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Lee Kang-In: PSG’s Korean Playmaker
Talent development is a fascinating facet of football, one that feels a lot like a dice game with any possible outcomes regardless of the skillset and talent the player possesses. Many great talents have fallen by the wayside, not because they weren’t actually legitimately talented – even though some might reach that conclusion – but…
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Oumar Diakité: The Ivorian Winger Poised for Greatness
They say that modern football is losing something. “Recipes”, some on Twitter call it. The overwhelming sentiment being that the game no longer has enough players at the top level with flair, flamboyance, magic even. Players who have the ability to consistently come up with their own solutions, dribble past players and perform silky moves,…
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Exploring José Sá’s 2023/24 Comeback Journey
Excitement surrounded the Molineux when Wolverhampton Wanderers signed José Sá ahead of the 2021/22 season. The former Portuguese Primeira Liga and Greece Super League champion was set to replace fan-favorite Rui Patrício, who departed that summer to join AS Roma. A very successful debut season saw the Portuguese goalkeeper’s stock rise steeply, as he…
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Exequiel Palacios: Leverkusen’s Unsung Argentine Dynamo in Midfield
Exequiel Palacios was 20 years old when he starred for River Plate as they defeated crosstown rivals Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores Final. He was 21 when he departed his boyhood club and joined Bayer Leverkusen for €22 million. He was 22 when he came off the bench and led Argentina to victory against…
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Cristhian Mosquera: From Futsal to Valencia’s Defensive Rock
Believe it or not, one of the best young center back prospects in the world almost chose basketball over football. The story of Cristhian Mosquera starts in Alicante, Spain, a coastal city in the south of the Valencian Community. He was born to Colombian parents, and at a young age, picked up the sport…
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Bukayo Saka: Arsenal’s Attacking Talisman
Over the past two years, Arsenal have splurged £105 million on Declan Rice, £65 million on Kai Havertz, and £45 million on Gabriel Jesus. And yet, their attacking protagonist is a player who hasn’t cost a dime in transfer fees and who has been with the club since the age of seven: Bukayo Saka. …
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Georges Mikautadze: Georgia’s Redeemed One to Watch at the Euros
Saying it’s been a season of highs and lows for Georges Mikautadze is somewhat of an understatement. After finishing as Ligue 2’s Player of the Season with 23 goals and eight assists in the 2022/23 season, the French-born Georgian international started on a high with a goal involvement in each of his first-ever Ligue 1 games,…
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Joshua Zirkzee: The Complete Center Forward
Club: Bologna Nationality: Netherlands Position: ST Preferred Foot: Right Height: 6’4”/193cm Age: 23 Strengths: IQ, spatial awareness, link-up play, hold-up play, ambipedal, finishing, athleticism Areas for Development: less creative responsibility It has been nothing short of a legendary campaign for Thiago Motta’s Bologna, who have sealed a return to the UEFA Champions League after…
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Álvaro Vallés: The Modern Sweeper Keeper
Club: Las Palmas Nationality: Spain Position: GK Preferred Foot: Right Height: 6’3”/191cm Age: 26 Strengths: reflexes, speed, line-breaking passes, composure, technical security, claiming crosses Areas for Development: top-flight experience It has been quite the arduous rise for Álvaro Vallés. After honing his trade at the academies of Real Madrid and Real Betis, Vallés plied…
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How Alexander Sørloth Finally Found His Home at Villarreal
Heading into Villarreal’s last game of the season away at Osasuna, Alexander Sørloth knew he needed at least one goal to claim the Pichichi – the trophy given to La Liga’s top scorer each year. The Norwegian thought his 17-minute four-goal haul against champions Real Madrid the week prior would have been enough, but he…
