Only the most loyal followers of Middlesbrough or lower-league aficionados would have been aware of Hayden Hackney this time last year, as Scunthorpe fell further adrift at the bottom of League Two, spiralling towards the inevitability of non-league. Fast-forward to today, and he is omnipresent in Michael Carrick’s well-oiled Middlesbrough machine pushing for promotion to…

Bayer Leverkusen have heavily leaned on the attacking prowess of Jeremie Frimpong this season. The Dutch wing-back has contributed 8 goals and 6 assists in the Bundesliga this season and has acted as one of the main offensive weapons for a young, exciting Leverkusen side under Xabi Alonso.   In the Spanish coach’s system, Frimpong…

At the mere age of 21, Manu Koné has cemented himself as a fundamental stalwart of Daniel Farke’s Borussia Mönchengladbach side. He has been essentially omnipresent for the Foals since his arrival from Toulouse in the summer of 2021-following a loan back after their original purchase in January. In his debut season in Germany, he…

With 13 goals and 11 assists this year, Samuel Chukwueze is among a wave of Nigerian attacking talents blowing up in Europe this season. Chukwueze alongside Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have held their own in two of Europe’s five major leagues this season while the likes of Gift Orban and Victor Boniface have caught…

After producing some excellent performances for Barry Robson’s side, Aberdeen striker Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes has been named Cinch Premiership Player of the Month for March. Duk started the month off with a bang with a lovely taken backheel goal in a 2-1 victory against Dundee United at Tannadice, and he followed that up by scoring…

Kieran Trippier’s ability to reinvent himself is perhaps his greatest asset – from shaven-headed stalwart under Sean Dyche to international recognition at Tottenham. He broke the two-team stranglehold over La Liga with Diego Simeone, and now back in England, he’s the talisman on Tyneside as Newcastle look to secure Champions League qualification.    With 10…

Since the award’s inception in 1992, the Ebony Shoe has been handed out to the best African player or best player of African origin in Belgium. The likes of Vincent Kompany, Romelu Lukaku and Paul Onuachu have won it and today, Joseph Paintsil has emerged as a contender for the award with 12 goals and…

Solly March has recently signed a new three-year deal that will run up to 2026. Everyone at Brighton and Hove Albion are understandably delighted that the winger has committed his future to his boyhood club, not least his manager Roberto De Zerbi who spoke of how he “deserves” this new contract and labelled March a…

Over the past two decades, plenty of players have been deemed ‘the new Lionel Messi’ from Alen Halilović to Marko Marin and have gone on to have underwhelming careers — the nickname seems to be a curse rather than a blessing. However, when you look at Alfie May’s role at Cheltenham Town, there are few…

It’s hard to talk about Brentford players without feeling like you’re doing one of their teammates a disservice. Praise Ivan Toney, but what about Bryan Mbeumo? Praise Christian Norgaard, but what about Mathias Jensen? Such is the cohesion around this team, there appear to be few players who aren’t pulling their weight.    Another example of this is…