Analysis

Before Schalke nearly became the worst team in the history of German football, they were literally the third-biggest club in the country behind Bayern Munich and arch rivals Borussia Dortmund. In fact, just two years before the bottom started to fall out, Schalke finished the season second behind Bayern. Heck, that very 2019/20 season during which they collapsed in the second half of the campaign, the Royal Blues were second at the end of the Hinrunde. Schalke are a proud club, and their "Knappenschmiede" academy has literally produced some of the greatest players in the history of German football. So let's honor Schalke and some of its legends of the recent past by looking at the 10 best players the Royal Blues ever developed from the ground up. GK Manuel Neuer We have to begin wi...

All football fans have dreamed of becoming a professional football player and having the experience of playing at the top level. Despite the many perks of becoming a professional, it's not all fun and games for every player. While all players suffer setbacks in their careers, some experience tremendous bad fortune. Whether it was due to injury or always being on the wrong team at the wrong time, some could simply not catch a break. Let's delve into the top 3 footballers who, despite their talent and dedication, encountered remarkable adversity and misfortune throughout their careers. Iñigo Martínez Iñigo Martínez has had a mixed career, often finding himself in difficult situations. While he helped Real Sociedad reach the Champions League in 2013 and the Copa del Rey semifinals in ...

While it was an amazing experience to watch Euro 2024 and Copa America simultaneously, questions have been raised about the lack of quality displayed in both tournaments. Copa America might have a bit of an excuse due to the competition's poor organization, which included adverse field conditions, extensive travel demands, and inadequate security protocols. However, Euro 2024 was generally underwhelming, especially from the teams considered favorites. Historically, teams have often started slowly and progressively improved throughout the tournament, but on this occasion, neither France, England, nor Germany (apart from their opening group game against Scotland) performed at their best. Interestingly, it was teams like Turkey, Austria, and even Romania who made more of an impact on the ...

The Women's Champions League is set to explode with the news of Lucy Bronze returning to England and joining Chelsea! Bronze, a Five-time Champions League winner with Lyon and Barcelona, brings a wealth of experience and leadership to a Blues side hungry for European glory. But with the FA WSL retaining Bronze, how will the landscape of the UWCL be affected? We examine the contenders: 5. PSG (France): PSG is a team on the rise. Last year's semi-finalists added firepower with Kika joining their already impressive attack featuring Marie-Antoinette Katoto (league-leading 35 goals in 2023/24). Building a cohesive squad and maintaining their defensive form will be key for PSG's title aspirations. 4. Bayern Munich (Germany): Don't underestimate the Bavarians. Boasting a strong domestic lea...

Spain capped off the Euro 2024 tournament with a 2-1 win over England on Sunday. La Roja became the first team to ever win four Euros, while England became the first team to lose back-to-back European Championships.  Now that it’s all over, let’s look at the best players from Euro 2024. Here is our Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament. Defense GK: Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia) As much as Georgia dazzled fans with their swashbuckling attacking play, their defense is why they made it to the Round of 16. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili had an unbelievable 30 saves in just four matches. This was almost twice as many as the next-best player, Jordan Pickford.  Mamardashvili also allowed more goals than any keeper at the tournament, but it could have been much, much worse for Georgia withou...

Bayern Munich have turned winning into a tradition, to the point where their success is taken for granted more than at any other club in world football. One of the best-run organizations in professional sports, Bayern's excellence has recently been called into question after a host of rash managerial decisions, poor signings, and dysfunctional executives. But Bayern's track record of success in the 2010s decade speaks for itself, and looking at their list of transfers over the last 15 years provides a clear example of why they achieved consistent Champions League success and perennial Bundesliga dominance. Here are the 10 best transfers in Bayern Munich's recent history since 2010, ranked in order. 10. Leon Goretzka, CM Leon Goretzka helped lead Schalke to an unlikely second-pla...

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. ...

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...

As Jorginho showed the world in the last European Championships, in addition to Luka Modric and Enzo Fernandez at previous World Cups, great midfielders can make a world of difference at the international stage. Here are the 10 best midfielders you need to know at Euro 2024, ranked in order. 10. Dominik Szoboszlai, Hungary Dominik Szoboszlai's match-winning performance against Montenegro will forever live in the lore of Hungarian football. The Liverpool star is the modern day hope of the country in football, carrying a legacy that includes some of the greatest players in history, most namely Ferenc Puskas A playmaker who has become a more robust midfielder by working on his physical strength, Szoboszlai can play virtually any position for Hungary but is currently being utilized as ...