How Chelsea Recruitment Strategy Favours Maturity Over Youth

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Analysis by the CIES Football Observatory over the last ten seasons shows that the London club selected players with an average age of 26.71 with 20 per cent of their transfer choices being over the age of 30. Chelsea Prefer Maturity Rather Than Youth When Recruiting Top Players. That is the highest age profile of […] READ MORE



England Women Triumph at Euro 2022 – What It Means for the Women’s Game

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It’s still fresh in the memory – England women have won Euro 2022. It’s a historic feat achieved by the Lionesses but there have been several hurdles to overcome along the way. MORNING! Just your daily reminder that we are EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS 😎🏆 pic.twitter.com/XEAUiOEemf — Lionesses (@Lionesses) August 2, 2022 From Being Banned to England […] READ MORE


Scottish Cup Final: What the Win Means for Rangers

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Winning a 34th Scottish Cup means a deserved reward for Rangers. Having returned home to Glasgow to face Hearts in the 137th Scottish Cup final, the Light Blues were desperate for a title. Some 100,000 of their fans had travelled to Seville for the UEFA Europa League final, from all directions. Maybe a quarter of […] READ MORE


Manchester City’s Use of the False Nine

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Manchester City’s use of the false number nine feels almost like a Pep Guardiola obsession. Combined with an almost Arsene Wenger-like dedication to recruiting certain types of players.With a passionate predilection for passing and passing. But it is working, as it nows looks certain that City will retain their Premier League title primarily using that false number nine […] READ MORE


Why Three Substitutions Are Enough in Modern-Day Football

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The introduction of substitutions in England began in the 1960s when the Football League allowed just one replacement. Charlton Athletic winger Keith Peacock made history when he came on in a second division match at Burnden Park, Bolton in August 1965. Peacock actually replaced an injured goalkeeper. In the past, injured players, including goalkeepers, would usually […] READ MORE


Could Politics Affect the World Cup in 2022?

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Across the Gulf, in the United Arab Emirates, the Asian Cup is currently taking place. The tournament has reached the latter stages and one of the semi-finalists is the next host of the World Cup. Qatar have virtually no fans present and some of their journalists were denied entry into the UAE. They have progressed […] READ MORE


Marcelo: A Modern Genius at Full-Back

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Full-backs were once renowned for their defensive capabilities. They became famous for their uncompromising tackling. Bolton Wanderers had two legendary exponents in Roy Hartle and Tommy Banks. Another was Liverpool defender Gerry Byrne, who played most of the 1965 Cup final, including extra-time, with a broken collarbone. Eventually, full-backs starting venturing further forward. For example, a […] READ MORE


The Stunning Atmosphere of Atletico Tucuman v San Martin Tucuman

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Argentina has a passion for football that is above anywhere else, especially for club football and especially when there is a derby or Clasico encounter. Buenos Aires is famed for the Boca v River Superclasico but there are many others, often nearly as intense, and not only in the Argentine capital. The Rosario version is far […] READ MORE


Defensa y Justicia: Only Unbeaten Club In The Argentine Superliga

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Football in Argentina is not just about River Plate and Boca Juniors. Though it feels that way at the moment. With extensive coverage of the incidents that led to the postponement of the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final. But there are many clubs in the Greater Buenos Aires area. One of the less […] READ MORE