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Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Shakhtar Donetsk and … Sheriff Tiraspol?
“Who?” Was the reaction from many when Sheriff Tiraspol were drawn from pot four into a group surrounded by Champions League heavyweights. The question, in this instance, is probably a fair one. Even the most dedicated Football Manager players and self-proclaimed European football experts would be hard-pressed for knowledge on these Champions League debutants. The…
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Player Analysis: Callum O’Hare
For as long as time – think Maradona vs England in ’86 or Messi exhibit one of 400 – phenomenal solo runs have often been followed by opposing fans’ cries for defenders to scythe them down at the apparent multiple opportunities to do so. After all, those slight, slippery ball carriers in full flight are…
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Beware the Apathy, Arsenal
A little over a year ago, Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side won the FA Cup. Fans were buoyant and then subsequently; expectant, hoping to carry the momentum from that triumph into the next season. It was not enough; Arsenal spluttered and stumbled to another eighth-place finish. Fast forward three games into this current season…
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Prince Mumba: Zambia’s All-Action Midfielder
Prince Mumba was born on 24 March 2001 in Zambia, a country in southern Africa. He started his professional footballing career at Zambian club Kabwe Warriors, where he still plays. Over the past two seasons he has gone from a young prospect in their squad to one of their most important players. Mumba has…
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How Thomas Tuchel’s Undermanned Chelsea Secured a Draw at Anfield
Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel share remarkably similar managerial paths. Both making their name under Bundesliga clubs Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, Tuchel succeeding Klopp both times displaying he was never in the shadow of his predecessor. Recognised for their fluid, innovative football epitomising the plethora of thriving German managers who have revolutionised the game…
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Tactical Analysis: Liverpool 1 – 1 Chelsea
On Saturday afternoon Liverpool and Chelsea faced off in this season’s first contest between two early title favourites. The first half of the match was exhilarating with both teams pressing aggressively and transitioning quickly in attack, but as so often is the case, the flow of the game completely changed as a result of a…
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Michail Antonio: West Ham’s Unsung Talisman
As the quote from Dirty Dancing goes, nobody puts Michail Antonio in a corner. Although much has been written about Johnny Castle’s famous one-liner, at its heart is a message about the expression of talent. In Castle’s eyes, Baby Houseman was simply too gifted to be left aside. She had to be the centre of attention,…
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Chris Kouakou: Ivory Coast’s Intriguing Midfielder
Chris Kouakou was born on 15 December 1999 in Ivory Coast, a country renowned in footballing circles for producing legendary players like Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure. Kouakou left his homeland in January 2018 at just 18 years of age to join the prestigious Tunisian club CS Sfaxien. During his time in Tunisia, he has…
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Mohammed Salisu: Southampton’s Ghanaian Rock in Defense
In football, a player’s career can change for better or worse in an instant. That was certainly the case for Mohammed Salisu, who went from an unknown quantity to one of the most promising defenders in Spain in just one day. Despite only being used sparingly in preseason under manager Sergio González, Salisu was given…
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Martin Ødegaard: How Arsenal’s New Creative Engine Will Make an Impact at the Emirates
Last Friday Arsenal announced the signing of Norwegian international Martin Ødegaard from Real Madrid on a permanent deal reportedly worth 35 million euros. The highly touted 22-year-old spent half of last season on loan at the North London outfit and was one of The Gunners’ top chance creators. Manager Mikel Arteta spoke about Ødegaard’s…
