Features News and Analysis

27Nov

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Champions League, Features

7 non-UCL teams in 2024/25 who could make the Champions League in 2025/26

There are few things better than a good comeback story, and one of those few things is a good underdog story. In that spirit, let's take a look at seven teams that failed to qualify for the Champions League in the 2024/25 season but are currently in a position - or within striking distance - of Champions League qualification next season. Of course, there are much more than just seven teams in Champions League contention for 2025/26 who missed out this season, but since seven is a lucky number and my fingers - and possibly your brains - are uninterested in an even lengthier list, we'll settle on lucky number seven (as an homage to Mariano Diaz, if you'd like). Chelsea Chelsea aren't so much of a feel-good story as they are an "Empire Strikes Back" kind of vibe. The Blues actually went ...

The 5 best midfield transfer targets for Liverpool in summer 2025

26Nov

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features

The 5 best midfield transfer targets for Liverpool in summer 2025

Liverpool have become the best team in the Premier League again in 2024/25 under the leadership of new manager Arne Slot, but a lot of the groundwork for this great season was already put in place by Jurgen Klopp and the preceding regime at Anfield. Much of the improvements were done in the middle of the park, with Liverpool bouncing back from a Europa League finish to legitimate Premier League title contention in 2023/24 after the signings of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Granveberch - though Gravenberch wouldn't break out until this season under Slot. Despite a bevy of midfield upgrades, Liverpool are still in the market for another star or two to further boost their personnel in midfield as they look to capture the near impossible under Slot - a tr...

Where does Nicolas Jackson rank among the Premier League’s best strikers in 2024/25?

26Nov

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features

Where does Nicolas Jackson rank among the Premier League’s best strikers in 2024/25?

Chelsea are back in the Champions League conversation for the first time in the Todd Boehly era, as new manager Enzo Maresca has guided the Blues to their best start in years, coaxing bounce-back seasons from a couple of key transfer investments. Midfielder Moises Caicedo's rebound as one of the world's best has been the most striking, but Nicolas Jackson's newfound consistency has been just as impactful of a storyline at Stamford Bridge. This weekend, Jackson added a seventh goal to his Premier League tally, as he proved decisive with yet another fine all-around performance for the Blues in a 2-1 win over Maresca's former employers, Leicester City. In the spirit of Jackson's improved displays in the 2024/25 season, let's take a look at where the Chelsea star ranks in comparison t...

4 West Ham stars who saved Julen Lopetegui’s job against Newcastle

26Nov

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features

4 West Ham stars who saved Julen Lopetegui’s job against Newcastle

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui came into Monday night's match at St. James's Park against Newcastle with everything to play for, because the word on the street was that he could be fired with consecutive losses in his next two matches - or even a bad enough blowout to the Magpies. Instead of withering like in so many fixtures this season, West Ham fought with a gutsy performance defensively and a highly opportunistic one offensively, taking down one of the better teams in the Premier League 2-0 to keep their new manager's job alive. Here are four West Ham stars who played the biggest role in making sure Lopetegui will live to fight another day. RB Aaron Wan-Bissaka Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been a revelation as the new right back at West Ham, an undeniable upgrade of massive proporti...

The best possible Real Madrid starting XI after Vinicius Junior injury

26Nov

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

The best possible Real Madrid starting XI after Vinicius Junior injury

Real Madrid were riding high after another big win in La Liga, following up a 4-0 bounce-back victory over Osasuna with a gritty 3-0 win over Leganes, with Vinicius Junior playing a starring role as a striker in Carlo Ancelotti's latest ploy to coax better performances out of blockbuster signing Kylian Mbappe. Vinicius Jr. created the opener for Mbappe, maneuvering his way into the six-yard-box so that the Frenchman would have an easy tap-in, but the real Vini headline after the match was a less positive one. Real Madrid already lost their best center back, Eder Militao, during the win over Osasuna, and now this match against Leganes has costed them their best overall player in Vini Jr. The Brazilian winger will be out for around a month with a muscular injury, ruling him out of t...

The most important Manchester United star under Ruben Amorim

25Nov

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features

The most important Manchester United star under Ruben Amorim

Predictably, Manchester United didn't experience a jubilant debut for new manager Ruben Amorim, as they failed to get the full three points on the road against relegation candidates Ipswich Town, drawing 1-1 with the English underdogs. Manchester United's new coach warned everyone before the match that it would take around three years in order for the Red Devils to get back on track, so you can't fault him for not immediately winning with a squad that is indeed very, very far behind where it needs to be. After the match, Amorim ripped Man United again, offering scathing critiques of the lack of quality and personality in the squad while doubling down on the fact that it will take a long time for the most valuable club in the Premier League to reach sporting levels equivalent with its...

5 biggest surprises from Ruben Amorim’s first game in charge of Manchester United

25Nov

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features

5 biggest surprises from Ruben Amorim’s first game in charge of Manchester United

As anyone who has watched this thoroughly subpar team throughout the 2024/25 Premier League season would have predicted, Manchester United failed to impress in the managerial debut of Ruben Amorim on Sunday against Ipswich Town. While it looked like Manchester United would be off to a fairytale start on the road with a counterattacking goal in the second minute for Marcus Rashford, of all people, Ipswich equalized and legitimately controlled much of the game. Ipswich could have easily won this match if it weren't for more heroics from Andre Onana in goal, as Amorim unsurprisingly could not turn around a completely lackluster squad in his first game. Manchester United have a lot of growing to do under their new coach, but there were also some managerial decisions that were a bit of...

Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, and the 10 most legendary teenage sensations in LaLiga history

25Nov

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, and the 10 most legendary teenage sensations in LaLiga history

LaLiga has been a breeding ground for some of the most talented footballers in history. However, some of these stars burst onto the scene as teenagers and made an instant impact from the very beginning. If making a professional debut is already an exciting, but also nerve-racking experience, imagine being a teenager and having the weight of fans' expectations on your back. Regardless of the pressure, who are some of the best teenage sensations to play in LaLiga? Before beginning, let's make clear that the ranking below is based on their performances and impact as teenagers, not their overall careers. With all that said, let's take a look at the 10 legendary teenage sensations who managed the expectations and went on to become some of the best players in LaLiga's history. Joseba Etxe...

One of Chelsea’s best players is almost guaranteed to leave in 2025

25Nov

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features

One of Chelsea’s best players is almost guaranteed to leave in 2025

Chelsea have been one of European football's most resurgent sides in the 2024/25 season under new manager Enzo Maresca, as they are now favored to qualify for the Champions League next season after missing out on the competition ever since the Todd Boehly take over. So many players have improved this season at Chelsea under Maresca, with the rebound of Moises Caicedo in midfield being a particular highlight. And striker Nicolas Jackson has been much stronger, too, with even loan acquisition Joao Felix showing signs of progress in his second stint at Stamford Bridge. But not everyone is benefiting from Maresca's appointment in the dugout. Mykhaylo Mudryk is famously on the transfer block and mostly discarded by the new manager, but he isn't the biggest name on the verge of a transfer ...

Barcelona want to make two upgrades after Celta Vigo result

25Nov

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Barcelona want to make two upgrades after Celta Vigo result

Barcelona had a 2-0 lead over Celta Vigo and seemed headed for a bounce-back victory after falling 1-0 to Real Sociedad before the November international fixtures, but they suffered arguably just as disappointing of a result in the end. As has been the case over the years, Barcelona dropped points at the Balaidos, collapsing defensively in a 2-2 draw, with Jules Kounde giving with an assist and taking away with a horrible blunder that proved costly. For the second straight game, Barcelona failed to get a win without superstar right winger Lamine Yamal, but most of the criticisms have been directed towards the defense, specifically at an underperforming fullback duo. Alejandro Balde has regressed badly since being the best left back in European football as a breakout star in Barca'...