Author: Joe Soriano

Ranking the 10 best Dortmund players of all time
27Aug By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Bundesliga, Features

Ranking the 10 best Dortmund players of all time

Although to many in the mainstream, Borussia Dortmund are the club that just can't help but keep coming short to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, fans of German football understand that Die Schwarzgelben are a powerhouse in their own right, even if they have been in another difficult period since losing Robert Lewandowski to their rivals for free. Dortmund produce some of the world's greatest footballers, with arguably the two best players on the planet right now, Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham, being BVB products. However, Dortmund's best teams have been about the collective rather than young superstars, with the sides from the late 90s and early 2010s standing out as some of the most special in European football over the last few decades. Stars of those teams will be represe...
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Ranking the 10 best left backs in men’s football right now in 2023
1Jul By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Champions League, Features

Ranking the 10 best left backs in men’s football right now in 2023

Fullbacks are easy to overlook, but they are becoming increasingly vital in the modern game, especially to elite teams who have possession of the ball and need additional width. They need that width to both free space for the attackers in the middle and to offer additional venues for chance creation. Left backs tend to be scarcer than right backs for the simple fact that there are fewer left-footers. So having a game-breaking left back who can defend well while still creating a high volume of quality chances is the dream of every top team. And some clubs, like Juventus and Real Madrid, have found a proper solution to be difficult. So here are the best left backs in the world today, with this list subject to updates and changes as performances fluctuate and breakout stars emerge...
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Ranking the 10 best right backs in men’s football right now in 2023
1Jul By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Champions League, Features

Ranking the 10 best right backs in men’s football right now in 2023

The right back position may be one of the most overlooked in world football, but just ask clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and, most recently, Napoli what having an elite right-sided defender can do for a team. An elite right back can rule an entire flank with composed defending, quality passing in the build-up, supportive runs for the attackers, and game-changing assists via their crossing. So in honor of the right back and many of the unsung heroes who ply their trade at this position, let's take a closer look at the best players in the world who man the right side of the formation. 10. Malo Gusto Malo Gusto joins Christopher Nkunku as another top young talent headed to Chelsea this summer. The 20-year-old will not be the starter in every match, as the Blues alre...
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What Liverpool fans should know about Dominik Szoboszlai’s playing style and strengths
30Jun By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Features, Premier League

What Liverpool fans should know about Dominik Szoboszlai’s playing style and strengths

Liverpool made one of the bargain signings of the summer when they signed Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister for just 35 million pounds due to a release clause, bringing in a much-needed player who was among the best in the league at any position last season. And now, the Reds have added another top-class midfielder who was one of the best players in his league last season, taking further advantage of a release clause. Though this time, Liverpool will have to pony up a bit more. They have decided to meet the 70 million euro release clause for RB Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai, paying a steep price for a 22-year-old player who is already one of the best in the world at impacting the final score of a game. So here are some things Liverpool fans should know about this talented ...
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Ranking the 10 best attacking midfielders in men’s football right now in 2023
30Jun By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Features

Ranking the 10 best attacking midfielders in men’s football right now in 2023

Although the modern game has seemingly phased out the No. 10, there are still plenty of footballers finding ways to make an impact in the attacking midfield, either playing there in a scheme with two flexible attacking mids or moving up into that area of the pitch from a 4-3-3. And even still, there are a few 10's getting to play in that traditional CAM role regularly, such as Bruno Fernandes, or in certain systems based on opponent, such as Paulo Dybala. So in honor of this wonderful position and the creators who inspire us to try out some killer through passes on our local community pitch, let's rank the best attacking midfielders in world football right now. We'll leave out players who primarily play as an 8 or on the wing and stick to only players who have frequently earned mi...
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Ranking the 10 best forwards in men’s football right now in 2023
29Jun By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Features

Ranking the 10 best forwards in men’s football right now in 2023

No players are more coveted in world football than the forwards who score the goals, take the defense on, and create the chances that win matches. Every elite club needs an elite forward - and really two - in order to compete at the highest level and truly be an elite team at the Champions League level. So let's take a look at the 10 best forwards in the game, focusing on strikers and wingers whose primary job is to score the goals and create the assists that win their teams' matches. Many of these players are strikers and inverted wingers, because those are the positions that make the biggest difference on the score line in the modern game. 10. Christopher Nkunku Christopher Nkunku will head to Chelsea for the 2023/24 season after being the best Bundesliga player over the last three ...
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3 problems with Manchester United signing Mason Mount
29Jun By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Features, Premier League

3 problems with Manchester United signing Mason Mount

Manchester United have secured their first major signing of the summer 2023 transfer window. After aggressively pursuing Chelsea star midfielder Mason Mount for weeks, they finally agreed to terms with the Blues, who were stretching out the negotiations for just a little bit more money. Ultimately, the Red Devils will spend 55 million pounds plus an additional 5 million pounds in add-ons to sign Mount, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein. Mount is one of the bigger names in the Premier League and was crucial in Chelsea winning the 2020/21 Champions League. However, there are some valid concerns Manchester United fans should have about the cost of this deal and the way Mount fits the squad. Let's take a closer look at three of those concerns. These problems are not highlight...
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29Jun By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Features, Premier League

Why the Declan Rice transfer fee is worth it for Arsenal

Arsenal have turned heads by making one of the most expensive signings of the summer 2023 transfer window, spending 105 million pounds in an up-front fee and add-ons in order to sign Declan Rice from West Ham United. Such a hefty fee for a midfielder is bound to draw criticism, and it necessitates taking a closer look at the reasoning behind Arsenal making such a transfer. As we saw with their success last season in pushing Manchester City for the Premier League title, this squad was not built haphazardly, nor have Mikel Arteta and Maurice Edu made unnecessary gambles on the transfer market. So let's explain why the 100 million pound up-front transfer fee for Declan Rice is a worthy investment by Arsenal as they look to return to the summit of European football in 2023 and beyond. A...
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A possible Arsenal starting lineup with Kai Havertz and Declan Rice
28Jun By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Features, Premier League

A possible Arsenal starting lineup with Kai Havertz and Declan Rice

Arsenal have reportedly closed the signings of two of the best young players in not just the Premier League but in world football as a whole. Kai Havertz joins from Chelsea after two disappointing seasons, but before that, he was the attacking hero of the side that won the 2020/21 Champions League. And even before that, he was one of the most touted young players in world football for Bayer Leverkusen, which is what earned him an 80 million euro transfer to the Blues in the first place. Arsenal, by the way, will be paying about five million euros less than that for his services. Meanwhile, Declan Rice was an even bigger target for the Gunners and will cost more accordingly. One of the best center midfielders in the world, Rice will set Arsenal back 100 million pounds plus an addit...
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A possible Tottenham starting lineup with James Maddison and Harry Kane
28Jun By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Features, Premier League

A possible Tottenham starting lineup with James Maddison and Harry Kane

Tottenham have a new manager leading the ship in Ange Postecoglu, who arrives in North London at just the right time. Postecoglu earned a reputation for putting the fans, players, and club first at Celtic. He got the most out of his young talent and provided an environment in which they could thrive. Although Antonio Conte is one of the best managers of his time, the impulsive and demanding coach never quite fit what Spurs needed. Postecoglu, on paper, is perfect for the project Tottenham want. Already, Spurs have made two signings in Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and Leicester City star James Maddison, spending 40 million pounds to secure the signature of the latter to upgrade a talented-but-inconsistent attack. The most recent signing of Maddison is perhaps the most intrig...
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