Analysis

Rafael van der Vaart buries Aston Villa for use of Dutch stars
28Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

Rafael van der Vaart buries Aston Villa for use of Dutch stars

Aston Villa spent over 100 million euros on new players in the summer 2024 transfer window and then added a handful of more big names in the winter after thos summer signings failed to improve Villa's status from a Champions League side to a potential title contender in the Premier League. In fact, Aston Villa have fallen outside the top four entirely and have been worse off in 2024/25 despite the aggressive reinforcements. And many of those new additions have failed to get a solid foothold in the time. Among the most prominent is left back Ian Maatsen, who was signed permanently for nearly 45 million euros from Chelsea after enjoying an excellent 2023/24 breakout season on loan at Borussia Dortmund, in which he was one of the standouts in BVB's return to the Champions League Final. ...
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5 Champions League clubs that could have new managers in 2026
26Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

5 Champions League clubs that could have new managers in 2026

As the 2024/25 Champions League season winds down to a close and the quarterfinals draw nearer, the coaching carousel is only just beginning, with Juventus already making a high-profile move. Here are five clubs that were in the Champions League this season that could have a new manager by the time the year 2026 begins. Real Madrid Carlo Ancelotti has won three Champions League titles as Real Madrid manager and two LaLiga trophies to boot, but it feels like his time as the club's manager is finally winding down to a close. We've sang this refrain before, only for Ancelotti to win the double and keep his job, but with the consistent lack of ideas and defensive instability, there's a prevailing belief among Real Madrid fans that now is the time to pull the trigger on a coaching chang...
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Transfermarkt snubbed Liverpool stars from most valuable Premier League XI
20Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

Transfermarkt snubbed Liverpool stars from most valuable Premier League XI

Transfermarkt has been releasing a lot of lists and best of formations due to its updated transfer valuations, and Liverpool fans will have a bone to pick with the latest most valuable XI for the Premier League. Not a single Liverpool player makes the squad despite the fact that the Reds are first in the Premier League by XI points. Arsenal and Manchester City led the way with four players in the team, each. David Raya got the nod in goal; William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes combined with Josko Gvardiol to form the back line; Rodri and Declan Rice are the double-pivot in midfield; Cole Palmer is the playmaker; Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka are the winger duo; and Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak obviously make the grade as the two strikers. Ryan Gravenberch deserves more praise Gran...
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Where does Antony rank among LaLiga’s best players right now?
20Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

Where does Antony rank among LaLiga’s best players right now?

Manchester United loanee Antony looks like a completely different man since moving from Old Trafford to the Benito Villamarin, and ever since he's joined Real Betis, Los Verdiblancos have been the second highest performing team in LaLiga after league title favorite Barcelona. Isco has been splendid, too, and was instrumental in the 2-1 win over former employers Real Madrid, but Antony has unmistakably been the star of the show. But where, exactly, does Antony rank? Both in terms of form and overall quality. It's a difficult question to ask since Antony has just joined LaLiga and previously had a poor reputation as a nearly 100 million euro transfer flop for Manchester United. Form and class are two distinct entities, and, because of that, it becomes additionally difficult to asses...
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The 5 best possible Ange Postecoglu replacements at Tottenham
18Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

The 5 best possible Ange Postecoglu replacements at Tottenham

Tottenham have been one of the most dismally disappointing teams in all of European football this season, and as we head into the March international break, Spurs sit just 14th in the Premier League table. Manchester United's impressive 3-0 win over Leicester City have brought the Red Devils over Tottenham, making Spurs the biggest flops of the 2024/25 Premier League season, just one year after manager Ange Postecoglu gave them Champions League hopes in their first season at the helm. But now, Spurs are back where they started - and actually further behind, despite making some expensive additions to the squad like James Maddison and Dominic Solanke. Following a 2-0 loss to Fulham and now without a Premier League win since Feb. 22, Postecoglu is facing more calls for his firing, in...
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The best possible Barcelona starting XI with Marc Casado, Inigo Martinez injured
17Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

The best possible Barcelona starting XI with Marc Casado, Inigo Martinez injured

Although Barcelona were flying high after an incredible 4-2 comeback victory over Atletico Madrid in which they were down 2-0 at the Wanda, they have received some tough news in the aftermath of the title-boosting victory. Barcelona confirmed that defensive midfielder Marc Casado suffered a ligament injury to his right knee and will likely be out for the remainder of the 2024/25 season. Meanwhile, starting center back Inigo Martinez, who assisted Robert Lewandowski's brilliant Barca opener, will be out for the remainder of the month with a muscular injury, as confirmed by the club. Although Martinez will be back soon enough after a few weeks of rest during the international break, Casado's injury looms large. Here is a look at the best Barcelona lineup with both key players injure...
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The best reason for and against Juventus firing Thiago Motta
17Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

The best reason for and against Juventus firing Thiago Motta

After getting torn to shreds by another rival in the battle for a top-four place in Serie A, the pressure on Juventus manager Thiago Motta is beginning to reach a crescendo. There are valid calls from fans and pundits alike to can Motta just one year after he was hired to replace long-time Juventus manager Max Allegri, who was in his second stint as the club's coach. Juventus are currently outside the top four after losing 3-0 to Fiorentina, which came one week after another embarrassing loss in a big game, 4-0 to Atalanta. Although Motta came into this job with tempered expectations due to a developing squad, it has been jarring to see how some of the team's top players, including former Fiorentina stars Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic, have been outright discarded by the form...
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Manchester City need to keep letting Jeremy Doku cook
16Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

Manchester City need to keep letting Jeremy Doku cook

Manchester City suffered another disappointing result on Saturday afternoon, drawing 2-2 with fellow European football hopefuls Brighton despite receiving goals form both star forwards Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush. But even though the former Bundesliga superstar found the back of the net, neither were the best players on the pitch - not even for Man City alone. No, that distinction belongs to a former Ligue 1 star, winger Jeremy Doku. For the second time in his last four Premier League games, the Belgian international completed a jaw-dropping 15 completed dribbles, reminding fans around the world that it isn't just Lamine Yamal who has a compelling case for being the best dribbler in the world. Jeremy Doku is the Premier League's best dribbler Doku was irresistible on the ball ...
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Arsenal vs. Chelsea: 5 stars who will decide Sunday’s heated rivalry battle
15Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

Arsenal vs. Chelsea: 5 stars who will decide Sunday’s heated rivalry battle

Arsenal are through to the Champions League quarterfinals but will have a big point to prove at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon against London rivals Chelsea after failing to take care of Manchester United, dropping two points to the Red Devils last weekend. So here are three players on Arsenal and two on Chelsea who will be pivotal to telling the story of this weekend's biggest Premier League matchup between second and fourth. Arsenal DM Thomas Partey Thomas Partey will be going up against an exceptional midfield anchoring duo and an even better leading playmaker in Cole Palmer this weekend, so he will need to be as close to flawless as possible for the Gunners. Likely leaving the club at the end of the season, Partey is still a valuable player in the Arsenal starting XI, and he ...
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3 Liverpool players who must step up with Trent Alexander-Arnold out of Carabao Cup Final
15Mar By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Analysis

3 Liverpool players who must step up with Trent Alexander-Arnold out of Carabao Cup Final

Liverpool will face Newcastle on Sunday afternoon with the chance to capture their first trophy of what has been an incredible 2024/25 season thus far, which will help erase some of the sourness after a shocking penalty shootout defeat to mild upstarts PSG in the Champions League Round of 16. Their latest Champions League failure can't blight their spirits heading into Sunday's Carabao Cup Final, as Liverpool, even against a formidable opponent, are clear favorites as the side with a 15-point lead in the Premier League. However, Liverpool will be without one of the best players in the world on Sunday, as star right back Trent Alexander-Arnold has been ruled out of the game with an ankle injury he picked up at mid-week in the defeat to PSG, as if being knocked out of the Champions Lea...
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