-
![]()
Neymar at PSG: unfulfilled promise, injuries, and stagnation
“I want to write history here. This is the only reason. There are new challenges, and I want to help write the history of the club. Our biggest challenge is the Champions League, but there are other trophies too.” On August 4, 2017, a beaming Nasser al-Khelaifi unveiled Paris Saint-Germain’s newest recruit. The man he had…
-
![]()
The gender pay gap in soccer: tackling discrimination one step at a time
Women’s football has gained some positive press in recent months, from Phil Neville’s Lionesses blossoming in their World Cup qualifiers, to the stadiums of high-profile teams such as Barcelona, Lyon and Juventus being sold out on a regular basis. Yet if we are to really make the most of this momentum, we must discuss the…
-
![]()
Of gloom and glory: Zimbabwe’s AFCON qualification a positive twist to a common narrative
The great Greek tragedian Aeschylus must have had Zimbabwe on his mind when he said, “There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief.” His words ring true for a nation that has had its fair share of grievances and nationwide disappointment, an overwhelming 39 years that has left the…
-
![]()
Twitter and Tottenham: Why the Premier League’s punching bag deserve more credit
Social media has become a toxic place these days. From a football perspective, it has become a hostile battleground for rival fans who come up with the strangest of arguments to take the the opposition down and to prove their supremacy. Twitter is ablaze with this insatiable urge for footballing dominance. Opinions are diverse,…
-
![]()
Cristiano and Kobe, and why we are all at fault for the abrupt dismissal of the allegations
The role that the media plays in sexual harassment allegations against sports stars cannot be understated – we are all at fault for cases like Cristiano Ronaldo’s and Kobe Bryant. Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid ran riot at the Wanda Metropolitano in the first leg of their Champions League tie against Juventus, racking up two away goals…
-
![]()
How English teams started winning in Europe again
The 2014-15 UEFA Champions League season was arguably the lowest point for English football in Europe over the last 15 years. After Liverpool were demoted to the Europa League after having finished 3rd in their group, the trio of Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea were sent packing in the Round of 16. Four years later,…
-
![]()
Ramos’ Folly and Tadić’s Triumph
After the final scene in Alfonso Cuáron’s 2000 film “Amores Perros,” the screen fades to black, and a dedication in white text appears: “A Luciano, porque también somos lo que hemos perdido.” This translates as “To Luciano, because we are also what we have lost.” In “Amores Perros,” each character is defined by what…
-
![]()
Claudio Ranieri and Fulham: The Tinkerman’s Last Stand
After a hot-and-cold managerial track record, Claudio Ranieri etched his name into legend when he took a Leicester City side fancied for relegation and miraculously guided them to a staggering Premier League title in 2016. But the man who gained plaudits and admiration from football fans around the world with his smiley, eccentric attitude, has…
-
![]()
How Chelsea can use their transfer ban to their advantage
The past few months have seen Chelsea dominate football headlines for a variety of negative reasons. Last month, FIFA handed the Blues a transfer ban that would see them barred from signing players over the next two transfer windows. An appeal from the club is expected and more than likely, they’ll be able to complete…
-
![]()
The Top Six Transfer Windows of Summer 2018
Six months following the closure of the summer 2018 transfer window, it’s fair to say we can make some conclusions now. Several transfer windows saw their club spend record amounts on new arrivals, yet fall into the relegation zone and sack their manager. Others saw their team’s new signings flourish, leading to prospective fees that…
