Author: Joe Soriano

The top-class defender Real Madrid should have signed but foolishly chose not to
11Nov By Joe SorianoNo Comments
LaLiga

The top-class defender Real Madrid should have signed but foolishly chose not to

Real Madrid have the worst defense of any top club in world football right now, as they came into the season with a shorthanded back line after an inexcusably poor summer window that only the most shameless of Florentino Perez fanboys could have justified. And as literally everyone with a healthy amount of skepticism, perhaps even Carlo Ancelotti himself, could have predicted, Real Madrid are in crisis mode defensively after more injuries ravaged their back line. First, it was Dani Carvajal who exited the season with a torn ACL, and, now, Real Madrid are without their best center back after Eder Militao tore his ACL against Osasuna. Real Madrid only have one healthy senior center back in Antonio Rudiger, they have no senior right backs, and their left back situation is simply unte...
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Arsenal learn the truth about Benjamin Sesko’s release clause and expected transfer fee
11Nov By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Premier League

Arsenal learn the truth about Benjamin Sesko’s release clause and expected transfer fee

Arsenal should have signed a top-class striker last summer, and with every grand performance by Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, a section of the fanbase grows increasingly frustrated while watching the Gunners throw away their best chance at winning the Premier League title. But in fairness to Arsenal, they did try to sign a great young striker this past summer in Benjamin Sesko, but he ultimately decided to stay with RB Leipzig for another season. Part of that reason is because Arsenal didn't do nearly enough to convince Sesko to sign despite the massive need for a fox in the box with a towering presence who can score 20 goals in a season; they wouldn't even grant him more playing time than Kai Havertz, who is not even a real striker. Arsenal will need to get serious about sign...
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Manchester United want to poach Chelsea’s most respected star
11Nov By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Premier League

Manchester United want to poach Chelsea’s most respected star

Manchester United have shown more ambition in the first few months under INEOS than they have in the past few years under the Glazers, though they did make the mistake of entrusting the start of their era to Erik ten Hag, who had led the club to its worst finish in the Premier League era last season. Nevertheless, Manchester United have righted their wrong by firing Ten Hag and giving the future to Ruben Amorim, one of the most acclaimed up-and-coming managers in world football. Amorim has a talented squad to work with, as the club signed Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro this past summer to add to a core that already included Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo, Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot...
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West Ham’s saving grace comes into focus after another poor performance vs. Everton
11Nov By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Premier League

West Ham’s saving grace comes into focus after another poor performance vs. Everton

With the possible exceptions of Wolves and Crystal Palace, who are both literally in relegation places, there hasn't been a more disappointing team to start the 2024/25 Premier League season than West Ham. Despite an offseason filled with signings, the Hammers are no better than they were last season and may be even worse, as they currently sit in 14th place under new manager Julen Lopetegui. The former Real Madrid coaching flop is already on the hot seat in London, and the only thing keeping him from being canned is a worry internally of starting a revolving door coaching carousel. West Ham suffered another poor result this past weekend, drawing 0-0 to yearly relegation candidates Everton in what can only be described as another lifeless display from this Lopetegui-coached side. ...
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Liverpool’s best player against Real Madrid won’t even be Mohamed Salah
11Nov By Joe SorianoNo Comments
LaLiga, Premier League

Liverpool’s best player against Real Madrid won’t even be Mohamed Salah

Liverpool are unequivocally the best team in the Premier League right now, having just carved up fellow Champions League side Aston Villa 2-0 behind another inspired performance from the league's best player, Mohamed Salah. The Reds have been a juggernaut this season under Arne Slot, and you could argue that only the Hansi Flick-led La Liga leaders Barcelona have been more impressive in all of European football. Yes, Liverpool have been even better than La Liga's second-best team, Real Madrid, because Los Blancos really haven't been very good at all this season, even after signing Kylian Mbappe and Endrick. Real Madrid have had trouble integrating their new stars, with Mbappe earning widespread criticism for a horrendous performance against Barcelona in what amounted to a 4-0 blow...
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Barcelona could have a world-class attacking signing in the bag
11Nov By Joe SorianoNo Comments
LaLiga

Barcelona could have a world-class attacking signing in the bag

Barcelona have the most electrifying attack in world football right now, as Hansi Flick has his side on a record-breaking pace, returning the Blaugrana to their status as the most entertaining team to watch in this sport. That's been the benchmark Barcelona have missed since the days of MSN, and, statistically speaking, Barcelona are off to a hotter start with the trio of Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Lamine Yamal. But even as Raphinha has broken out as a Ballon d'Or candidate this season under Flick, matching Lewandowski and Yamal in quality, the Blaugrana are eyeing an even bigger attacking signing than the bold summer 2024 gamble on RB Leipzig man Dani Olmo. With Lewandowski still going strong, Barcelona are pivoting away from Joan Laporta's original dream of signing Manche...
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The uncomfortable truth about Real Madrid signing Aymeric Laporte
10Nov By Joe SorianoNo Comments
LaLiga

The uncomfortable truth about Real Madrid signing Aymeric Laporte

Real Madrid are in dire need of center back help this winter, as Eder Militao has suffered a torn ACL yet again, leaving only Antonio Rudiger as an experienced option in central defense. Raul Asencio looked good in his debut relief of Militao against Osasuna, recording an assist while helping the Merengues keep a clean sheet, but Real Madrid can't possibly go into the thick of the Champions League campaign and La Liga title race with only Asencio and Rudiger as options. Although Sergio Ramos has been linked to Real Madrid as an immediate center back signing, the current free agent looks like an unrealistic option due to the club's desire to only sign players for the future. RB Leipzig standout Castello Lukeba looks like the favorite to join Real Madrid in January, but with a need ...
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Real Madrid won’t pursue the most obvious center back upgrade
10Nov By Joe SorianoNo Comments
LaLiga

Real Madrid won’t pursue the most obvious center back upgrade

Desperation doesn't even begin to describe the feeling that should be reverberating around the walls of the Valdebebas after Real Madrid lost their best defender to a season-ending ACL tear on Saturday against Osasuna. For the second straight season, Eder Militao is down for the count, joining the club's only other elite defensive option, Dani Carvajal, on the injured list with a torn ACL. And with Lucas Vazquez injured for a weeks, too, with David Alaba still on the shelf from his own ACL tear last year, Real Madrid have dwindling options across their back line. As it stands right now, Antonio Rudiger is their only healthy senior center back, the club doesn't have a single option at right back besides Castilla talent Jesus Fortea, and the left back position remains a revolving do...
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Liverpool could sign Europe’s most underrated CB at a discount price
10Nov By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Premier League

Liverpool could sign Europe’s most underrated CB at a discount price

Liverpool have arguably the world's best defensive partnership in Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, and both men have been fantastic this season with the Reds sitting firmly in first place in the Premier League. If it weren't for Barcelona's record numbers in attack, more and more people around the world would be talking about Liverpool as the Champions League favorites, as new manager Arne Slot has gotten the most out of his personnel. Although Liverpool are set with their starters at center back and aren't desperate for any additions, they have been wisely staying plugged in for young central defenders who could one day step into Van Dijk's massive shoes. This past summer, Liverpool were among the elite teams interested in teenage phenom Leny Yoro, but they ultimately decided...
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Real Madrid are about to take drastic measures at center back
10Nov By Joe SorianoNo Comments
LaLiga

Real Madrid are about to take drastic measures at center back

Real Madrid were able to keep a clean sheet in their latest La Liga game after surrendering a combined seven goals to Barcelona and AC Milan, but there was no time to celebrate a strong defensive performance. First of all, Osasuna is Osasuna. Sorry. But second of all and most importantly, Real Madrid lost, by far, their best defensive player of the season to an ACL tear, with Eder Militao suffering the major injury for a second straight season. Antonio Pintus' future should be non-existent after yet another torn ACL a Real Madrid player, but, that point aside, Los Blancos are in serious trouble defensively with Antonio Rudiger as the only healthy, senior first-team center back. Real Madrid didn't sign a center back this past summer. Or the summer before that. Or even in the winter...
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