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.

2025/26 Premier League Player of the Season Power Rankings after Matchday 30
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Rankings

2025/26 Premier League Player of the Season Power Rankings after Matchday 30

Who has been the best player of the 2025/26 Premier League season thus far? After 30 Matchdays played, it's time to rank the top five, accounting for players at all positions. 5. Newcastle CM Bruno Guimaraes Antoine Semenyo was fabulous for Bournemouth and is scoring goals for Manchester City, but, in all honesty, Newcastle's metronome Bruno Guimaraes has been even more impressive. Even though he is an all arounder with 2.2 tackles per game and 2.3 fouls drawn per match, the workhorse Brazilian has still been exceptional creatively with four assists and 1.7 key passes per game while scoring nine goals. There is nothing this man cannot do for Newcastle. 4. Arsenal CB Gabriel Magalhaes By far the best center back in a league filled with great center backs, including quite a few on his...
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Mikel Arteta confirms two brutal Arsenal injury news updates vs. Bayer Leverkusen
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Injury News

Mikel Arteta confirms two brutal Arsenal injury news updates vs. Bayer Leverkusen

Arsenal are set to battle Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday night at the Emirates after a poor performance in the first leg in which they drew in Germany 1-1. It will not get any easier for the Gunners either, as manager Mikel Arteta confirmed to reporters at the press conference before the game, via Sam C, that both captain Martin Odegaard and starting right back Jurrien Timber will be out. Odegaard has been slowed by injuries all season and has not played since facing Tottenham Hotspur in late February for about 13 minutes. He is a huge miss for Arsenal, as the team are not as confident or creative in possession without his presence between the lines. Hopefully, he can return soon. But on form, Timber is arguably a bigger loss. He ...
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2026 Champions League picks, score predictions for Round of 16 second leg
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

2026 Champions League picks, score predictions for Round of 16 second leg

The Champions League Round of 16 definitely delivered on the drama and the goals in the first leg, and the second leg promises to be even better. Here are the full score predictions for each of the eight games. Chelsea 2-2 PSG Chelsea will rue Liam Rosenior's decision to give Filip Jorgensen the nod, and the most laughable part of that whole ordeal is that the manager's reasoning was that Jorgensen would be better on the ball. Whoops. At home, Chelsea will have a point to prove and will go into this game with no fear, but they just do not have the quality to turn the tie around against a PSG side that is finally starting to play to its talent level when it matters most. Liverpool 2-1 Galatasaray Trips to Istanbul are never easy, and while Liverpool have major issues with their squad...
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Chelsea get horrendous Reece James injury news
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Injury News

Chelsea get horrendous Reece James injury news

Chelsea are reeling after tough losses to two quality opponents in important games, first falling 5-2 to PSG in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg before getting blanketed 1-0 by Newcastle in a putrid Premier League display. Now, things are getting even worse for the Blues on the injury front, as Simon Johnson of The Athletic reports that veteran right back (and center midfielder) Reece James suffered a hamstring injury against the Magpies and will reportedly have to miss several weeks. That means James is obviously out for the crucial second leg against PSG, almost dooming the Blues to an early Champions League exit. But he could also miss games against Manchester City and Manchester United if his absence extends far enough into April. Malo Gusto is one of the best right ...
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Real Madrid get tremendous Alvaro Carreras injury news
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Injury News

Real Madrid get tremendous Alvaro Carreras injury news

Real Madrid are gearing up for the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against new rivals Manchester City, holding a 3-0 lead on aggregate after an insane hat trick from center midfielder Fede Valverde. Ferland Mendy put in a great shift at left back with Alvaro Carreras still out injured, but the Frenchman himself suffered yet another injury in the result, taking him out of the Elche game, which Fran Garcia ably started. But Fran won't have to be stressed about getting exposed by a tougher Man City side, as COPE journalist Miguel Angel Diaz reports that the new signing and main starter Alvaro is expected to be ready for the Man City match. If he is in good shape, Alvaro is almost certain to start. He has been a massive upgrade offensively over Mendy and defensively ove...
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Chelsea have a creative Mykhaylo Mudryk transfer solution
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Chelsea have a creative Mykhaylo Mudryk transfer solution

Although he was provisionally banned for up to four years for his urine testing positive for a banned substance in 2024, Chelsea winger Mykhaylo Mudryk appears to be close to returning to football. When he does, the Blues have an intriguing plan for the 25 year old. Per a report from French outlet L'Equipe, Chelsea could possibly loan the Ukrainian international to their partner club Strasbourg in Ligue 1. Mudryk obviously would not have a place upon the Chelsea main squad upon his return. Even though the left wing position is still a problem for the Blues, Mudryk was never polished enough to start for them even before accounting for the rust of not playing for a while. There is also the belief that there is still something special about Mudryk that can be cultivated with his rare...
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Real Madrid lose another defender for Manchester City clash
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Injury News

Real Madrid lose another defender for Manchester City clash

Real Madrid center back Raul Asencio survived a cervical injury scare against Benfica in the Champions League, but he has been out since March 7 against Celta Vigo with a muscular overload. Asencio was thus held out of the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Manchester City, as well as the last La Liga encounter over the weekend against Elche. Now, ESPN's Rodra reports that Asencio will be out of the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 as well. That makes the defense that much thinner going up against Erling Haaland, with Eder Militao still likely out. Real have been hit hard again by injuries this season, especially in defense. Hopefully, Asencio will be ready for the Atletico Madrid clash, but it is better to avoid aggravation than rush the young cen...
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Manchester United’s No. 1 transfer target is coming into focus
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Transfer News

Manchester United’s No. 1 transfer target is coming into focus

Everyone knows that Manchester United need to overhaul their midfield this summer transfer window, having already successfully overhauled their attack in summer 2025. There are a number of credible options on Man United's radar, and there is every chance that the Red Devils go ahead and bag two players this offseason, especially if Casemiro ends up walking. Per a new report from Nathan Salt of the Daily Mail, the center midfielder at the very top of the Manchester United transfer wish list is none other than Nottingham Forest breakout man Elliot Anderson. That should come as no surprise. Though players like Adam Wharton and Sandro Tonali are also excellent and could even join Man United in conjunction with the Forest star, Anderson brings the all around quality and robust athletic...
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Chelsea fans will be saying ‘I told you so’ to Todd Boehly after latest Liam Rosenior news
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
News

Chelsea fans will be saying ‘I told you so’ to Todd Boehly after latest Liam Rosenior news

Chelsea are on a bit of a slide after tough losses to Newcastle and PSG, showing that new manager Liam Rosenior is having an issue matching the tactical acumen of top managers and clubs. Rosenior has frustrated Chelsea fans with basic decision making errors, such as benching one of his best players this season, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, for one of his worst in Filip Jorgensen. Consequences may be coming early for a manager hired just a couple of months ago. According to a report from Sky Sports Switzerland insider Sacha Tavolieri, several sources close to Chelsea are relaying serious concerns that Rosenior is not the right man to lead the team going forward. There are even several high profile voices in the front office who are predicting that the former Strasbourg manager will n...
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Fans will love Real Madrid’s plan for Kylian Mbappe vs. Manchester City
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Injury News

Fans will love Real Madrid’s plan for Kylian Mbappe vs. Manchester City

Kylian Mbappe is set to return from another absence due to a recurring left knee issue, but now that he is rested and healed up, he will be a part of the squad against Manchester City this week for the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16. According to a report from journalist Jose Luis Sanchez, Mbappe may not play even though he is available. Because if the match is going well, Real do not plan on risking Mbappe, and they are instead leaving him in as an option in case they truly need him. Without Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, Madrid still destroyed Man City 3-0 behind a hat trick from Fede Valverde, so chances are they do not need him in the second leg, which means extra rest for the Frenchman before Atletico Madrid. It is a sensible strategy from the Merengues. Rest Mba...
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