Articles
-
![]()
Tactical Analysis: Palmeiras vs. River Plate (First Leg)
As the Copa Libertadores edges ever closer to its conclusion, two of the tournament’s juggernauts find themselves head to head in a two-legged semi-final. Those teams, Palmeiras of Brazil and River Plate of Argentina, are a couple of the most storied clubs in all of South America. To add an extra layer to the intrigue,…
-
![]()
Four January Swap Deals Capable of Changing Both Clubs’ Seasons
The financial ramifications of the global pandemic have devastated European football, leaving countless clubs in precarious situations as we close in on almost a year since the ball temporarily stopped rolling. Although many of Europe’s elite clubs aren’t affected in the same devastating ways that sides in the lower breaches of football are, the lack…
-
![]()
Gracias Negrito: Defending Football against Political Correctness
Edinson Cavani has been the most recent victim of Manichaeism by the Football Association. He scored twice (the winning goal just two minutes before the final whistle) to give an in-extremis win at St. Mary’s Stadium against Southampton on November 29. One friend lauded him privately at Instagram DM, and his answer was “Gracias, Negrito.”…
-
![]()
Analyzing the Premier League Squads before the January Transfer Window: Part 3
This is the final part of my three-part series analyzing the different Premier League Squads before the January Window. You can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here. In Part 1, I discussed how the top 8 teams (after Matchday 14) were placed in terms of squad depth before they enter the January…
-
![]()
Why Tomáš Souček Has Been Crucial To West Ham’s Success This Season
It is easy to suggest that in Tomáš Souček, David Moyes has ‘found his Fellaini’ due to the Czech Republic international’s stature and presence in the final third from set-pieces, and in a sense it’s true, Souček has mirrored Marouane Fellaini’s role that was clearly so effective during Moyes’ tenure at Everton, often arriving late…
-
![]()
Pedro Neto: The Latest Portuguese Protégé Looking to Push Wolves to New Heights
As the Portuguese national team nears the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era, their recent stream of young, vibrant attacking talent has reshaped a once spine-chilling prospect into a free-flowing, seamless transition in the wake of the inevitable absence of their great talisman. From João Félix and Diogo Jota to Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes, the Seleção…
-
![]()
Lucy Bronze: Football’s Priceless Pioneer
Although women’s football has very recently come to the fore of the sport with massive investment and spending, there are certain players who have already achieved all there is to achieve. When we talk of talent and recognition, England and Manchester City fullback Lucy Bronze is a name that usually comes up instantly. The…
-
![]()
Where Do Chelsea Go Next?
Chelsea capitulated, again, against Manchester City to find themselves 0-3 down in 35 minutes in their recent Premier League clash. This followed the other disaster against Arsenal in which they were 0-3 in under an hour against a team who were in extremely poor form. As imagined, fans, both rival and Blues fans, have…
-
![]()
Tactical Analysis: Milan’s Defensive Structure
Milan have enjoyed a rip-roaring start to the season under manager Stefano Pioli, currently atop the Serie A table after 16 matchdays and set to face Red Star Belgrade in the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 after topping their group of Lille, Sparta Prague, and Celtic. Whilst Zlatan Ibrahimović has received most of the…
-
![]()
The Resurgence of Leon Bailey at Bayer Leverkusen
As the final whistle blew to condemn Leverkusen to a 1-2 defeat in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals against eventual runners-up Inter Milan, few fans expected Jamaican winger Leon Bailey to line up for Die Werkself again. With the 23-year old increasingly agitating for a move to the Premier League, going as far as to…
