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Ranking the 10 best center midfielders of the 2010s

10Jul

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

Ranking the 10 best center midfielders of the 2010s

Throughout the 2010s, Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi was the most heated debate on the lips of world football fans, but as time has passed and the discussions have become more retrospective, much of the discussion has moved towards the midfield. It isn't just Real Madrid and Barcelona fans getting into it about their elite midfields that dominated the 2010s, as Premier League supporters, Serie A fans, and, of course, the Bayern Munich faithful are wondering where their midfield stars stack up. When looking back at the best center midfielders of the 2010s, it is no surprise to see that the teams that dominated the Champions League that decade - Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich - also dominate this list. It's fair to say that this observation is yet another endorsement ...

Ranking the 10 best Bayern Munich transfers since 2010

9Jul

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

Ranking the 10 best Bayern Munich transfers since 2010

Bayern Munich have turned winning into a tradition, to the point where their success is taken for granted more than at any other club in world football. One of the best-run organizations in professional sports, Bayern's excellence has recently been called into question after a host of rash managerial decisions, poor signings, and dysfunctional executives. But Bayern's track record of success in the 2010s decade speaks for itself, and looking at their list of transfers over the last 15 years provides a clear example of why they achieved consistent Champions League success and perennial Bundesliga dominance. Here are the 10 best transfers in Bayern Munich's recent history since 2010, ranked in order. 10. Leon Goretzka, CM Leon Goretzka helped lead Schalke to an unlikely second-pla...

Ranking the 10 best strikers in Serie A in 2024

8Jul

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

Ranking the 10 best strikers in Serie A in 2024

Here are the 10 best strikers in Serie A right now in 2024 based on a combination of recent success and overall pedigree. 10. Andrea Pinamonti, Sassuolo Andrea Pinamonti has been one of the most perennially disappointing strikers in Italian football because on the basis of talent alone, he should be in the top five of the best strikers in Serie A. Instead, Pinamonti does find himself in the top 10, as he has turned out to be a decent striker in his own right, capable of utter brilliance when inspiration strikers and his best quality comes to the fore. 9. Duvan Zapata, Torino After a poor final season in Bergamo, the iconic Duvan Zapata got a new lease on life in Torino and proceeded to dispatch 12 goals with 4 assists to rebound somewhat and regain his reputation as one of the bette...

Ranking every Manchester United No. 9 of the Premier League era

8Jul

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

Ranking every Manchester United No. 9 of the Premier League era

Although Manchester United have a storied history, the No. 9 is synonymous with just one player, and that is the most important player of the club's past, Sir Bobby Charlton. In the Premier League era, the No. 9 kit has been given to some high-profile transfers, but, in many ways, it has bounced around since 1992, with even the likes of Paul Scholes and Roy Keane donning it. More recently, Manchester United have tried giving the iconic shirt to players like Anthony Martial and Romelu Lukaku after they were marquee signings, but neither ended up panning out. Big-name short-term signings like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Radamel Falcao have worn the No. 9 kit, too, but they made even less of an impact at Old Trafford. Here are the five strikers who wore the No. 9 at Manchester United a...

Ranking the 11 best young center midfielders in world football right now in 2024

7Jul

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

Ranking the 11 best young center midfielders in world football right now in 2024

It isn't easy for a young player under the age of 23 to make a major impact in the center midfield positions, because it's a position that requires a combination of technical quality, tactical intelligence, defensive grit, energy, work rate, veteran know-how, and all-around footballing quality. Here are 10 young players under the age of 23 who have been standouts for their clubs in midfield. To be considered one of the best young center midfielders in the world, a player must be a 6 or an 8 and cannot only play as a 10. Players who are No. 10 playmakers but have a past history of success as a 6 or 8 are able to qualify for this list, because they have shown a history of success in this role. 11. Johnny Cardoso, Real Betis Johnny Cardoso is the least-known name on this list outside ...

Ranking the 10 best center backs in world football right now in 2024

7Jul

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

Ranking the 10 best center backs in world football right now in 2024

The center back position is becoming more of a premium position in world football these days with elite European clubs trying to lock down the world's best attacking players. Here are the 10 best center backs in the world right now in 2024. 10. Giorgio Scalvini, Atalanta Atalanta star Giorgio Scalvini gets overlooked because of all the top-class defensive talent in Serie A, and Atalanta tend to get a whole lot less press than, say, Juventus or Inter Milan. Furthermore, it doesn't help that Bologna star Riccardo Calafiori is the young Italian center back soaking up all the media attention and social media fanposts. That's for good reason, but before Euro 2024, Scalvini was seen as THE young center back to watch in Italian football after putting together a second excellent season ...

Manchester United Women sign one of the world’s most proven center backs

6Jul

By khushibhindeNo Comments

Analysis

Manchester United Women sign one of the world’s most proven center backs

Manchester United Women have pulled off a major coup with the signing of Dutch international Dominique Janssen. The experienced defender brings a wealth of winning pedigree and leadership to the Red Devils' backline. Janssen, known for her rock-solid defending and calm presence on the pitch, has enjoyed a trophy-laden career. After a successful stint with Arsenal in the FA Women's Super League, where she lifted the league title alongside the FA Cup and League Cup, she moved to German giants VfL Wolfsburg. In Germany, she continued her trophy haul, adding two Frauen Bundesliga titles and three DFB-Pokal wins to her impressive collection. On the international stage, Janssen has been a mainstay for the Netherlands, playing a key role in their 2017 European Championship triumph. ...

Chelsea Women land one of the world’s best forwards

6Jul

By khushibhindeNo Comments

Analysis

Chelsea Women land one of the world’s best forwards

Chelsea fans, rejoice! The wait is over. French forward Sandy Baltimore has officially signed for the Blues, solidifying their position as a powerhouse in women's football. Baltimore, a 24-year-old speedy winger, has spent her entire professional career at Paris Saint-Germain. Rising through the ranks at a young age, she quickly established herself as a key player for the club. Her impressive trophy haul includes a Division 1 Féminine title, ending Lyon's dominance in 2020-21, and a Champions League final appearance in 2017. Known for her electrifying acceleration, dribbling skills, and a knack for scoring crucial goals, Baltimore has earned 28 caps for the French national team. This move to Chelsea is a clear sign of Baltimore's ambition. After a trophy-laden career at PSG, sh...

Brighton Women are signing one of the biggest legends in the game

6Jul

By Cody AcevedaNo Comments

Analysis

Brighton Women are signing one of the biggest legends in the game

Earlier this year, Fran Kirby announced that after nearly a decade at Chelsea, she would be leaving the club. This week, the legendary midfielder revealed where she will be playing next. Brighton Women confirmed on Thursday that they had signed Fran Kirby on a free transfer. This is a massive coup for the Seagulls. Kirby is one of the best British women’s footballers of all time. She played an instrumental part in turning Chelsea into the women’s football powerhouse that they are today. In the 2020/21 season, she was a part of the Chelsea side that won England’s first ever domestic quadruple. A year later, Kirby started all seven of England’s Euro 2022 matches, helping the Lionesses win their first European Championship. Two of those matches were at the Amex Stadium, the home ...

Chelsea might be trying to poach Brighton’s most valuable transfer commodity

6Jul

By Cody AcevedaNo Comments

Analysis

Chelsea might be trying to poach Brighton’s most valuable transfer commodity

After gazumping Brighton to the signing of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall earlier in the transfer window, Chelsea are now considering signing one of the Seagulls’ best players. According to transfer reporter Ben Jacobs, the Blues “admire” Brighton left winger Kaoru Mitoma. Given that seemingly three quarters of the Stamford Bridge front office worked at Brighton before joining Chelsea, this is not surprising. However, it would be a slightly outside-the-box signing for the Blues given the other players they have been linked with. As Jacobs explained, Chelsea are looking at a number of young left-sided attackers. Leeds United’s Crysencio Summerville, who has also been linked to Brighton, is one of Chelsea’s top transfer targets. 19-year-old Club Brugge winger Antonio Nusa and breakout Ukra...