Author: Frank G. Barnes

Purveyor of footy since the 90s. Favor the Premier League and old school Serie A with a touch of Bundesliga. More than a touch. Professional writer for 20 years, covering every sport but now focused on the Premier League and world football. You won't be able to guess my favorite team.
Xabi Alonso said how every Chelsea fan feels about Moises Caicedo
11Oct By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments
Analysis

Xabi Alonso said how every Chelsea fan feels about Moises Caicedo

Chelsea finally got defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo back on the pitch after being out for several weeks with a calf injury, and it is no coincidence that they won against Bournemouth with their all important defensive anchor. Xabi Alonso was like everyone else in the Chelsea fan base, just dying to see Caicedo, and he had this to say about having the Ecuadorian star back in his lineup, “I couldn’t wait to have him back to be honest because with Moi on the pitch everything looks more in place because he’s so important, so pivotal.” Caicedo had four tackles, two interceptions, and three clearances with three fouls drawn in a perfect No. 6's performance in the 5-1 blowout win over the Cherries. He was dominant, as ever, and, yes, it was great to see him back out there. E...
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Liverpool fans will love what Andoni Iraola said about Lewis Koumas
11Oct By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments
Analysis

Liverpool fans will love what Andoni Iraola said about Lewis Koumas

Liverpool got it handed to them by Manchester City 3-0 at Anfield on Sunday, but they have to take any positives they can with them, and there are high hopes for young forward Lewis Koumas. While Koumas was a bit out of place in a game of this magnitude, Kopites are excited to see what he can do going forward, and Andoni Iraola spoke a bit about him after the tough loss. Iraola told reporters, "His performances, how he's training, how he's given everything for the team. I trust that he can give us a good threat for City. We have some injuries but I trust 100 per cent my team. I think he's very mobile forward. He's playing all the positions – he can play wide, attacking more the spaces. I think it's quite complete. Obviously he's still young but these games also will be very good for ...
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Senne Lammens keeps the Carlos Baleba hype train going
11Oct By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments
Analysis

Senne Lammens keeps the Carlos Baleba hype train going

Manchester United were not able to close the deal against a 10 man Tottenham Hotspur, drawing 1-1, but they were able to get a positive in the form of seeing blockbuster signing Carlos Baleba on the pitch. And his teammates are hyped about him, too, with young star goalkeeper Senne Lammens raving to the press after the game about what the new No. 8 can bring to Old Trafford. Lammens said, “I think everyone saw the qualities he has—the qualities he can bring us. “Not only him, but I think also Josh [Zirkzee]. He played a pivotal role in the second half to help us get control of the game. One of the positive things about today, I'm very happy for them and hopefully in the future they can also help us a lot”. Baleba was a top class Premier League player for Brighton, and while he is ...
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Bradley Barcola said exactly what Liverpool fans wanted to hear about his mentality
11Oct By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments
Analysis

Bradley Barcola said exactly what Liverpool fans wanted to hear about his mentality

Liverpool forward Bradley Barcola has come with a 123 million pound price tag and massive expectations after winning two straight Champions Leagues with PSG, and while he hasn't scored or assisted yet, Kopites are high on his ability to be the true heir to Luis Diaz in the attack. Barcola has the right mentality, too, and he explained to Liverpool fans that he has told Andoni Iraola that his goal is to not only attack but also to help the team in defense. The Frenchman told Sky Sports in an interview, “When I spoke to him before signing, it was about playing out wide, doing what I do best and playing with lots of pace. That’s why he thought I was a good fit for this team. He knows I attack a lot but also defend a lot. He told me that’s exactly what he needed from me. I’m very happy a...
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Martin Keown nailed what Bruno Guimaraes brings to the table for Arsenal
11Oct By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments
Analysis

Martin Keown nailed what Bruno Guimaraes brings to the table for Arsenal

Arsenal spent a pretty penny to sign Bruno Guimaraes this season, and while he has not been fit enough to make his biggest impact, he was decisive for the Gunners in their tough 2-1 win over impressive underdogs Leeds United. The iconic Martin Keown waxed poetic about the personality the reigning champions showed in the second half of the win over the Peacocks, and he was particularly impressed with the signing from Newcastle United: “If you're gonna be champions again, to repeat it, you have to win these games. And Arsenal found a way to win. But, credit Leeds, I thought Leeds were outstanding, compact. In the duels they were tenacious. And then suddenly Bruno Guimaraes comes off the bench, and he plays with that electricity, a personality. Ok, Calafiori gets the equaliser, but it g...
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Liverpool fans won’t like Andoni Iraola’s latest Dominik Szoboszlai injury news
11Oct By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments
Analysis

Liverpool fans won’t like Andoni Iraola’s latest Dominik Szoboszlai injury news

Liverpool star center midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai missed Sunday's blowout 3-0 loss to rivals Manchester City at Anfield with a hamstring overload injury he suffered during the international break for Hungary. After the loss, Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola told reporters that Szobo has a tight hamstring and admitted that the club will have to wait in order to have the superstar midfielder back. Iraola said, "Another one coming from the international games. He came with an overload, he felt a tight hamstring. He's tried somehow, kind of pushing through training, but he was not feeling 100 per cent and we will have to wait for Dom, yes." Liverpool face LASK in the Champions League this Wednesday and Brentford in a huge top five stakes matchup in the Premier League this weekend. Th...
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Mikel Arteta had the same frustrating response for Viktor Gyokeres
10Oct By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments
Analysis

Mikel Arteta had the same frustrating response for Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres hasn't exactly been lighting up the goals since his big money transfer to the Emirates from the Portuguese top flight, but he has definitely been a better scorer than Kai Havertz and played a crucial role as a new anchoring point for the team in Arsenal finally winning the Premier League last season. But despite Havertz coming off an injury over the international break and Gyokeres scoring in all four of his UEFA Nations League matchups for the Swedish national team, the big No. 9 continues to be snubbed by manager Mikel Arteta. Arsenal won 2-1 against Leeds United but no thanks to Havertz, who did not score or assist as the starting No. 9. And many Arsenal fans were not happy to see the German international still starting despite the injury and poor f...
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Chelsea are mulling a move for the elite defender they should have signed years ago
9Oct By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments
Analysis

Chelsea are mulling a move for the elite defender they should have signed years ago

Chelsea had one of the worst defenses in the Premier League last season, and that held them back from making it into a Champions League place - and it also led to Enzo Maresca's tantrums and mid-season departure. The Blues signed Crystal Palace star Maxence Lacroix, but sitting in 10th place right now, it is hard to say that they are materially better, even with Levi Colwill healthy and Lacroix serving as a significant upgrade. Chelsea still need more help for Alonso's new look back three, and according to a report from Matteo Moretto, Chelsea are analyzing the numbers to see if a move for Jules Kounde is plausible. Kounde was actually supposed to join Chelsea years ago from Sevilla as their dream center back upgrade, but he ended up staying in La Liga with Barcelona at the last s...
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One of Martin Odegaard’s most important traits deserves more shine
9Oct By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments
Analysis

One of Martin Odegaard’s most important traits deserves more shine

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been known as one of the best playmakers in European football for nearly a decade now since breaking out in the Dutch division before shining in the top five leagues with Real Sociedad. He is already off to another great start as a playmaker despite no assists, as he is averaging 2.4 key passes per game through five Premier League starts for Arsenal in 2026/27. But he is also leading the league in a less publicized stat. Per Gradient Sports, Odegaard is first in the Premier League in the number of times he opens his body while receiving a pass. While this seems like a nothing statistic, it is actually very important. See, Odegaard is not just a traditional attacking midfielder. He is like an 8 and a 10 rolled in one, as he is someone who not onl...
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Xabi Alonso has beautiful Moises Caicedo injury news for Chelsea fans
9Oct By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments
Analysis

Xabi Alonso has beautiful Moises Caicedo injury news for Chelsea fans

Purely from a defensive perspective, Chelsea star Moises Caicedo is the best defensive midfielder in the game, and with Enzo Fernandez now at Manchester City, his presence has been missed even more due to injury. Chelsea fans have been waiting on the edge of their seat for any injury updates regarding the Ecuadorian superstar midfielder, as Caicedo has been out since the end of August with a tricky calf injury. Caicedo was able to train and rest over the break, and with optimism that he would be able to return this weekend against Bournemouth as the Premier League returns, too, Xabi Alonso has finally confirmed the great news. Alonso told reporters before the Bournemouth match that his star No. 6 will be out there, "Yes, he’s finally ready to go”. Chelsea need to get back to wi...
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