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Murillo: From Futsal in São Paulo to the Premier League
The road for young Brazilian footballers from the Brasileirão, Brazil’s top domestic league, to the English Premier League is one that is rarely trodden, at least not directly anyway. The most common pathway would be to move to Portugal’s Primeira Liga, or any of the top divisions in Spain, Netherlands, Germany or France where they…
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Mario Lemina: Wolves’ Gabonese Midfield Enforcer
Wolverhampton Wanders remain one of the English Premier League sides that have continued to exceed expectations this season. From barely escaping relegation last season to sitting 11th in the table with 7 matches to go — 17 points above the drop — there’s no gainsaying that Gary O’Neil has done an incredible job at the…
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Lewis Miley: Newcastle’s Rising Star in Midfield
In their first full season under Eddie Howe, Newcastle United finished in 4th place and earned a UEFA Champions League spot after a two-decade drought from the competition. Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, Miguel Almiron, Joe Willock and Joelinton amidst others dazzled throughout the season as Newcastle recorded their highest finish in the Premier League since…
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Daniel Boloca: Sassuolo’s Hidden Gem in Midfield
Club: Sassuolo Nationality: Romania / Italy Position(s): CM, DM Preferred Foot: Right Height: 6’2”/188cm Age: 25 Strengths: passing, technical security, spatial awareness, press resistance, dribbling, distance shooting Areas for Development: goal output, defensive ability Sassuolo played their first-ever Serie A season in 2013/14, narrowly staving off the drop by two points. In the following…
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Aleix García’s Regista Renaissance at Girona
Aleix García’s story is truly one of persistence and transformation. He began his career in the Villarreal youth academy, working his way through the ranks up to the Villarreal B team. At just 18 years old, he made his first career move away from la Ciudad Deportiva Mini Estadi to the Manchester City U21 squad…
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Renato Veiga: The Portuguese Jack-of-all-trades Shining at Basel
Club: FC Basel Nationality: Portugal Position(s): DM, CM, LB, CB, Preferred Foot: Left Height: 6’3”/190cm Age: 20 Strengths: athleticism, physicality, aerial duels, long passing, recoveries, tackling, vision, shooting Areas for Development: decision making, consistency Whilst Sporting have solidified their reputation as one of the top talent generators in Europe, they’ve equally allowed a lot…
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Martin Baturina: Croatia’s Long-term Answer to Luka Modrić?
Club: Dinamo Zagreb Nationality: Croatia Position(s): AM, CM Preferred Foot: Right Height: 5’8”/172cm Age: 21 Strengths: technical ability, dribbling, creativity, passing, vision, long shots Areas for Development: physicality, aerial duels From Josip Šutalo (Ajax – €20.5m) to Joško Gvardiol (RB Leipzig – €36.8m), Dinamo Zagreb has sold several of its up-and-coming young stars for…
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Michael Kayode: Italy’s Future Starter at Right Back?
It has been nothing short of a meteoric rise for Michael Olabode Kayode. Born in Borgomanero, Italy to Nigerian parents, Kayode developed at Juventus’ youth ranks before polishing his skills at Serie D side Gozzano. After two years at Gozzano, he joined Fiorentina’s academy in 2021, winning one Coppa Italia Primavera and one Supercoppa Italiana…
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Patrik Schick: The Czech Bagsman Becoming Bayer Leverkusen’s Unlikely Hero
Patrik Schick’s last five goals for Leverkusen have come as such: 90+2 equaliser. 90+3’ winner. 90+7’ winner. 53’ winner. 90+1’ winner. And this is in a season that has seen the Prague-born talisman struggling with game time and consistent form; only 5 goals in 14 games in the Bundesliga, and 22 appearances in all competitions…
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İlkay Gündoğan: Barcelona’s Free Transfer Turned MVP
Joan Laporta has not been shy about bringing in free transfers to bolster Barcelona’s squad since his reelection as the Blaugrana’s president in 2021. Given the financial circumstances of the club he inherited, adding quality players without paying an exorbitant transfer fee is probably one of the most shrewd maneuvers one could make. During his…
