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.

Ranking the 10 best teenagers in the Premier League right now
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Rankings

Ranking the 10 best teenagers in the Premier League right now

The young talents coming up in the Premier League are getting better and better despite all the talk of the decline in overall quality. Here are the 10 best teenagers you need to know right now. 10. Mateus Mane, Wolves 18 year old midfielder Mateus Mane is drawing rave reviews and transfer interest from several Big Six clubs. He is a raw talent but has serious upside with his quality on the ball and ability to progress play, standing out among his peers with three dribbles completed and fouls drawn per game. 9. Ayden Heaven, Manchester United It isn't easy for young center backs to get a crack, and Ayden Heaven is being eased along by Manchester United. But he is so good that many Red Devils supporters feel he has the same upside, if not more, than another young phenom in Leny Yoro. 8...
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Real Madrid fans will be worried about one of their expected starters vs. Manchester City
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
News

Real Madrid fans will be worried about one of their expected starters vs. Manchester City

Real Madrid have a commanding 3-0 lead in the Champions League Round of 16 against rivals Manchester City, but out of all teams in world football, the Merengues know that no lead can be taken for granted in Europe's premier club competition. Although Alvaro Carreras is finally set to be in the squad for Real Madrid after missing a few games with an injury, the starting left back may not actually be the starter on Tuesday night. With Ferland Mendy also injured, COPE reports that Fran Garcia, who started at the weekend against Elche, could very well be the starting left back Alvaro Arbeloa has to turn to vs. Manchester City. Fran is not a bad player, but he is clearly not as confident and a cut below Alvaro and Mendy at left back. He was great this weekend, stepping up huge in a mas...
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Real Madrid have called up yet another youth gem to the first team
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
News

Real Madrid have called up yet another youth gem to the first team

Real Madrid are gearing up to face Manchester City in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16, and manager Alvaro Arbeloa continues to show that he is not afraid to give young players a chance in any game. Thiago Pitarch and Miguel Angel played key roles in the first leg, and over the weekend, Dani Yanez impressed and grabbed an assist in a massive La Liga win over Elche. Now, according to a report from MARCA, one more talented youth player is going to make his first team appearance under Arbeloa for the Man City game, 18 year old center back Mario Rivas. Arbeloa has called Rivas up to the first team for Man City with young center back Rau Asencio, another recent youth academy success, still out injured due to muscular issues.
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Real Madrid get relieving Nico Paz transfer news
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Real Madrid get relieving Nico Paz transfer news

Real Madrid academy graduate Nico Paz has been a rousing success as the center piece player in Cesc Fabregas's Como underdog story, and his status as the best player in Serie A has piqued Real's interest in bringing him back. But it also piqued the interest of Inter Milan in signing him as a dream target away from under Real's noses, as the Serie A leaders are getting a front row seat to Paz dismantling Italian defenses. Recently, Paz had dinner with Inter Milan legend and current Vice President Javier Zanetti, which fanned the flames and speculation of a surprise move to the Nerazzurri instead of the Real Madrid move everyone was reporting. According to Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, though, it looks like people were, once again, jumping the gun. Per Cortegana, Paz's dinner wit...
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‘His best quality’ – Alvaro Arbeloa says what everyone needs to hear about Kylian Mbappe
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
News

‘His best quality’ – Alvaro Arbeloa says what everyone needs to hear about Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe is soon ready to return to the first team squad after being shut down for a few weeks after dealing with recurring pain in his left knee. Mbappe is one of the favorites to win the Ballon d'Or a year after winning the European Golden Shoe, both scoring and creating at a high level as the clear superstar among all the superstars at the Santiago Bernabeu. Prior to the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Manchester City, Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa took some time in the press conference to single out the Frenchman and gas him up for his best quality, his intelligence. Arbeloa said of Mbappe, via the Madrid Zone, "Mbappé is an incredibly intelligent player. To me, that's his best quality, on top of all other amazing qualities ...
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Fabrizio Romano has more great transfer news for Arsenal fans
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Fabrizio Romano has more great transfer news for Arsenal fans

Arsenal have their midfield and defense beefed up to being the best in the Premier League, and they are favorites to win the title. But while they are still after Sandro Tonali in the middle of the park, the Gunners know their main focus will be building up their attack more in order to stay on top. After signing Viktor Gyokeres last summer, Arsenal still need more talent up top, both at striker and on the wings. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners want to sign an attacker or two depending on who leaves. The most high profile departures will likely be Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Martinelli. Arsenal are a slam dunk to sign a left winger and another striker to pair with Gyokeres, as the right wing is already full after bringing on Noni Madueke last summer to back...
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Real Madrid are ready to sell center midfielder
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Real Madrid are ready to sell center midfielder

Every year, there are transfer rumors regarding Dani Ceballos, yet every year, he manages to stay at Real Madrid due to a lack of depth at the position. But maybe this is the summer Real part ways with a reliable, solid veteran player for something more. According to a report from Jorge C. Picon, Real Madrid want to sell Ceballos this summer, and he would reportedly move back to his former La Liga club Real Betis in a heartbeat. We have seen the Ceballos to Betis rumors before, but it feels more real this year. Real Madrid have lost Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, but with Miguel Angel and Thiago Pitarch coming up the youth ranks, a sea of change is in the air for younger players. Ceballos has helped Real in a pinch these last few years and was crucial in two Champions League campaign...
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2025/26 Premier League Top 4 Predictions after Matchday 30
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Rankings

2025/26 Premier League Top 4 Predictions after Matchday 30

While the Premier League title race obviously gets the most attention, the top four race is incredibly compelling again this season. Here is a predicted top four of who is locked in for the Champions League next season after 30 Matchdays played. 4. Manchester United Manchester United are a legitimate threat under Michael Carrick, and while some cracks have begun to show, most prominently against another strong team in Newcastle United, the Red Devils are a very strong team, led by Premier League Player of the Season favorite Bruno Fernandes. What makes Man United so good is how much they have improved on offense over the summer, and once their injury crisis resolves, they should be able to sew up at least a fourth placed finish. 3. Liverpool Liverpool need more out of their wingers,...
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Mikel Arteta offers a tidbit of great Martin Odegaard injury news
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Injury News

Mikel Arteta offers a tidbit of great Martin Odegaard injury news

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been missed badly due to continued knee problems, which are a chronic issue for him and have most recently kept him out for several games since the end of February. Although Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the blow that Odegaard will miss the decisive second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against German upstarts Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night, he did have some better news on the Norwegian superstar. Arteta told reporters at the press conference before Leverkusen, via AFC Xtra, “Martin Ødegaard is pushing hard to be ready for the Carabao Cup final on Sunday." That is massive, massive news for Arsenal is Odegaard can be out there on Sunday for the League Cup Final against Manchester City, who are also their top Premier League ti...
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Barcelona fans get heartwarming Joao Cancelo transfer news
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Barcelona fans get heartwarming Joao Cancelo transfer news

FC Barcelona reunited with versatile fullback Joao Cancelo this winter transfer window, signing the veteran Portuguese international on loan from Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal. Already, Cancelo is usurping Alejandro Balde on the left side, potentially even pushing Deco to transfer the left back. His ability to play on both sides of the formation is exactly what Barca needed as an experienced, more attacking option on the flanks. The path to making him a permanent signing is now easier. According to a report from Diario Sport, Cancelo is pushing to convince the Barcelona decision makers to make his loan move from Saudi Arabia permanent. Cancelo reportedly wants to forego a large portion of his current salary with Al-Hilal in order to facilitate a permanent transfer to Catalunya,...
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