Crystal Palace are the envy of London at the moment, cage football on the big stage. They have the Premier League in a chokehold. Selhurst steadfastness with samba stylings, the Eagles are the embodiment of their manager Patrick Vieira, grit, and glamour.   Last season couldn’t have gone much better, but Hall of Famer Vieira…

In late June 2019 Rangers were linked with Charlton Athletic’s Joe Aribo, who had just helped Charlton to the championship and was tipped by the Charlton faithful to be their star in the championship. Manager Lee Bowyer told Aribo he would be making an error joining Rangers, saying “if he goes to Rangers that is…

Relatively speaking, it tends to be difficult to pinpoint a single moment in a player’s career that determines the level they achieve. For Kalvin Phillips, his eureka moment came in the form of a first encounter with boss Marcelo Bielsa.   New to the role and having analysed what felt like every Leeds United game…

It always felt like a team of Fulham’s quality and experience would be in the conversation for promotion again last year. But the manner in which they achieved this feat under Marco Silva was unprecedented. A certified yo-yo club ever since their promotion back to the Premier League in 2018, 2021-22’s album felt seminal.  …

On January 23, 2019, FC Barcelona tied down Frenkie De Jong after competing with Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain for an initial fee of €75 million. He was the most sought-after midfielder for the 2018/2019 season in Europe.   The Spanish club had their eyes on him as far back as 2016. With the…

Leeds United’s start to their summer recruitment has been encouraging for supporters, adding depth and quality to positions that were glaring issues for the Whites. USA international Brenden Aaronson was the first through the door, with the deal wrapped up just days after their survival.   Red Bull Salzburg defender Rasmus Kristensen followed his former…

Wolverhampton Wanderers proved a lot of critics wrong last season. Despite Nuno Espirito-Santo departing for Tottenham Hotspur, Wolves responded in style, challenging for European football for much of the campaign under Bruno Lage. With one win in their last eight games, though, there is room for improvement.   A combination of complacency, tired legs and…

Last season felt like the inevitable consequence of Leicester City’s failure to take advantage of one of the most open top-four races in recent memory. After winning just one of their final five games, Leicester missed out on Champions League football for the second successive year in 2021.   So, when young defender Wesley Fofana…

Leeds United kicked off their summer transfer business by recruiting RB Salzburg duo Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen, with the creative American midfielder and marauding Danish full-back linking up again with former boss Jesse Marsch.   Final day survival, and the riches that retaining their Premier League status follow, has seen the club already look…

With Manchester United, fans are never sure whether the club will effectively replace a position or not. Gabriel Heinze, Patrice Evra, Dennis Irwin and even Phil Neville, have set the standard of what it means to play left back for the club. Man Utd have struggled to get the best out of their left backs…