The Decline of Modern Football: What's Gone Wrong? ⚽

On this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Crouchy, Chris Stark, and Steve Sidwell reunite to discuss the state of modern football—and it’s safe to say, the game has well and truly gone. From nostalgic takes on goal celebrations to fuming over financial fair play, the lads aren’t holding back.

Chris discusses his injury from a rogue five-year-old’s high five, Steve shares his story about proposing again on his 20th wedding anniversary, and Crouchy flexes his new golf trophy win, sparking a movement to secure him VIP parking across the UK.

But it’s the main debate that steals the show—“has football officially lost the plot?” The team deep dive into everything that grinds their gears about the modern game: players filming with phones on the pitch, soulless shirt sponsors, managers refusing to adapt tactics, and the death of spontaneity in football moments thanks to VAR.

Plus, we use AI to generate Sids a FAKE girlfriend in the Chumbawumbar… trust us, this one's a belter.

Chumbawamba

00:00 – Reunion and travel debreif
01:04 – Steve’s second wedding proposal
08:22 – Chris’s bizarre injury from a child
09:00 – Crouchy wins a golf tournament (and calls for VIP parking)
12:51 – Episode theme: “The Game’s Gone”
14:02 – Has VAR killed the magic of football?
16:57 – Rant about players filming with phones on the pitch
22:14 – Fake AI girlfriend?!
25:26 – Financial Fair Play and club punishments
28:09 – Selling homegrown players to game the system
33:11 – Why do all managers now play the same tactics?
39:06 – Crouchy wants the return of the magic sponge
45:03 – Throw-ins vs. kick-ins: the lads reimagine the game

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