Analysis

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...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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. ...
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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...
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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 ...
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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...
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Brighton’s predicted best XI with Mats Wieffer
5Jul By Cody AcevedaNo Comments
Analysis

Brighton’s predicted best XI with Mats Wieffer

Brighton are set to sign Feyenoord midfielder Mats Wieffer. The 24-year-old was one of the best young players in the Eredivisie and has the potential to be one of Premier League’s best midfielders. For Brighton, Wieffer gives the Seagulls physicality in their midfield that they severely missed last season after selling Moises Caicedo. He was second in the league for blocks and in the top ten for interceptions, tackles, and dribblers tackled.  Wieffer’s passing ability is also very impressive. He ranked in the top ten for passes into the final third, progressive passes, and for a number of other passing metrics. This was mostly due to Arne Slot’s system, but Wieffer was key to that system, so I can’t knock him too much.  Here’s how new Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler’s system coul...
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Brighton fans get highly optimistic update on futures of two stars primed for potential exit
4Jul By Cody AcevedaNo Comments
Analysis

Brighton fans get highly optimistic update on futures of two stars primed for potential exit

Deniz Undav and Pascal Groß looked sure to leave Brighton this summer. Now, it seems like the Seagulls’ two star Germans might be sticking around for at least another season.  Brighton Technical Director David Weir told The Athletic that the club’s chances of holding onto both Undav and Groß are “very high.” “They are contracted to Brighton and they are players that have done well for us,” Weir said, “hey are two players that we are expecting to be back with us and looking forward to being part of our squad. A lot of things have been written and said, but ultimately nothing has changed from our perspective.” The former Scotland international also revealed that Brighton’s new manager Fabian Hürzeler has already spoken to Undav and Groß.  “They are players we really like, Fabian ...
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Are West Ham willing to pay what it takes to sign a true top CB?
4Jul By Cody AcevedaNo Comments
Analysis

Are West Ham willing to pay what it takes to sign a true top CB?

West Ham have launched an ambitious plan to sign one of the most in-demand center backs in Europe. The Hammers have reportedly bid €35m for Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo.  Sky Sports has reported that the bid was rejected. Other outlets claim Nice will hold out for €50m or more. West Ham’s current record record signing is Lucas Paquetá, who they signed from Lyonnais for around €60m.  Betting scandal aside, Paquetá rapidly became one of the best players at his position and helped West Ham reach another level. Todibo has the chance to do the same.  Kurt Zouma and Konstantinos Mavropanos are solid Premier League center backs, but neither are as good with the ball at their feet as Todibo. A player with the Frenchman’s skills will be essential to playing more progressive football under new ...
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