In recent months, United States international Weston McKennie has been linked with a move away from Schalke 04. The 21-year-old has been linked with a wide variety of clubs ranging from Hertha Berlin, Southampton, Everton, Leicester City and Aston Villa, with Schalke reportedly demanding a fee within the region of £20 million.   When McKennie…

From Gaetano Scirea to Franco Baresi, from Paolo Maldini to Giuseppe Bergomi, from Alessandro Nesta to Fabio Cannavaro, Italy has been blessed with a long line of world-class defenders over the years, and the latest examples in this list are Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.   To paraphrase the words of Tottenham Hotspur manager José…

Over the years, several African nations have become specialists at producing players of a certain position or role. Nigeria has become famed for its lethal, potent forwards such as Rashidi Yekhini and Victor Osimhen, Mali for its long-legged, restless midfield workhorses like Seydou Keïta and Diadie Samassékou, whilst Cameroon has developed a penchant for its…

When the 2018/19 Premier League season concluded, Manchester United finished in a disappointing 6th place, a season in which they conceded a total of 54 league goals, more than any other club inside of the top 6. The oft criticized trio of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo combined for a total of 41…

Since joining Real Madrid’s academy at the age of 8 years old, Sergio Reguilón has risen up the ranks of La Fábrica to become one of the top left backs in Spain. The Madrileño joined third division side UD Logroñés on loan for two seasons, before returning to Real Madrid Castilla in 2018. From there,…

Lucas Torreira was a revelation when he played at Sampdoria and he earned plaudits for his ball-winning abilities as well as his effective ball distribution. The Uruguayan’s ability to fit into Blucerchiati coach Marco Giampaolo’s system kept Luca Cigarini out of the starting line-up, prompting the experienced playmaker to move to Cagliari after one season…

Sheffield United’s return to the Premier League exceeded even the most hopeful Blades fans’s expectations. Most had predicted them to finish bottom of the league, and whilst a large majority applauded Chris Wilder in returning them to the top division for the first time in 13 years, it was widely believed that theirs was a…

With less than 10 months away from the start of Euro 2020, postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, European teams are starting to put together their squads. The month-long football extravaganza is set to kick off on 11th June at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome with Italy playing Turkey.    Since his appointment…

The face mask may have hidden his beard but poking out from behind the white fabric the figure was still unmistakable. Amongst an entourage of officials and holding the rather fetching new kit of Galatasaray was Arda Turan.   The last time Arda was seen in a Galatasaray shirt was 28 July 2011. Following that…

On 1st July 2019, Brighton and Hove Albion’s Ben White was loaned out to Leeds United for the duration of the 2019/20 season. From the offset, the 22-year old center back proved to epitomize ‘Bielsaball’ and went on to play every single game in Leeds’ outstanding promotion campaign, proving to be arguably the most consistently…