Analysis

Eden Hazard: The supreme entertainer that no coach could change
Analysis

Eden Hazard: The supreme entertainer that no coach could change

The exact date escapes me, but I recall it being early 2012. Perhaps it was late 2011, I don't know. Anyway, life as a Tottenham supporter was pretty sweet under Harry Redknapp. Despite the success of 2009/10, 2011/12 lives fonder in my memory. Bale, Modric, Van de Vaart, Adebayor, Parker; Redknapp's Spurs at their apex. This was also a time when transfer discourse appeared pre-historic compared to the current information overload. Jim White and his yellow tie was the Fabrizio Romano of that era. His word was gospel. However, that's merely to contextualise the time. Twitter/X hadn't yet emerged as a cesspit of transfer gossip, and Teletext may have still been in fashion - possibly. So, when my dad uttered to me during an innocuous car journey that he'd heard "from a bloke down the pu...
Ranking the 10 best left backs in men’s football right now in 2023
Analysis

Ranking the 10 best left backs in men’s football right now in 2023

Fullbacks are easy to overlook, but they are becoming increasingly vital in the modern game, especially to elite teams who have possession of the ball and need additional width. They need that width to both free space for the attackers in the middle and to offer additional venues for chance creation. Left backs tend to be scarcer than right backs for the simple fact that there are fewer left-footers. So having a game-breaking left back who can defend well while still creating a high volume of quality chances is the dream of every top team. And some clubs, like Juventus and Real Madrid, have found a proper solution to be difficult. So here are the best left backs in the world today, with this list subject to updates and changes as performances fluctuate and breakout stars emerge...
Ranking the 10 best right backs in men’s football right now in 2023
Analysis

Ranking the 10 best right backs in men’s football right now in 2023

The right back position may be one of the most overlooked in world football, but just ask clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and, most recently, Napoli what having an elite right-sided defender can do for a team. An elite right back can rule an entire flank with composed defending, quality passing in the build-up, supportive runs for the attackers, and game-changing assists via their crossing. So in honor of the right back and many of the unsung heroes who ply their trade at this position, let's take a closer look at the best players in the world who man the right side of the formation. 10. Malo Gusto Malo Gusto joins Christopher Nkunku as another top young talent headed to Chelsea this summer. The 20-year-old will not be the starter in every match, as the Blues alre...
What Liverpool fans should know about Dominik Szoboszlai’s playing style and strengths
Analysis

What Liverpool fans should know about Dominik Szoboszlai’s playing style and strengths

Liverpool made one of the bargain signings of the summer when they signed Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister for just 35 million pounds due to a release clause, bringing in a much-needed player who was among the best in the league at any position last season. And now, the Reds have added another top-class midfielder who was one of the best players in his league last season, taking further advantage of a release clause. Though this time, Liverpool will have to pony up a bit more. They have decided to meet the 70 million euro release clause for RB Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai, paying a steep price for a 22-year-old player who is already one of the best in the world at impacting the final score of a game. So here are some things Liverpool fans should know about this talented ...
Ranking the 10 best attacking midfielders in men’s football right now in 2023
Analysis

Ranking the 10 best attacking midfielders in men’s football right now in 2023

Although the modern game has seemingly phased out the No. 10, there are still plenty of footballers finding ways to make an impact in the attacking midfield, either playing there in a scheme with two flexible attacking mids or moving up into that area of the pitch from a 4-3-3. And even still, there are a few 10's getting to play in that traditional CAM role regularly, such as Bruno Fernandes, or in certain systems based on opponent, such as Paulo Dybala. So in honor of this wonderful position and the creators who inspire us to try out some killer through passes on our local community pitch, let's rank the best attacking midfielders in world football right now. We'll leave out players who primarily play as an 8 or on the wing and stick to only players who have frequently earned mi...
Ranking the 10 best forwards in men’s football right now in 2023
Analysis

Ranking the 10 best forwards in men’s football right now in 2023

No players are more coveted in world football than the forwards who score the goals, take the defense on, and create the chances that win matches. Every elite club needs an elite forward - and really two - in order to compete at the highest level and truly be an elite team at the Champions League level. So let's take a look at the 10 best forwards in the game, focusing on strikers and wingers whose primary job is to score the goals and create the assists that win their teams' matches. Many of these players are strikers and inverted wingers, because those are the positions that make the biggest difference on the score line in the modern game. 10. Christopher Nkunku Christopher Nkunku will head to Chelsea for the 2023/24 season after being the best Bundesliga player over the last three ...
3 problems with Manchester United signing Mason Mount
Analysis

3 problems with Manchester United signing Mason Mount

Manchester United have secured their first major signing of the summer 2023 transfer window. After aggressively pursuing Chelsea star midfielder Mason Mount for weeks, they finally agreed to terms with the Blues, who were stretching out the negotiations for just a little bit more money. Ultimately, the Red Devils will spend 55 million pounds plus an additional 5 million pounds in add-ons to sign Mount, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein. Mount is one of the bigger names in the Premier League and was crucial in Chelsea winning the 2020/21 Champions League. However, there are some valid concerns Manchester United fans should have about the cost of this deal and the way Mount fits the squad. Let's take a closer look at three of those concerns. These problems are not highlight...
Analysis

Why the Declan Rice transfer fee is worth it for Arsenal

Arsenal have turned heads by making one of the most expensive signings of the summer 2023 transfer window, spending 105 million pounds in an up-front fee and add-ons in order to sign Declan Rice from West Ham United. Such a hefty fee for a midfielder is bound to draw criticism, and it necessitates taking a closer look at the reasoning behind Arsenal making such a transfer. As we saw with their success last season in pushing Manchester City for the Premier League title, this squad was not built haphazardly, nor have Mikel Arteta and Maurice Edu made unnecessary gambles on the transfer market. So let's explain why the 100 million pound up-front transfer fee for Declan Rice is a worthy investment by Arsenal as they look to return to the summit of European football in 2023 and beyond. A...
The best Arsenal Women players right now in 2023
Analysis

The best Arsenal Women players right now in 2023

Arsenal Women are one of the most storied teams in football. The 2018/19 FA WSL champions were once the most dominant team in English football, and while they only finished third in the league in 2022/23, they were on the doorstep of the Champions League Final. Had several key players not suffered severe injuries, who knows what they could have accomplished? The Gunners boast some of the world's most elite talents and have top players at every level of the team - from defense to attack. And like any great team, they have just the right mix of experienced players and up-and-coming talents. So let's take a look at the best Arsenal Women players currently in 2023. ST Vivianne Miedema Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema is a record-breaking goal-scorer and one of the best players of h...
Ranking the 10 best Serie A goalkeepers right now in 2023
Analysis

Ranking the 10 best Serie A goalkeepers right now in 2023

From Dida to Gianluigi Buffon, Serie A has given the world some of the finest goalkeepers of the modern era. And one of the most acclaimed goalkeepers in Europe today, Gianluigi Donnarumma, has his roots in the Italian top flight as a prodigy and young leader for Milan. Who are the best Serie A goalkeepers currently? Let's take a look at 10 players who have distinguished themselves in recent seasons and rank them from fifth to first. Let's see if any of the names surprise you! All stats are courtesy of FBRef.com, which is the best site for readily-available goalkeeper data. 10. Juan Musso, Atalanta Formerly of Udinese, Juan Musso has continued as one of the league's better goalkeepers since joining Atalanta, one of the top clubs in Serie A. Musso is in the prime of his car...