Author: Joe Soriano

Joe Soriano is the editor of The Trivela Effect and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2010. He’s led top digital communities like The Real Champs (Real Madrid) and has run sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. He also helped manage NFL Spin Zone and Daily DDT, covering the NFL and pro wrestling.

Every Bundesliga team’s biggest weakness in 2026
9Feb By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

Every Bundesliga team’s biggest weakness in 2026

The 2025/26 Bundesliga season is more than halfway done, and so now is as great of a time as ever to pinpoint the biggest sporting weakness in each side in the German top flight so far this season. Augsburg: Retaining control Every smaller Bundesliga side is inherently going to struggle at least somewhat in possession, and the style of the Bundesliga has never really been about being strong with the ball, unless if you are Bayern Munich (and occasionally RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund, depending on the manager). But Augsburg have more talent than their placement in the league table (13th) suggests. A big part of that is their inability to protect leads by keeping control of games, both in and out of possession. They have a few players who are genuinely among the best in the Bunde...
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The 10 most underrated Bundesliga players in 2026
8Feb By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

The 10 most underrated Bundesliga players in 2026

The Bundesliga is one of the most overlooked leagues in European football despite being one of the four most popular around the world in terms of overall interest, and while it lacks the same star power it has in the past, part of that is because so many of their best players do not get their deserved plaudits. Here are 10 Bundesliga standouts currently in the 2025/26 season who are massively underrated and deserve a lot more praise, attention, and transfer consideration from other clubs around European football. Hoffenheim CM Wouter Burger Most fans have not heard of Wouter Burger, but diehard Bundesliga supporters know that the young Dutch midfielder has been one of the best overall players in the league this season. He is an ideal deep lying playmaker with his ability to score...
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The 10 best young Bundesliga stars available on the summer 2026 transfer market
7Feb By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

The 10 best young Bundesliga stars available on the summer 2026 transfer market

The Bundesliga has always been a haven for producing young footballing talent for all the leagues in world football, and the Premier League, in particular, have become fond of plucking the newest budding young talent from the German top flight. As 2026 continues, here is a look at 10 young stars in Germany who are worth watching closely and should be available in the upcoming summer 2026 transfer window when June hits. RB Leipzig LW Yan Diomande From Bundesliga kings Bayern Munich to Premier League clubs Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, Yan Diomande is going to have no shortage of suitors in the summer transfer window as one of the brightest young prospects on the wings in European football. Everyone is after explosive young wingers who can beat their man and produce goal...
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Fantasy La Liga 2026: Ranking the 10 best midfielders to own for maximum points
7Feb By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

Fantasy La Liga 2026: Ranking the 10 best midfielders to own for maximum points

Choosing the best midfielders in La Liga Fantasy is a lot more difficult than just going with the best overall players, the stars on the best teams, or even who is actually playing the best because the scoring system favors midfielders who score goals, dribble incisively, and make decisive defensive actions as part of a successful team defense. Negotiating all of these variables is often difficult. Here are the best La Liga midfielders to own in fantasy for the remainder of the 2025/26 season based on their ability to give you maximum points, regardless of their cost. 10. Luis Milla, Getafe With seven assists this season, Luis Milla is one of the best table setters in La Liga, and he is also a quality defender in the middle of the park. But he isn't going to get you many points anyw...
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The 10 best Premier League midfielders on the summer 2026 transfer market
7Feb By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

The 10 best Premier League midfielders on the summer 2026 transfer market

The 2026 summer transfer window is still several months away, but it is never too early to start thinking about the future when it comes to the transfer market. Teams cannot get enough depth in the middle of the park, so here are 10 midfield transfer targets worth keeping an eye on in the Premier League circles as possible strong buys come June. Curtis Jones, Liverpool Tottenham Hotspur have already been linked, and while Liverpool have shown no interest in selling away such a valuable up and coming young midfielder, Curtis Jones may want to spread his wings out of being second fiddle in the Liverpool midfield and become THE guy (potentially) at another prestigious club. Spurs don't seem prestigious now amidst another difficult season under a new, overmatched manager, but Jones should...
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Full Premier League Summer 2026 Transfer Window Predictions: Where Sandro Tonali, Elliot Anderson will land
7Feb By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

Full Premier League Summer 2026 Transfer Window Predictions: Where Sandro Tonali, Elliot Anderson will land

The January 2026 transfer window just ended, but it is never too early to keep one eye peeled on the upcoming summer transfer window, especially since a lot of the moves that were not made and the rumors that were started in the winter tend to carry over into the summer. Here is a complete look at all the big moves that could be completed in the summer 2026 transfer window around the Premier League. Let's predict each big name that could move and where they could go. CM Sandro Tonali from Newcastle to Arsenal Bruno Guimaraes is the biggest fish on Newcastle United who could potentially move teams this summer 2026 transfer window, but the most likely Newcastle stars to exit are Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali. Once one of the finest young center midfielders in European football, th...
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Ranking the 15 best goalkeepers in world football in 2026
25Jan By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Rankings

Ranking the 15 best goalkeepers in world football in 2026

You would think the goalkeeper position would be the easiest to evaluate on the football pitch, because, well, goalkeepers are more stationary than other players and can be largely evaluated on how successful they are at stopping the other team from scoring. But it isn't really that simple. Although goalkeepers are primarily asked to make saves, ask any Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur fan how much having a goalkeeper who does not command the box well or makes basic errors in possession can totally destroy your team's sense of stability. There is also the matter of reputation. Many goalkeepers can skate by on a reputation built up over the years of greatness, whereas some younger goalkeepers find it more difficult to gain a foothold for this reason. Finally, there is the mat...
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5 forgotten world football stars still playing in the 2026 Bundesliga
24Jan By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

5 forgotten world football stars still playing in the 2026 Bundesliga

Even though the Bundesliga is known for producing up and coming talents in world football, there are a number of veterans of yesteryear who are still employed in one of European football's biggest league and finding a home in the German top flight. Not all of them are exactly lighting it up, but a few of them are quietly important players for some of the top clubs in the Bundesliga. Here are five icons of world football you have probably heard of who are currently flying under the radar in the Bundesliga. Bayer Leverkusen RM Lucas Vazquez Although Lucas Vazquez may not come to your mind as a superstar player, he won a whopping five Champions League titles and an additional four La Liga crowns for Real Madrid as one of the most decorated players in the history of European football. ...
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Is Jude Bellingham overrated?
24Jan By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

Is Jude Bellingham overrated?

It has been a topsy turvy 2025/26 season for Real Madrid in La Liga, and while they are still in the league title race, they have already lost out on two major trophies in the Spanish Supercup and Copa del Rey. For any other club, the situation would not have been a sackable offense for manager Xabi Alonso, but the players had already turned on the new manager mere months - or even less - into his reign. One of those players pinpointed by fans as part of the mutiny against Alonso was Jude Bellingham, who is no stranger to being a target of media criticism. A lot of the personal dislike has bled into Bellingham being called "overrated". So let's analyze how true that is. Is Jude Bellingham overrated? Why do people say that? And how good is Jude actually? Why people say Jude Bellin...
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Ballon d’Or Power Rankings after Real Madrid trounce Barcelona in El Clasico
28Oct By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Rankings

Ballon d’Or Power Rankings after Real Madrid trounce Barcelona in El Clasico

Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe were the heroes again, as Real Madrid got their revenge on Barcelona for four straight Clasico defeats in 2024/25 to remain top dogs in the 2025/26 La Liga table with a 2-1 win over the Blaugrana. Here are the latest Ballon d'Or power rankings after the narrative-turning El Clasico. 5. Manchester City ST Erling Haaland Erling Haaland has been the biggest star in the Premier League again this season, and you really have to wonder where Manchester City would be at this point in the campaign and in the table without the Norwegian sensation bagging 11 goals in 9 games. 4. Barcelona RW Lamine Yamal While Lamine Yamal was a bit disappointing in El Clasico, we are still talking about the most electrifying winger in the world with a whopping five dribbles c...
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