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Max Rushden returns for a new season with Barry Glendenning, Paolo Bandini and Lars Sivertsen to discuss everything that’s been happening over the (three-week) summer break, starting with the Community Shield. We ask: “Can anyone stop Manchester City?” a few weeks earlier than we did last season, chuckle at Chelsea’s makeshift midfield and wonder how long it will take to complete the Sarri-fication of this squad, with more want-away stars than the Big Bang.

We discuss a few of the bigger stories of the last few weeks - José Mourinho complaining about pre-season three days after the World Cup final and Mesut Özil’s decision to quit the German national team.

In part two, we chew over a few of the larger transfers happening across Europe this summer, with a particular focus on the comings and goings in Serie A, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival triggering a number of significant moves in and out of Juventus.

In part three we focus on the return of the Football League and the Scottish Premiership, both of which kicked off last weekend, with a few recently-retired legends taking the managerial reins for the very first time, and Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town losing 1-0.

Back on Thursday!

P.S. we’re doing a live show in Manchester on 5 September as part of the Football Writers’ Festival. Tickets and all other information here!