Chelsea: Next stop for Jorginho and Maurizio Sarri’s Neapolitan fine-arts
Chelsea’s two biggest hires this season can transform the way the club has looked at their own football identity. Jorginho and Maurizio Sarri promise an era filled with sunshine at a place…
Ajax Amsterdam: The dance between hope and pain
We explore the angst and optimism of AFC Ajax supporters, uncovering the factors behind the club’s decline and reasons to keep believing. As the old saying goes, there is no rest for…
Seattle Sounders: MLS, B-teams and a search for identity
With frequent rebranding and relocations, it wasn’t easy to be a soccer fan in USA, but the sport and its communal pull have both strengthened over time. Seattle Sounders and their B…
The finals of Euro 2016: The night of contradictions, the night of Pepe
The final of Euro 2016 served as the perfect stage a man who was fighting eleven men and his own reputation. It was Pepe’s night. 10 July 2016. Portugal v France. Final…
Finland: A Tale Of Hope and Close Misses
Finland are yet to occupy a space of any relevance in world football’s consciousness, but their story is one that needs telling. A lion’s share of you are probably familiar with the…
Mohamed Salah: More Than A Footballer
Over the last year, Mohamed Salah has not just been a successful footballer, but a much-loved missionary for his sport, country and community. “Look at this!” My mom burst excitedly through my…
To Football, With Love – A fan’s ode to the beautiful game
Between the despair of defeats to the elation when you see a mazy dribble, football is captivating, and takes us to great emotional heights. It’s The Beautiful Game indeed. On a bright…
‘What if?’ – The story of India’s lost opportunity at the 1950 World Cup
Known as a cricketing country around the world today, India’s football story would’ve been vastly different if only they made the trip to Brazil in 1950. Many among the capacity crowd in…
Cloak and Dagger of Sergio Ramos – The Glitch in the System
We believe in this holistic notion; we have to. But there are players like Sergio Ramos who are there to remind us about the glitch in the system. The beauty of football…
Don’t panic: The story of Juventus and mastering transition
In their journey to reclaim a place amongst Europe’s elite, Juventus have crossed many hurdles without breaking stride, and in that lies a great lesson for clubs across the world. Even in…
Blood, sweat and toil: The foundations for the legacy of Cristiano Ronaldo
In his relentless quest for personal improvement, Cristiano Ronaldo has given fans a most important life-lesson. There can always be someone more gifted around the corner, but if you work your backside…
Sunil Chhetri’s Appeal – The Uncomfortable Truth about Indian Football
When the captain of a national football team has to come on social media and request attendance at stadiums, the problem is much bigger than what meets the eye. The response to…
The partnership with Benitez that could shape Steven Gerrard as a manager
In their time together, Steven Gerrard and Rafa Benitez shaped Liverpool’s best years in the 21st century yet. Even if he wasn’t the best of friends with Benitez, Gerrard would do well…
Love Me Do: A recap of Liverpool’s 2017-18 season through Beatles music
Liverpool, a wonderful city replete with beauty and history, is known most to the outside world by two things: Liverpool FC and The Beatles. In a season of ups and downs, there’s…
Teachings of Packaged Drinking Water: How To Be A Footballing Fraud
There is a lot of mystery around mainstream products and the marketing campaigns around it, and there are enough examples in the football ecosystem who have taken a similar, dodgy path to…
Bas Dost – the minimalist misfit of Dutch Football
Is it right to ostracise someone simply because they don’t fit a preconceived mould? Does it make them any less successful? Bas Dost is one of Europe’s most prolific goal scorers, has…
Good, but not quite elite: The story of Edin Džeko – Part 2
When Željezničar sold Edin Džeko, one of their owners called the €25,000 fee a lottery. Twelve years and hundreds of goals later, the Bosnian forward has carved himself a remarkable niche in…
The Magical Mystery Tour – Liverpool’s Road to Roma
The doors are locked, the belts buckled as Liverpool FC head for the Magical Mystery Tour of AS Roma – the tunes of The Beatles’ album epitomising the spirit of their city.…
An Ode to Andres Iniesta – A Kiss From Fuentealbilla
Andres Iniesta is among a dying breed of midfielders that can turn, nutmeg, run, pause, cut inside and shoot – all on a dime. He’s come a long long way from the…
Watching Arsène Wenger from the other side
As Arsène Wenger walks into the sunset after 22 years in charge, we look at his Arsenal career from the opposite corner, and get a glimpse of his immense contribution to the…
The MLS Player You Should Philosophically Fall in Love With
Our favorite players may reveal subtle or obvious values and biases we have. In the 2018 edition of the MLS, there is a wealth of worthy candidates that could be our ideal…
Tomáš Řepka: The Man With An Unbreakable Character
Tomas Repka had a reputation as a fierce player known for being sent off, but he had a strong loyalty to West Ham Football Club which was reciprocated by the fans. Danny…
Football’s Finest Supervillain – Cristiano Ronaldo Hijacking Messi’s Glory
From being a thought crime in 2012 to a thought experiment in 2017, the idea of Cristiano Ronaldo as a football player on a par with Lionel Messi will be one of…
A Crossover Episode – MLS in the Premier League
“Infinity War is the most ambitious crossover event in history.” FP: “How would it be, if, in a not too distant future, we have an MLS team playing in the Premier League?”…