Articles
-
![]()
Benítez Feels the Blues at Everton
When Kevin Ratcliffe lifted the first division trophy in 1987, Everton seemed set to enter a period of dominance. This was the club’s second league title in three years, with a second-placed finish in 1986 behind Liverpool, separating the two title triumphs. In total, between 1983 and 1987, Everton won two league titles, one…
-
![]()
Leicester City’s Sharp Decline under Brendan Rodgers
Football is a relatively simple sport; it’s why it’s so revered around the world. After all, all you need to be able to play the beautiful game is an object to kick, a handful of other competitors, and some markings that vaguely hint at where the goals should be. Jumpers, if you will. That…
-
![]()
Case Study: Carlos Queiroz’s Egypt
Egypt is one of the most successful teams in Africa, a country known for its attacking-first style of football (especially under Hassan Shehata’s leadership) and that has won the Africa Cup of Nations a record seven times. On 8 September 2021, the Egyptian Football Association announced the hiring of Carlos Queiroz, a veteran manager who…
-
![]()
Moses Simon: The Super Eagles’ Flying Winger
It is no surprise that Moses Simon has made an electric start to the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations. After starting on the left flank in Nigeria’s 1-0 victory against Egypt, Simon scored a goal and provided one assist in the second group stage match against Sudan and was rightly awarded as the game’s official…
-
![]()
A Cruzeiro Story
Debt. Problems. Phone calls engraved into Brazil football folklore and relegation that haunts the club to this day – but how did it come to this? And will Ronaldo turn the tide? Cruzeiro was founded in 1921 and is one of the traditional Brazilian clubs and a member of the G-12 [the 12 best…
-
![]()
Disrupted, Disregarded, Maligned and Disliked: AFCON Deserves Better From European Onlookers
In 2012, then-Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini said he ‘hoped’ that Ivorian trio Abdul Razak, Yaya and Kolo Touré didn’t go to the upcoming African Cup of Nations, due to the disruption it would have to the Cityzens’ season. All three, rightfully, travelled to the tournament, as City eventually finished 2nd to Manchester United in…
-
![]()
Player Analysis: Carlos Soler
Carlos Soler is an adored player over in Valencia, seeing as he is staying at his childhood club despite being able to be in a better team and Valencia CF’s unpredictable nature. However, he is not only being valued at Valencia, as Luis Enrique called him up to the Spanish squad, where Soler has played…
-
![]()
BTL’s Weekly European Transfer Recap
It’s easy to miss transfers outside of the Premier League. For every Coutinho to Aston Villa, there’s a Jonathan Ikone to Fiorentina. Here’s a round-up of the key transfers from everywhere including outside Europe’s big 5 leagues from the past 7 days. Ligue 1 Vanderson – Gremio – Monaco (€11.6m) Patrick Berg –…
-
![]()
Nigeria’s Victorious Start to AFCON
Understandably so, the first round of games have been slow in terms of goals but has not disappointed with regards to excitement and tension. The first few games are naturally slower and cagier because teams are just trying to feel each other out, not take too many risks and get some points if they can. …
-
![]()
TSG Hoffenheim: German Football’s Emerging Force
Following the 3-1 win over FC Augsburg on January 8, TSG Hoffenheim extended their unbeaten streak to 7 matches in the Bundesliga. No other Bundesliga team is on a longer unbeaten streak right now, whilst in Europe’s top five leagues only Chelsea, Manchester City, Inter Milan, and PSG have gone longer without a defeat…
