Articles
-
![]()
The Fix Is In – The 1915 Match-Fixing Scandal
The arrival of spring 1915 heralded new levels of bloodshed in continental Europe as the Great War escalated among the belligerent nations. But amidst the suffering of men in the battlefields of continental Europe, the football season was still being played in England in the first year of the war. Beginning in September 1914,…
-
![]()
Ralf Rangnick’s Red Devils Revolution Beginning to Take Shape
The Ralf Rangnick revolution has begun at Old Trafford. Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace provided the German with the perfect start to life with the Red Devils. Having only had 45 minutes of on-the-pitch training time with the team, it was impressive to see just how structured United were. Deploying a 4-2-2-2 system…
-
![]()
Hakim Ziyech: The Potential Master Key in Chelsea’s Attack
It only took Thomas Tuchel nine minutes to lose his patience with Hakim Ziyech. The Watford game was precariously balanced at 1-1 and the 28-year-old Moroccan had already failed with a cross-field diagonal to Marcos Alonso which was intercepted, received a yellow for fouling João Pedro on the counter, bafflingly passed the ball out of…
-
![]()
Player Analysis: Levi Colwill
Few fanbases in world football should be as excited for their club’s future, both short and long term, as Chelsea’s right now. Whether you’re looking at the project over the next six months or six years, the talent pool across all ranks is unmatched and the opportunities appear endless. With the likelihood that Liverpool…
-
![]()
Player Analysis: Maxwel Cornet
When Alan Pace completed his takeover of Burnley, he promised to adopt a “unique” approach to running the club. Eleven months on, it’s evident that we should take the 53-year-old at his word. “We are not going to do stupid stuff,” the former banker said in January. “We may say silly things that people…
-
![]()
Player Analysis: Arthur Cabral
A 23-year-old Brazilian striker who has 57 goals and assists in his last 62 games; somehow, Arthur Cabral is yet to gain the praise he truly deserves. Attention is beginning to burgeon, especially since West Ham have reportedly made a recent £17m bid for him. The hammers are not the only Premier League club…
-
![]()
Player Analysis: Rafa Silva
Rafael Alexandre Fernandes Ferreira da Silva, more commonly known as “Rafa” in the football world, is continuing his great run of form at Benfica for the fourth consecutive season of what is year 6 of his contract at the club. Now at age 28, he seems to have nearly perfected his game. With 22…
-
![]()
Data Analysis: José Mourinho’s Roma
There is no manager in world football who causes as much divisiveness among journalists, pundits, and supporters as Jose Mourinho. His AS Roma tenure has only just begun, yet the narrative around his team has already swung one extreme to the other — from potential title contenders to underachievers who may struggle to qualify for…
-
![]()
Jorginho – Chelsea’s Main Man in the Middle Comes Third in the Ballon d’Or Rankings
There’s always some controversy when the latest Ballon d’Or rankings come around, none more so this year when Robert Lewandowski was pipped to the prestigious award by now seven-time winner Lionel Messi. Simon Kjaer’s ranking raised a few eyebrows too, making it into the top 20 in 18th. A formidable presence at the back…
-
![]()
Redefining the Fullback Position: Joao Cancelo and Trent Alexander-Arnold
Traditionally, the fullback positions on the pitch, either in a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 system were generally saddled with the major responsibility of defending, by stopping the opposition’s wingers and or wing forwards from creating goal-scoring situations as well as covering up spaces for center backs who move out of position. On top of that,…
