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Romelu Lukaku: The Pace and Power Debate
Prior to the beginning of the 2018 World Cup, many called for Romelu Lukaku to be dropped from Roberto Martinez’s line-up, stating his incompatibility with the other Belgian attackers as their main reason for concern. Four appearances later, these same people should be looking back at their hot takes with shame. The Manchester United attacker…
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Scouting World Cup Stars: Oghenekaro Etebo
Five days before Nigeria’s opening World Cup game against Croatia at the World Cup, news broke that Oghenekaro Peter Etebo had joined Stoke City from Portuguese side Feirense on a five-year contract for €7.2million. Etebo had reportedly turned down interest from a host of Premier League sides, including Leicester, West Brom and Newcastle United to…
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Scouting World Cup Stars: Miguel Trauco
While most Peruvian footballers on the national team are born in Lima and Callao, there are a few exceptions. Anderson Santamaría, the central defender born in Tingo María, Huánuco, is one of them. Luis Advíncula was born in Chincha, down in the southwest coast of Peru, but one of the stars of the team was…
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Player Analysis: Aleksandr Golovin
Thrust into the international footballing limelight due to a superb performance in the opening game of the 2018 World Cup, Aleksandr Golovin has certainly caught the eye of Europe’s elite. An energetic midfielder with a penchant for the spectacular, the 22-year-old first achieved notoriety in 2016, winning the Russian Premier League with CSKA Moscow. Able…
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Sardar Azmoun Retires from Iranian National Team
After facing abuse from fans online, Sardar Azmoun announced his retirement from the Iranian national team on his Instagram account this morning. Less than three days after being narrowly eliminated from the World Cup in a 1-1 draw against Portugal, Iran’s 23-year-old center forward followed fellow Iranian striker Reza Ghoochannejhad in stepping down from national team…
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Fabinho, Keïta, and finding the new partner to complete Liverpool’s new-look midfield
Following the disappointment of a Champion’s League final defeat to Real Madrid at the end of May, Michael Edwards and Jürgen Klopp wasted no time improving the squad with the signing of Monaco defensive midfielder Fabinho. With rumors of a Nabil Fekir move flying and the imminent arrival of Naby Keita, Liverpool fans, myself included,…
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Scouting World Cup Stars: Roman Sergeyevich Zobnin
Full Name: Roman Sergeyevich Zobnin Nationality: Russian Date of Birth: 11 February 1994 (age 24) Birthplace: Irkutsk, Russia Height: 184 m (6 ft 1 in) Youth Club: Konoplyov football academy Current Club: Spartak Moscow Number: 11 (Russian National Team), 47 (Spartak Moscow) Position: Midfield Preferred Foot: Right Market Value: 7.2 Million Contract Until: 30.06.2021 Player’s…
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Scouting World Cup Stars: Albert Guðmundsson
“In the house it was all about football and it still is. That’s how I like it. Football is basically my life. If I am not playing football then I am probably somewhere watching football.” In a family full of footballers, Albert Guðmundsson has forged a unique career path turning down the likes of Arsenal…
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Scouting World Cup Stars: Ellyes Skhiri
After breaking out onto the scene for Montpellier back in 2015, Ellyes Skhiri has the opportunity to lead Tunisia where they’ve never been before. Grouped together with tournament contenders England and Belgium as well as World Cup newbies Panama, Les Aigles de Carthage face a tall task ahead to get out of the group –…
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Scouting World Cup Stars: Dawid Kownacki
Dubbed the ‘new Robert Lewandowski’ by various sectors of the media, Dawid Kownacki is an obvious talent and one the nation of Poland holds in high regard. Yet, the current Sampdoria striker undoubtedly had his work cut out for him to deliver on this hype, and perhaps even exceed the high expectations bestowed upon him…
