The January transfer window is notorious for desperate business and last-minute loan deals as clubs pay far over market value for disgruntled stars and injury stopgaps.   For every Virgil van Dijk and Nemanja Vidic, there are countless examples of players introduced with massive expectations, only to vanish out of view almost as soon as…

Javi Galán is, at least statistically, one of Europe’s best dribblers, and the fact that he is a left-back makes it even more surprising.   He began to shine in LaLiga at SD Huesca but when they got relegated, Celta Vigo managed to pick one of the best performing left-backs of the league. It has…

Giacomo Raspadori, perhaps the definition of a Sassuolo-made talent, and subsequently one of the best players that former Sassuolo youth coach, and current Fiorentina youth coach, Christian Papalato has ever seen. That’s not a statement filled with hyperbole, either.   There’s several reasons why Papalato, and many others, see 21-year-old Raspadori going straight to the…

Everton have announced the signing of Donny van de Beek on loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the season, with the Dutchman becoming the first arrival of the Frank Lampard reign at Goodison Park.   The move comes after a frustrating 18-month spell for the midfielder which brought just four Premier League starts…

The forced sale of Chris Wood to the almost omnipotent Newcastle United seemed to be the beginning of the end for life in the Premier League for Burnley. The New Zealand international has scored the most Premier League goals under Sean Dyche, netting 49 times.   Wood was pivotal in the Clarets’ survival last season…

After four-and-a-half seasons at Juventus, Rodrigo Bentancur has been sold to Tottenham Hotspur as the English Premier League club reinforces the squad for new manager Antonio Conte. The 24-year-old was purchased from the Italian giants for €19 million plus another €6 million in bonuses while 30 percent of the transfer fee will go to his…

“You watch the game, you don’t see [Sergio] Busquets. You watch Busquets, you see the whole game.” Those were the words of former Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque on his midfield metronome, but they could have just as easily been applied for Otávio Henrique Passos Santos, or Otávio.   As former Bordeaux manager Jean Louis…

With Nottingham Forest’s resurgence under Steve Cooper bringing joy and optimism back to The City Ground – the potential of Premier League football enthralling the hardened Forest fans –  favourites amongst an excitable fanbase are beginning to emerge.   Brennan Johnson’s seven goals and six assists from the wing has made him a transfer target,…

In a career that has been impacted by injuries and inconsistent form, Giacomo Bonaventura has not always displayed his talents to the fullest of his capabilities.   Prior to joining Fiorentina in 2020, the Italian midfielder had played for Atalanta and AC Milan, and he spent some time on the sidelines, particularly at the Rossoneri.…

The Turkish second division has emerged as a breeding ground of young talent, developing far more players than the Süper Lig, the Turkish topflight.   Talents from every corner of Europe join the division, but also from the African continent, with these players taking advantage of the opportunity to head to Europe and the teams…