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Ranking the 5 best Spain players at Euro 2024

14Jun

By Cody AcevedaNo Comments

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

14Jun

By Cody AcevedaNo Comments

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

12Jun

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

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 Spanish province producing elite coaches like Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta

27May

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Analysis

The Spanish province producing elite coaches like Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta

When you think of where some of the best managers in the world come from, there might be a few nations that come to mind. Italy has always had a good history of producing elite coaches and some have gone on to become world-class managers (Carlo Ancelotti, Fabio Capello, Arrigo Sacchi). Meanwhile, Germany's coaching school is considered one of the toughest programs on the continent and is something that’s reaping its rewards as some of the best coaches in the current game are German (Jürgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel, Julian Nagelsmann). However, what if the the best managers weren't necessarily coming from a country or even a region, but a province of that country? That's the case of Gipuzkoa, the Spanish province in the Basque region that's become a factory of producing elite coa...

5 best possible Brighton transfer targets for summer 2024

25May

By Cody AcevedaNo Comments

Analysis

5 best possible Brighton transfer targets for summer 2024

Brighton are known for having one of the best transfer strategies in the world. They’ve somehow managed to not just survive but thrive after selling their best players every summer. As we’ve seen this season though, it can't go on forever. The cracks started to show this season, and now, without Roberto De Zerbi, the Seagulls need to retool this summer. Here are five players Brighton should sign in the 2024 summer transfer window. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, MF (Leicester City) Brighton transfer rumors are usually just that; rumors. In the case of Brighton’s interest in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, it was more than a rumor. All of the club’s top reporters claim the Seagulls bid £30 million on the midfielder in January. Because Leicester City were in the middle of a promotion push, the ...

Bayern Munich’s next manager appointment could shock the world

23May

By Parshva ShahNo Comments

Analysis

Bayern Munich’s next manager appointment could shock the world

Bayern Munich have already begun planning for the 2024-25 season and their upcoming managerial appointment is bound to send shockwaves throughout the footballing fraternity. The Bavarians experienced a chaotic 2023-24 season which saw their record 11-year Bundesliga winning streak come to a brutal end at the hands of Xabi Alonso's Bayer 04 Leverkusen, who finished the league campaign without any defeat. As if that wasn't enough, the club announced in late February that they would be parting ways with Thomas Tuchel, who guided them to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. Reports from German media outlets in the past few weeks indicated that Bayern were reconsidering their decision regarding Tuchel and were open to continue their partnership for another season. Heck, the Bayern...

3 burning questions for Brighton after Roberto De Zerbi’s departure

20May

By Cody AcevedaNo Comments

Analysis

3 burning questions for Brighton after Roberto De Zerbi’s departure

After months of speculation about his departure, it finally seemed like Roberto De Zerbi was going to stay at Brighton for another season. That all changed this weekend. “De Zerbi to leave Albion after Manchester United match,” the club said in a shocking statement on Saturday. Now that we know that De Zerbi is leaving Brighton, all we can do is look forward. Here are three burning questions the club and Brighton fans should be asking right now. Who will be the next Brighton manager? We’re not going to beat around the bush. The most important question for Brighton right now is who will be their manager next season. Most reports say it will be current Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna. The former Manchester United assistant has guided the Tractor Boys to back-to-back promot...

The 3 best replacements for Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton

20May

By Cody AcevedaNo Comments

Analysis

The 3 best replacements for Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton

Brighton announced ahead of their final match of the 2023/24 Premier League season against Manchester United that De Zerbi will be leaving the club this summer. While no one really knows why the Italian left the club, we do know that Brighton need a new manager. Here are the top three options to replace Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton next season. Francesco Farioli, Nice Nice manager Francesco Farioli looked set to take over at Ajax. Now, he could be going to Brighton. Reports from the South Coast claim Roberto De Zerbi hand-picked Farioli to take over for him at Brighton. Farioli worked under De Zerbi at Benevento and Sassuolo between 2017 and 2020. His playing style at Nice is remarkably similar to De Zerbi’s, committed to building from the back and quick transitions. If Brig...

14May

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Analysis

Why FIFA, UEFA should consider making these 3 simple changes

A lot has been talked about rule changes to make football more exciting and adapt the game to modern times. However, FIFA’s latest suggestions would do nothing to increase the spectacle and make the games more exciting. Recently, it’s been talked about adding sin bins to punish players, (which was quickly discarded), making adjustments to the dimensions of the field, and even changing the kick-off format. Although some advocate for radical changes to the game, there are some alternative approaches that could address the issues surrounding the game without altering football’s fundamental structure. What are these changes that can go a long in making football more interesting? Here are 3 simple changes that football’s rule-makers should seriously consider. Stopping the clock during ...

Joselu Mato: From Struggles to Champions League Glory

14May

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Analysis

Joselu Mato: From Struggles to Champions League Glory

In the annals of football history, stories of redemption and resurrection are not uncommon. But few tales rival the remarkable transformation of Joselu Mato, a journeyman striker who has gone from the depths of despair to reaching the summit of success. A feat that seemed improbable only a few seasons ago as he struggled to showcase his goal-scoring skills. It’s remarkable how quickly a player’s perception in football can change. In 2022, Joselu Mato was just another Real Madrid fan cheering in the stands of the Stade de France as the team won its record-extending 14th Champions League title. Now he’ll be taking part in one after leading Real Madrid to the Champions League final with two goals in three minutes. While his career has taken him to various places, his journey began in R...