Written by Srinivas Sadhanand Not many would be better attested to paying an ode to the power of versatility in football than Ryan Bertrand. In the wake of the seasoned Florent Malouda’s hamstring strain against Blackburn Rovers, the then Chelsea sensation was thrown in at the deep end of debuting in
Author: Srinivas Sadhanand
In a summer of hits, was selling Abdou Diallo a miss?
Written by Srinivas Sadhanand Borussia Dortmund’s perennial underdog status has managed to soften even the most stone-hearted skeptics into falling head over heels for football’s resident hipster club. Be it their rise from the ashes of bankruptcy to ultimately reach a Champions League final or their unmatched atmosphere at the Westfalenstadion
Hakim Ziyech Transfer Column | Part Two
Hakim Ziyech Transfer Column | Part One
Romanticism and realism are two sides of the same coin that cloud the judgment of any zealous fanbase witnessing their club in the midst of a footballing fairytale. While their team’s unanticipated overachievements prompt them to dare to dream, pragmaticism takes precedent as they realize that this only puts their
Young Lions – Jadon Sancho
History suggests that the notion of English footballers departing to greener pastures abroad in the pursuit of blossoming on the biggest stages is somewhat of an anomaly. While sizeable names such as Gary Lineker, Steve McManaman and David Beckham instantly spring to mind, it is important to note that each
Kevin De Bruyne shines in FA Cup triumph – Manchester City player ratings vs Burnley
Nicolas Pépé – Only a matter of time
2017/2018 - A false dawn The rapid ascent of Nicolas Pépé from relative anonymity to Ligue 1’s most sought-after prospect is a reality that even the most ardent of Lille supporters would have failed to fathom. Their skepticism towards a new dawn for the French-born Ivorian forward and moreover, their club
City Firm Favourites – Manchester Derby Preview Part 1
Ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk’s testing Champions League tie at the Etihad, Portuguese tactician Paolo Fonseca boldly proclaimed that “Manchester City have no weaknesses.” Inarguable invincibility has expectedly evaded even the greatest of the sides the beautiful game has ever seen, but it was hard to refute the 45-year old’s manifestation
Krzysztof Piątek – The Polish Trailblazer Setting Serie A Alight
If Krzysztof Piątek’s story was pitched to Hollywood executives, they would turn their noses up at this notion and fling the script onto the pile of monotonous ideas for sports films at their disposal. However, the Pole’s blockbuster start to life at Genoa is anything but predictable. From plying his
Lautaro Martínez: Inter’s New Raging Bull
Lautaro Martinez feature Image designed by AS Argentina - Diario AS Inter Milan’s ties with Argentine strikers are nothing short of inseverable. From Diego Milito’s masterful brace to sweep aside Bayern Munich in the 2009-10 Champions League final to current skipper Mauro Icardi notching up the highest goal tally (29) in a
Kyle Walker Piledriver Seals City Victory
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur: Can Pochettino Inspire His Men to End Old Trafford Hoodoo?
As managerial stalwarts in Jose Mourinho and Mauricio Pochettino dust themselves off and marshal their troops after succumbing to torrid periods in the transfer market, there lies a blinding aura of chaotic uncertainty within both camps. Manchester United With executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and the Manchester United hierarchy prioritizing securing sponsorship deals
Commanding City Romp The Terriers: A Match Report
Manchester City’s 6-1 drubbing of Huddersfield Town had a sense of déjà vu for the in-attendance goalscoring trio of Tony Adcock, Dave White and Paul Stewart, who had struck a treble apiece in a 10-1 rout against the Terriers in November 1987. Pep Guardiola showcased his renowned tactical malleability as he
Manchester City Fire Early Title Warning Shots After Resounding Win Over Arsenal
Belgium 3:2 Japan, An Anatomy of a World Cup Classic.
71 days prior to the first kick of the ball at the Luzhniki Stadium in the Russian capital, managerial mayhem had circumscribed Japanese football as Vahid Halilhodzic was given marching orders on the back of uninspiring friendly displays against Mali and Ukraine respectively with JFA technical director Akira Nishino appointed
France and Denmark Play Out Most Boring Game of This World Cup
Despite the sense of recreation that was exuded by the French camp following their two consecutive victories over Australia and Peru that sealed their spot in the round of 16 and Didier Deschamps equaling his predecessor Raymond Domenech’s exceptional record 79-match reign at the helm, the former Juventus coach would
Spain Snatch Late Draw Against Morocco, Top Group and Avoid Uruguay
Shaqiri and Xhaka Combine to Give Switzerand Crucial Win
A majority of the pre-match chat was dominated by Xherdan Shaqiri’s custom-Nike Mercurial boots that had a stitched Kosovo flag on the right heel, adding fuel to a highly tense political dispute between Serbia and their Southeastern European counterparts as the central narrative aside from the contest on Friday. Naturally,
Costa Goal Gives La Roja All Three Points
Sink or swim: Can the Spanish Armada Triumph in Russia?
The Glory years 2008-2012 As Fernando Torres dinked an advancing Jens Lehmann to end a much awaited 44-year long trophy drought in an eventual 1-0 victory against Germany in the Euro 2008 final; the 14.6 million Spanish viewers across the globe welcomed the birth of a dynasty. Inarguably, Spanish supremacy had
From Benchwarmer to Title Winner: The Rise of Zinchenko
“Zinchenko is talented, but he must be realistic. He can only play for Manchester City on his PlayStation.” Andriy Voronin exhibited a ruthlessness in his early prognostication of the Ukrainian’s spell in the Premier League, one that was earlier reserved for some of the finest goalkeepers in the Bundesliga, during the
Pietro Pellegri – Monaco’s freshest diamond in the rough
A first exclusive by Srinivas Sadhanand, If a sequel to British grime virtuoso, Skepta’s 2017 documentary “Greatness Only” lies in the realms of possibility, Pietro Pellegri is certainly a potential poster boy for it. The latest import to further piece together Monaco’s “Moneyball” transfer policy, the former-Genoa frontman became the youngest-ever