Jun 16, 2026
Everyone wants Ayyoub Bouaddi, but the World Cup is inflating his price
Arsenal, PSG and a string of giants are circling the Lille teenager, and Lille reportedly want 75 million euros. Here is why I would think twice befor...
football opinion
13 articles tagged with "football opinion"
Jun 9, 2026
Can Argentina become the first side to retain the World Cup since 1962?
No team has retained the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, and three of the last four holders went out in the group stage. Lionel Messi’s Argentina arri...
Jun 9, 2026
Can a host nation win the 2026 World Cup?
The United States, Mexico and Canada all have home advantage, but history and the form book suggest a host lifting the trophy would be a major surpris...
Jun 6, 2026
The dark horses who could gatecrash the 2026 World Cup
With 48 teams and an extra knockout round, the 2026 World Cup is built for an outsider to make a run. Here are the dark horses worth backing, from Mor...
Jun 5, 2026
The World Cup warm-ups are sending the favourites a warning
France, Spain and the Netherlands all stumbled within 24 hours of each other against supposedly lesser opponents. In a 48-team tournament built for up...
Jun 2, 2026
At 41, Ronaldo is still the question Portugal cannot bring themselves to answer
Portugal are taking a 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo to a sixth World Cup, and not everyone thinks they should. The real test is whether Roberto Martin...
May 31, 2026
Liverpool’s Iraola call is ruthless, logical and nowhere near safe
Liverpool sacked Arne Slot a year after he won the title and turned to Andoni Iraola. The stylistic logic is sound, but swapping a proven champion for...
May 28, 2026
From 15th to third: Michael Carrick has earned the Manchester United job, but the real test starts now
Michael Carrick has dragged Manchester United from 15th to third and a Champions League return, and won the job permanently. The hard part of the rebu...
May 24, 2026
The release clause died in January and Kane scored 36 more: Barcelona’s pursuit is now flattery, not a transfer
Harry Kane’s €65 million Bayern release clause expired at the end of January 2026, and Bayern want him to 2029. Barcelona can keep dreaming, but they...
Apr 15, 2026
Carrick or Nagelsmann? Manchester United’s two-man shortlist is really a one-man race
Manchester United have narrowed their permanent manager search to Michael Carrick and Julian Nagelsmann, but the case for keeping the interim boss who...
Apr 5, 2026
Arsenal are running out of chances and the Premier League title has to be enough
Two domestic cup exits in the space of two weeks have left Arsenal chasing the Premier League and Champions League alone, and the manner of Saturday’s...
Apr 4, 2026
Arsenal’s April schedule is the sternest test of an era. The next two weeks will tell us everything.
Arsenal travel to Lisbon for their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday with the Premier League title in touching distance, putting Mik...
Mar 25, 2026
Liverpool will miss Salah more than they think and replacing him might be impossible
Mohamed Salah’s departure leaves a hole that goes beyond goals and assists. Liverpool will spend years trying to fill it.