That China Episode: Football's Biggest Paydays, Derby Day Memories & Digital Red Cards?!

On this week’s episode of the Peter Crouch Podcast, Pete is calling in all the way from China, while Sids and Chris hold the fort in the Chumbawambar! After a 13-hour flight, a four-hour drive and a whirlwind trip that’s left Pete completely out of sync with the rest of the world, the lads get stuck into another week of football madness.

We debate the BIG question facing modern footballers: would you turn down a HUGE tax-free payday just to stay in the Premier League? From Oscar’s big-money move to China to the Saudi Pro League’s growing influence, the lads discuss ambition, loyalty and whether you can really blame players for taking the money.

Elsewhere, football really has gone mad, as the boys discuss referees using PHONES to show yellow and red cards. There’s also a look at Brighton’s emphatic 5-0 demolition of Crystal Palace, before the lads revisit some of their biggest derby-day highs and lows. Pete remembers THAT North London derby comeback with Spurs, scoring at Goodison Park and the time his QPR side were absolutely battered by Arsenal.

And if you thought training sessions were always straightforward, think again. Pete reveals how Stoke managed to go 1-0 down during a training drill… against absolutely NO ONE. Add in a rather unusual taxidermy badger purchase and you’ve got another episode packed with stories, debates and plenty of nonsense.

Finally, we predict Chelsea vs Spurs, Aston Villa vs Manchester City and Liverpool vs Brighton… who’s backing who this weekend? Will Chris extend his lead? can Sids close the gap? and will Crouchy’s predictions save him from finishing rock bottom? Get involved in the comments and let us know your picks!

Chumbawamba

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- Pete joins from China as Sids and Chris hold the fort
- Total jet lag
- Cherry Cars and Bournemouth
- China's football boom
- Pete's mad few weeks
- The awkward Agent Provocateur photoshoot
- Referees using phones to show cards
- Ref cam footage and football chat
- Pete's winning-penalty and Crouchfest idea
- Podcast in-jokes and the stuffed badger
- Oscar, China and big-money moves
- Would you leave for £350k a week?
- Saudi money, ambition and building communities
- Ronaldo's impact on Saudi football
- Brighton smash Crystal Palace 5-0
- Derby-day thrashings
- Stoke go 1-0 down against NO ONE
- Brighton's seagull mascot debate
- Pete's North London derby comeback
- The 6-0 Arsenal nightmare
- Cheering a Liverpool goal at a christening
- The lads' predictions league update
- Chelsea vs Spurs predictions
- Aston Villa vs Manchester City predictions
- Liverpool vs Brighton predictions
- The lads wrap up the weekend predictions
- Pete's final sign-off from China