Tag: Newcastle

Ranking the 10 best right backs in men’s football right now in 2023
Champions League, Features

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...
Final 2022/23 Premier League Team of the Season
Features, Premier League

Final 2022/23 Premier League Team of the Season

Now that the 2022/23 Premier League season has officially come to a conclusion, it's time to take one final look back at the season's top individual performers at every position. Here is the Premier League Team of the Season, utilizing a 3-5-2 formation that is highly attacking because the four players in the attacking midfield and at striker absolutely HAD to make a list like this. GK Bernd Leno, Fulham: Alisson and David Raya also merited consideration here, but Bernd Leno has to be the pick in goal for the 2022/23 Premier League Team of the Season. Leno was second behind Alisson in post-shot expected goals prevented per 90 at +0.26 to Alisson's +0.27. Meanwhile, he was second in save percentage at 77.2 compared to Raya's 77.4. Whichever way you spin it, Leno was the most consis...
Features, Premier League

The 5 best possible transfer targets for Newcastle in summer 2023

Newcastle United have been one of the stories of the season in the Premier League. Their recent 6-1 drubbing of Tottenham Hotspur seals their fate as a deserving top-four side, and it will be quite something to see the likes of Joelinton and Miguel Almirón in the Champions League. Those two promising talents have turned into bonafide Premier League stars. Of course, Saudi Arabia have invested heavily in Newcastle for a purpose. Like the UAE with Manchester City and Qatar with PSG, Saudi Arabia intend on competing at the highest level. Both the UAE and Qatar projects have yet to win the Champions League despite massive financial investment, whereas the Magpies have been more about making smart signings and maximizing their squad strength as a cohesive unit. Newcastle have a plan, and ...
Ranking the 10 best defensive midfielders in the world in 2023
Features

Ranking the 10 best defensive midfielders in the world in 2023

As teams look to get more tactical and reinforce their defensive structure, maintain possession, and consistently progress play with quick decisions in set patterns of play, the defensive midfield position is becoming an increasingly coveted and demanded position in modern football. Look no further than the fees Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernández and Real Madrid spent to sign Aurélien Tchouaméni, who shows up on this list. Who joins him? Where does he rank? Here are the 10 best defensive midfielders in the world right now. 10. Aleix García, Girona Aleix García has been one of the sensations of the 2022/23 season, and he isn't the only breakout star who finds himself on this list of the best defensive midfielders in the world. The Girona leader's numbers have to be seen to be bel...
Ranking the 10 best center backs in the world for 2023
Champions League, Features

Ranking the 10 best center backs in the world for 2023

The center back position is one of the most difficult to evaluate in football, because much of what makes the best center backs so effective is what they do off the ball. Paolo Maldini was famous for being able to shut strikers out of the match without even having to make a tackle, famously remarking that this was a sign of a great defender.  Yet at the same time, the best center backs in world football need to show they are capable of making decisive interventions when called upon. And there are even other central defenders who have the responsibility of pushing higher up the pitch to win the ball, particularly for possession-based, pressing teams like Bayern München. So here are the 10 best center backs in football today, ranked based on a combination of current play in the 2...