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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…
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The Ultimate Bundesliga 2021/22 Data Analysis
The international breaks are an odd period in the football calendar, offering respite for some, monotonous friendlies for others, and career-defining qualifiers for the rest. Even in the world of sports journalism, the international break can throw a shoe-horn in regular plans, allowing individuals like myself to deviate from the normal schedule, and refine some…
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Finding Arsenal’s Next Right-Back
10 years after joining the club as a teenager from Barcelona, Héctor Bellerín is set to return to Spain as Arsenal look to cash in on the 26-year-old as he enters the final two years of his contract. Villarreal have reportedly thrown their hat into the ring and made an offer for him, with Unai…
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Dani Ceballos — What Next?
The boy from Utrera, Spain is nearing the end of his second loan spell at Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta now has an important decision to make regarding the future of Dani Ceballos. The young Spaniard is expected to return to Madrid at the end of the season, where he has a contract until 2023, although…
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A Theoretical and Statistical Analysis of WSL Defenders
The development of football as a sport has undeniably been enormous over the last century. Rules, tactics, infrastructure and various other aspects of the game have gradually evolved over time and continue to grow. And although it might not be the most historical on paper, the WSL (and hence, women’s football too) has also undergone…
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Player Analysis: Antonín Barák
When Antonín Barák arrived in Italy in the summer of 2017, it seemed that Udinese had discovered another hidden gem. A tall and slender playmaker who was languid in movement, the Czech international was not blessed with much speed, but he possessed clean technique on the ball. With the Zebrette, he scored seven goals in…
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Data Analysis: Gabriel Menino
In just one year, Gabriel Menino has reached heights that most Brazilian youngsters can only dream of. After making his professional debut in a 4-0 victory over Ituano on January 22, 2020, Menino quickly cemented a starting spot for Palmeiras, received a call-up to the Brazilian national team, and reached the Copa do Brasil Final.…
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Data Analysis: Harvey Barnes
While Jamie Vardy is Leicester City’s perennial talisman and James Maddison’s linear progress is receiving public acclaim, Harvey Barnes’ form has somewhat slipped under the radar. Perhaps this is apt: Barnes isn’t a player who exudes flair on the ball, he doesn’t appear to be a vociferous personality and he isn’t racking up 30 goals…
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Henrik Mkhitaryan’s Revival at Roma
Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan has arguably been Roma’s best player in the 2020/21 Serie A season so far. After impressing on loan during the 2019/20 campaign, the attacking midfielder had his contract with Arsenal terminated by mutual consent and the Giallorossi signed him on a free transfer. His form in his second season at the…
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Leah Galton: Casey Stoney’s Protean Trump Card
Since its inception, The FA Women’s Super League has undergone several different phases of growth and has today rightly become a huge entity in the world of football. From world-class wingers to rock-solid centre backs, the players who have been part of this league for a while now, have only gotten more positionally versatile over…