Kicks for Free

Varane and Sancho have moved. Here's looking at some others who might.

Why Spain could go all the way, why the all-conquering USA women's team may not and more as the big ball begins to bounce in Japan

Why continental champions Italy and Argentina would be among the teams to look out for in Qatar 2022

Both know what it is to lose major games at Wembley but have built teams who know how to win

On the eight remaining teams in the European Championship and how the rest of the tournament could shape up after a dramatic round of 16

Picking favourites for the quarters and beyond, not always agreeing except when it comes to predicting why England might stumble.

The talking points of Euro 2020 after all teams have played at least once

In this episode, Dhiman & Bhargab pick their favourite teams and why they agree that England may not be greater than the sum of their parts.

Ahead of the games against Qatar, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, we look a possible starting line-up; the problems of a short Indian season and try to understand Igor Stimac's grumpiness.

In this episode, Germany and Bayern Munich great Philipp Lahm speaks to Hindustan Times in an exclusive interview. Captain of World Cup-winning and Champions League-winning teams during his glittering career, Lahm discusses a range of topics in this interview, including Robert Lewandowski's Bundesliga record, Joachim Loew's final bow with Germany, among other things.

Will LM10 end his association of two decades with the club and the city that made him a household name or will he renew his vows?

In this episode, we discuss the implications of a bubble breach, quarantine in Qatar and how the women's game got another setback

Revisiting the semi-finals of the Champions League and Europa League to understand a tale of two cities: Manchester and London

No Messi, no Ronaldo in the Champions League quarter-finals but that isn't the only reason why this could be the start of a new order in European club football.

As the Premier League top-4 race enters its final stretch, the announcement of a breakaway Super League prompts fury across Europe. Spurs boss Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, gets the boot.

Ahead of his club's AFC Cup qualifier, the India and Bengaluru FC goalkeeper spoke about the season; the club's coach; India's 0-6 defeat to UAE and even shared his thoughts on the continuing farmers' strike.

FC Goa are set to make history next week when they become the first Indian club to play in the group stages of the AFC Champions League. In this episode, the club's head coach Juan Ferrando joins Dhiman and Bhargab to discuss the challenge ahead and his expectations from the upcoming campaign.

After leading Gokulam Kerala to their maiden I-League triumph, the club's Italian head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese joins Bhargab and Dhiman to discuss the highs and lows of the season, the key players in his squad and his coaching career that has spanned over 10 countries across the globe.

For the fifth time in seven seasons, the I-League title race is heading into the final day of the season. TRAU, Gokulam Kerala and Churchill Brothers are all in the fray for the title. TRAU play Gokulam and Churchill face Roundglass Punjab on the final day. Bhargab and Dhiman discuss the season so far and look ahead to Saturday's games.

The hurly-burly is done and Mumbai City FC and ATK Mohun Bagan will play for the title. An analysis of who's ahead of where, from goalkeepers to forwards, and more ahead of Saturday's showdown.

Can Sergio Lobera's team go all the way or will it be a third title for Antonio Lopez Habas. Or a first for either of Juan Ferrando and Khalid Jamil who is the odd one among three Spanish coaches?

ISL7 has shown that a few young Indians have a nose for goal. Even if they are a work in progress, it could mean good news for the national team.

From growing up in New Delhi, Manila and Bengaluru; from playing the Gothia Cup and opting for sunny Spain and from consistently scoring late, late goals, this FC Goa striker is having a ball.  

Covid-19 felt like a tackle from behind in the tiny state and there are issues with the Mizoram Premier League but dearth of footballers is not one of them, says Lalnghinglova 'Tetea' Hmar, the state association's honorary secretary, in this episode. 

Being part of City Football Group, a consortium headlined by Manchester City, has helped Mumbai maintain pole position in ISL this season but things could get hot on the homestretch.

United winning the FA Cup tie mirrored the fortunes of both teams and defending Premier League champions Liverpool now have all to do to get their campaign back on track.

Despite losing the entirety of 2020 to the pandemic, India head coach Igor Stimac is upbeat about 2021. The 53-year-old former Croatia international has been closely following the Indian Super League season from back home in Split. In this discussion with Bhargab and Dhiman, he names some of the youngsters he has been impressed by, India's remaining World Cup qualifiers, his views on the I-League, among other things.

Bengaluru FC are struggling for form this season, losing their last four games in the Indian Super League and failing to score a goal from open play in six of their 10 games. The club has sacked head coach Carles Cuadrat, with Naushad Moosa taking over as interim head coach. In this episode, Dhiman and Bhargab discuss the reasons behind Bengaluru's struggles and the challenges that lie ahead for the club.

The national capital has never had a team playing in the I-League. That changes this season with Sudeva Delhi FC making their debut in the competition. In this episode, Dhiman and Bhargab discuss the season ahead with the club's president Anuj Gupta.   

Can a Delhi club's entry to the I-League change the city's footballing fortunes? Dhiman and Bhargab discuss the significance of Sudeva's rise with Football Delhi president and former FIFA development officer Shaji Prabhakaran. 

Missed chances to consolidate their position could see top teams scour the market and Arsenal trying to solve the Oezil puzzle.

Why can't the 100-year-old club that has won everything in Indian football get off the blocks in its debut ISL season under Robbie Fowler?

After missing a year's action due to a serious knee injury, Sandesh Jhingan is back on the football field. Having moved from Kerala Blasters to ATK Mohun Bagan, the India centre-back hasn't taken long to fit into Antonio Lopez Habas's side. In this episode, the Chandigarh-born footballer joins Bhargab and Dhiman to discuss his career and his challenge at ATK Mohun Bagan, among other things. 

She has been a prolific scorer in India and for India. And now Bala is showing Scotland she can do it there now. We discuss what Bala's goal means for football in India.

Recollections of the genius; his visits to India, playing football with Sourav Ganguly and watching him at World Cups in South Africa and Russia.

Why SC East Bengal's Eugeneson Lyngdoh is looking forward to Friday's ISL game against ATK Mohun Bagan and why 2020-21 could end two seasons of hurt for the midfielder before which he used to be a regular player for India.

Ahead of a new season of the Indian Super League, former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia talks about Mohun Bagan and East Bengal being part of the competition, why promotion and relegation are important going forward, India not playing an international in 2020 and more, including his political career, in this episode.

An interesting round of games in Europe's top leagues provided many talking points—from Grealish to Gnabry, from Villa to Valencia—for Dhiman and Bhargab to chew on in this episode.

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has taken charge as head coach of East Bengal ahead of the club's debut season in the Indian Super League. In this episode, he discusses the upcoming season, his Liverpool days and many other things with Bhargab and Dhiman.

Things are not going to plan at FC Barcelona and a 3-1 home loss to bitter rivals Real Madrid in the season's first El Clasico has added to the pressure on new head coach Ronald Koeman. In this episode, Bhargab and Dhiman discuss last weekend's game at Camp Nou and what could lie ahead for Spain's two biggest clubs.

After five rounds, Carlo Ancelotti's Everton sit atop the Premier League table with 13 points while Aston Villa maintain their perfect start to the campaign. In this episode of Kicks for Free, Bhargab and Dhiman discuss among other thing, why The Toffees are tasting so good.

India goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan in an exclusive conversation on her foray into football, the lockdown, why she thinks she will emerge a better player from it and how the reigning world champions USA inspires her

With the final round of the I-League second division, sports will resume in India in the time of Covid-19. Here's a lowdown on the health protocols in the bio bubble in Kolkata and more for the five-team competition beginning on October 8 with @BhargabSarmah and @DhimanHT. Tune in now!