Transfer – For me, Clive

Necessary merry-go-rounds under threat as clubs struggle to offload big ticket flops

In 2014, Brian Phillips published an excellent article for Grantland marking Lionel Messi’s 10th anniversary at Barcelona, entitled ‘The Ball is the End’. Phillips articulates and marvels at the purity of Messi’s connection to the game throughout his career; one that remains so utterly fulfilling as to reduce everything that surrounds it – opponents, expectations,Continue reading “Necessary merry-go-rounds under threat as clubs struggle to offload big ticket flops”

Nicolas Pepe to lead attacking charge into new dawn at Arsenal

(First published:24th August 2019 on William Hill Transfer Hub site) After 2 years and 3 Europa League place finishes since former chief-executive Ivan Gazidis’ now infamous ‘catalyst for change’ statement preceding Arsene Wenger’s departure, Arsenal fans may be forgiven for thinking the winds of change have not blown through the corridors of the Emirates with enoughContinue reading “Nicolas Pepe to lead attacking charge into new dawn at Arsenal”

Pressure on Maguire to leave cult figure behind and become defensive titan of Old Trafford folklore

First published on William Hill transfer hub site From Charlie Chaplin to John Wayne, Hollywood can be fertile ground for the typecast. First impressions, as they say, go a long way, and the very existence of the typecast suggests that at some point the particular impression made on the viewer by such a performer wasContinue reading “Pressure on Maguire to leave cult figure behind and become defensive titan of Old Trafford folklore”