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Granit Xhaka: Bayer Leverkusen’s Swiss Metronome in Midfield
Granit Xhaka has been battling against the tide of perception his whole career. Whilst he eventually jabbed, jibed, and gesticulated his way into the hearts of Arsenal fans, this wasn’t how he envisioned it. A graceful midfielder, with a range of passes and emotions. He was distilled into the lazy hardman image to fit a…
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Marcelino Núñez Finding His Place at Norwich
Scoring his fifth goal for the club, and third directly from a free-kick, Marcelino Núñez joined a long list of Norwich City players who have scored the winning goal in the East Anglian derby. From a set piece, it was a familiar type of goal, however, this season has seen the Chilean develop and prove…
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Harvey Elliott: Why He Could Play a Pivotal Role in the Post-Klopp Era
Harvey Elliott let rip from 25 yards, and Anfield marveled at the beauty they just witnessed. Cody Gakpo and Wataru Endo had their heads in their hands. The youngster had collected a pass from Mohamed Salah before performing the final act of quite the magical afternoon. He walked off to an adulation subsequently. One wonders…
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Riccardo Calafiori: From Roma Wonderkid to Bologna Breakout Star
It remains to be seen what happens in their final two matches against Juventus and Genoa, it remains to be seen whether or not Thiago Motta will remain as manager, but one thing’s for sure: Bologna will be playing Champions League football next season for the first time in 59 years. They sit third in…
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Yan Couto: Girona’s Mercurial Wing Back
In Europe’s top five leagues, only one defender has managed at least 8 assists, 45 successful dribble take-ons, and 145 progressive carries in a single campaign in the past three seasons: Girona’s (City Football Group’s) Yan Couto. If that seems like an arbitrary cut-off for a grouping of statistics, that is because it is. But,…
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Eli Junior Kroupi: Lorient’s Teenage Talent
Club: Lorient Nationality: France Position: SS, ST, AM, LW Preferred Foot: Right Height: 5’10”/179cm Age: 17 Strengths: instincts, finishing, IQ, creativity, pressing, acceleration, ball-striking, ball-manipulation Areas for Development: weak-foot It has been nothing short of a catastrophic season for Lorient. One year after finishing 10th in the Ligue 1 table, Lorient find themselves in…
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Nick Pope: Newcastle’s Guardian in Goal
At 31 years of age, Nick Pope has enjoyed a glamorous career in English football, playing a vital role in Newcastle’s return to the UEFA Champions League after a two-decade drought and earning call-ups to two World Cups for the Three Lions. He is nearing a return to full fitness after spending the past five…
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Maximilian Beier: Hoffenheim’s Next Top Talent
Germany have been crying out for a world-class center forward ever since Miroslav Klose’s retirement, but they may just have the answer to their predicament in Maximilian Beier. At 21 years of age, Beier is making a name for himself in the Bundesliga this season, having racked up 13 goals and 4 assists in 31…
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Alessandro Buongiorno: Italy’s Next Great Hope in Defense
As Italy look to move on from Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, options are fairly sparse for new manager Luciano Spalletti as he looks to usher them into a new era and refresh their defensive options. Whilst Alessandro Bastoni (25) has emerged as a revelation in Inter’s back three, it remains to be seen whether…
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Why Everyone is Talking About Pierre Lees-Melou: The Modest and Current Star of Brest
Stade Brestois have thrilled and excited in Ligue1 this season, miraculously as we approach the business end of the season their European dream is still alive and kicking. In recent weeks, figureheads from UFEA have made their feelings clear regarding the prospect of Brest hosting European nights next season. In March, the football governing…
