Analysis

Ranking the 5 best France national team players at Euro 2024
Analysis

Ranking the 5 best France national team players at Euro 2024

England may be the favorites according to the Euro 2024 betting odds, but we all know France are the real main contenders. Les Bleus are two deep at almost every position.  That kind of depth plus genuine world class talent up front and a winning pedigree make France a team no one wants to play.  Here are the five best France national team players you should be watching at Euro 2024. 5. William Saliba Arsenal’s William Saliba was probably the best defender in Europe this season. The 23-year-old played every single minute for the Gunners in the Premier League this season.  He finished fifth in the league for touches and in the top ten for dribbler tackle percentage and pass completion percentage. Only three center backs in the Premier League completed more passes into the opposit...
Ranking the 5 best England players at Euro 2024
Analysis

Ranking the 5 best England players at Euro 2024

England come into the 2024 UEFA European Championship as huge favorites to win it all. When you look at the talent available for the Three Lions, it’s no question why this is the case.  Here are the five best England national team players who will make the difference for England at Euro 2024. If England do finally get the job done and win a major international tournament, it will be because of these players.  5. Bukayo Saka Arsenal’s ‘Star Boy’ has gone from strength to strength since missing a key penalty in England’s loss in the Euro 2020 Final to Italy on penalties.  Saka has been instrumental to Arsenal’s improvement under Mikel Arteta. Without the tricky winger, the Gunners would not have finished second in the Premier League in the last two seasons.  The 22-year-old scored...
Ranking the 5 best Spain players at Euro 2024
Analysis

Ranking the 5 best Spain players at Euro 2024

Spain are one of the biggest favorites heading into Euro 2024. Under manager Luis de la Fuente, La Roja have maintained the dominant possession style they used so well when Luis Enrique was still in charge.  However, this Spain team can play direct, attacking football when they need to. This makes them a much more versatile and dangerous side than the Spain we saw get knocked out by Morocco at the 2022 World Cup.  None of this matters if the players don’t perform well. Here are the best Spain players we’ll be watching at Euro 2024.  5. Álvaro Morata (FW, Atlético Madrid) Álvaro Morata has not had the best of seasons for Atlético Madrid this year. He scored 21 goals, but never truly looked like he deserved being the Colchoneros’ number one option up front. As a result he played jus...
Ranking the 5 best Portugal players at Euro 2024
Analysis

Ranking the 5 best Portugal players at Euro 2024

Very few teams at Euro 2024 have more individual talent than Portugal. A Seleção famously lifted the 2016 European Championship trophy. Since then, they have made it to the Round of 16 or better of every tournament they’ve played in.  Here are the star players Portugal will be relying on this time around.  5. Cristiano Ronaldo (FW, Al Nassr) Love him or hate him, Ronaldo is still one of Portugal’s best players. Whether he’s the best fit for Roberto Martínez’s system is another question.  Ronaldo started just one of Portugal’s three pre-tournament friendlies. He scored two goals in his lone start against Ireland, playing as a part of a front two with AC Milan’s Rafael Leao.  The legendary striker also won the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot, scoring 35 goals in 31 matches.  He mi...
This is what makes Real Madrid the most successful club in the world
Analysis

This is what makes Real Madrid the most successful club in the world

While Real Madrid fans often joke about the Champions League being their competition, I think we can all assume that not even Real Madrid‘s number one member thought that winning the Champions League this season would be a serious possibility. While there was a lot of excitement around the signing of Jude Bellingham, the team would begin the season without a starting striker after Karim Benzema’s departure to Saudi Arabia took even the club’s hierarchy by surprise. It was so unexpected that Real Madrid could only sign Joselu on loan from RCD Espanyol, who had been recently relegated. As the league season was about to begin, things would go from bad to worse after both Thibaut Courtois and Éder Militão ruptured their ACLs in the same week. Later in the season, David Alaba also suffere...
The key reason for Roberto De Zerbi leaving Brighton is as frustrating as it is unsurprising
Analysis

The key reason for Roberto De Zerbi leaving Brighton is as frustrating as it is unsurprising

Roberto De Zerbi’s decision to step down as Brighton manager at the end of the Premier League season shocked the footballing world. We now know exactly why he left, and the reason is not surprising. According to The Athletic’s Andy Naylor, the most reputable reporter for Brighton news, De Zerbi stepped down due to conflicts with club owner Tony Bloom over the club’s recruitment policy. De Zerbi wanted more spending De Zerbi took over a young Brighton team from Graham Potter in September 2022. The Italian led that group to a remarkable 6th place finish and a place in the 2023/24 Europa League. Brighton then sold star midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo to Liverpool and Chelsea, respectively. While the club broke their transfer record to bring in João Pedro Watford,...
Brighton’s best player will make his future decision absolutely agonizing
Analysis

Brighton’s best player will make his future decision absolutely agonizing

After missing out on a top-half finish in the 2023/24 Premier League season, Brighton could be set to lose their best player. Reports from Germany this week claim Pascal Gross is undecided about his future with Brighton and could leave the club this summer. Bild described Gross' future as "still pending" while he focuses on the 2024 Euros campaign with Germany. Gross somewhat confirmed these reports, revealing that he is “ready for a return” to Germany and that he has been for some time.   However, the versatile midfielder would not be drawn into commenting on the specific rumors linking him to Eintracht Frankfurt. “I don't want to comment on rumors. I am now fully focused on the Euros,” he told Sky Sports Germany.  Gross reportedly nearly left Brighton before the 2022/23 sea...
Analysis

Aston Villa planning on spending big on a midfielder who wouldn’t even start

Aston Villa surprisingly qualified for the 2024/25 Champions League this season. If the Villains are going to keep surprising us and make some noise in the Champions League, they will need to invest big this summer. Unai Emery and Aston Villa’s owners know this. They have been linked to players all around the world. One link though, has us worried about how Villa will do next year. Lazio midfielder linked to Aston Villa Corriere dello Sport claims Aston Villa are ready to make a “mega offer” for Lazio’s Mattéo Guendouzi.  The former Arsenal midfielder requested a move away from Lazio earlier this season. He is reportedly desperate to return back to the Premier League to prove himself in the best league in the world.  Lazio have slapped a €30m price tag on Guendouzi. Aston Villa ...
Manchester United want to steal away Real Madrid’s new top target after Kylian Mbappe
Analysis

Manchester United want to steal away Real Madrid’s new top target after Kylian Mbappe

Lille’s Leny Yoro is one of the most in-demand young players heading into the summer transfer window. The right-footed center back is reportedly one of Real Madrid’s biggest transfer targets.  Now, reports say Manchester United are also interested in the 18-year-old Frenchman.  Man Utd need a center back One of the worst-kept secrets in football right now is that Manchester United are interested in Everton center back Jarrad Branthwaite. The 21-year-old has been one of the brightest young players in the Premier League this season and has earned a place on England’s provisional Euros squad. The Red Devils have reportedly been tracking Branthwaite since he made his professional debut with Carlisle United four years ago.   However, according to ESPN’s Rob Dawson, the 21-year-old’s ...
Brighton leading the race for a managerial hire that would have fans revolting
Analysis

Brighton leading the race for a managerial hire that would have fans revolting

Brighton are reportedly leading the race to sign former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper.  Seagulls fans have not taken this news well. Unlike their last two managers, Cooper plays a pragmatic style of football that many fans don’t want to see at the Amex next season.  Cooper linked to Brighton According to The Daily Mail, the Seagulls are one of three clubs in the race to secure Steve Cooper’s signature. For Brighton fans’ sake, let’s hope this report is incorrect.  Nottingham Forest sacked Cooper before Boxing Day last season when the Reds were in 17th place.  A lot of Nottingham Forest fans will say that his sacking was harsh and undeserved. That can be debated. What can’t be though, is that Cooper is not a good fit for Brighton right now.  Cooper’s Forest were one o...