Adama Traore has gone supernova. He's blazing across the Premier League.Traore teased supporters for the first few years of his career, so much so that his profligacy reduced him to a punchline. Now, he’s a problem for which few Premier League teams seem to have answer; a hugely dangerous player, who seems to become increasingly so by the game.As a description of his rise, that’s misleading. It’s too simple. In fact, whenever potential is discussed it’s usually in similarly reductive terms. It’s always assumed that because a player has certain attributes at a particular age, that his abilities will just grow even over time. The mistake is to believe in an entirely natural process – to think that a footballer’s...
ArsenalArsenal’s need for defensive solidity has been obvious for a very long time. The Gunners have teenage centre-back William Saliba arriving in the summer - he was signed from Saint-Etienne last summer and loaned back for the season - but still need reinforcements. Beyond Sokratis and David Luiz, boss Mikel Arteta has Shkodran Mustafi, Rob Holding and Konstantinos Mavropanos.ALSO READ: 5 players Arsenal could sign this JanuaryKieran Tierney’s injury issues are another worry. The Scot’s Arsenal career is yet to really begin - he’s currently out with a shoulder problem until March and struggled early on in the season with fitness issues too. Sead Kolasinac - who was seen more of a left wing-back under Unai Emery than a left-back...
The Watford defeat was a new low for Eddie Howe in 11 years as Bournemouth manager. Not because they were woeful - and particularly so - but because of how flammable they looked in the fire of battle.This is a side that has avoided the whirlpool of the bottom three every year, just by out-scoring and out-running everyone. Sunday was a sorry surrender however, the slow collapse of a circus tent: no panic, just resignation that relegation beckons.Worry is growing and for the first time, there is talk of whether Howe is fit for office. If this soulless, goalless season does defeat him, there will be questions asked - of his sieve-like 4-4-2 and his players’ work ethic, not to...
Injury is part and parcel of being a footballer. Even so, Finn Tapp suffered a particularly nasty one last weekend.The 20-year-old was stretchered off during Oxford City's clash with Dartford last Saturday, after a clash of heads left him requiring treatment for eight minutes.Tapp's team-mates were understandably concerned about their stricken colleague, who joined the National League South side last summer.And they were probably even more worried when the youngster failed to turn up to training this week.Tapp was supposed to join up with the rest of the squad in preparation for Saturday's meeting with Braintree, having watched the second half of the Dartford game from the substitutes' bench. Hemay not have been available for selection for this weekend's match,...
Their sides have dominated the European Cup since its inception. Their players have ruled the world. But how much do you know about their league?As LaLigaTV launches in the UK this week, we thought we'd test your knowledge on the kings of Spanish football past and present.Different sides have had their own dynasties in Spain(including one big team that changed their name in the 1940s, but their current name will score you the points)but overall, there really aren't that many teams to guess.We've given you five minutes to have a stab at the La Liga champions all the way back to 1929. When you're done, send us your scores @FourFourTwo and share with your friends! While you're here, why not...