The inside story of Alou Kuol from South Sudan to Stuttgart
Alou Kuol’s rise from playing in the Australian youth leagues to becoming Sven Mislintat’s next potential diamond in the rough, has been exciting. Modern-day football is an intense business. The expectations from footballers are greater than ever before. When they step onto the pitch, the game has to be played with a laser-eyed focus. And … Continue Reading The inside story of Alou Kuol from South Sudan to Stuttgart
The inside story of Catarina Macário: A Star of the USA
Already a star of the women’s game, Catarina Macário is only just beginning her journey to superstardom. This is her inside story to date.
Christophe Galtier’s OGC Nice: An intriguing partnership
Christophe Galtier has arrived at Nice. Armed with some fascinating signings, and a talented squad, they will be a force to watch in coming years.
The inside story of Matteo Pessina: Monza’s jewel to Mancini’s joker
Slashed from Italy’s initial squad, a twist of fate saw Matteo Pessina step up to help his country win Euro 2020. From humble beginnings at Monza to the present day, this is the inside story of Matteo Pessina. As little as three years ago, Matteo Pessina was playing in Serie B. This summer, the Lombardy-born … Continue Reading The inside story of Matteo Pessina: Monza’s jewel to Mancini’s joker
Five Eastern European stars who will have a break-out 2021/22 season
Eastern European footballers caught the eye in 2020/21 and more will follow. From strikers faster than Kylian Mbappe to silky wingers and more. From Dominik Szoboszlai scoring belters from long range at Red Bull Salzburg last season, to Adam Hlozek’s rampaging through defences in Sparta Prague colours and Dusan Vlahovic shrugging Serie A defenders aside, … Continue Reading Five Eastern European stars who will have a break-out 2021/22 season
What’s next for Red Bull Salzburg after Daka and Marsch?
Red Bull Salzburg are set to undergo yet another metamorphosis, but what can we expect after Marsch and Daka? And who are the new stars to watch? Half of Jesse Marsch’s face was smiling, the other was welling up with tears. On the closing Saturday of the season, a small section of fans at the … Continue Reading What’s next for Red Bull Salzburg after Daka and Marsch?
Scouting by the numbers – Finding bargains at relegated clubs
As the summer transfer window looms in the shadows of Euro 2020, FTF takes a look at some standout performers at relegated clubs who will look to take the next step. Emi Buendia had a standout year in the EFL Championship in the 2020-21 season and many felt that not picking him up in the … Continue Reading Scouting by the numbers – Finding bargains at relegated clubs
Ryan Sessegnon: A point to prove in 21/22?
The arrival of Nuno Espirito Santo at Tottenham could benefit Ryan Sessegnon in his return to the club. It would remind fans of a rare talent still in its infancy.
Sportswashing in football, and the head burying dilemma
Sportswashing is as taboo a term as one can find in modern sport. Entangling the intricacies of sporting success with the means of getting there is a messy web for the brain to unwind.
The inside story of Attila Szalai: “Hungary’s Virgil Van Dijk”
Attila Szalai is catching the eye and attracting interest from some of Europe’s elite clubs. This is the story of how he was discovered in Cyprus. Sitting in a small bar in Mezőkövesd, Petros Konnafis was exhausted and drained. But most of all he was elated. It had taken months and weeks of negotiations and … Continue Reading The inside story of Attila Szalai: “Hungary’s Virgil Van Dijk”
Taofiq Jibril talks about the UEFA Conference League and MŠK Žilina
On the back of a historic goal for MŠK Žilina Taofiq Jibril is preparing for an important season and the club’s inaugural UEFA Conference League game. In the floodlit gleam of Štadión pod Dubňom the ball fizzed across the box to Taofiq Jibril. From the dirt-pitches of Kaduna to the yellow grass turfs of Portugal, … Continue Reading Taofiq Jibril talks about the UEFA Conference League and MŠK Žilina
Rising Nations: Australia, the A-League and Ange
Australia has long suffered a lowly status among European football discussions. The domestic league, plus a high profile manager, are doing everything to change that.
Scouting by the numbers – Euro 2020 edition
UEFA Euro 2020’s group stages offered a brief glimpse of some very intriguing talents. The extravaganza of international European football is about to enter the business end of things. Some very good teams and players have been unlucky in being unable to make the round of 16 clashes which have so far provided us with … Continue Reading Scouting by the numbers – Euro 2020 edition
The inside story of Jadon Sancho from London to Manchester United
South London has produced a plethora of stars, but perhaps none bigger than Jadon Sancho. This is the story of his roots in the sport and the city. London’s utopian mirage is painted by shimmering skyscrapers. Million-pound lavish mansions. Terraced houses with elaborate facades and towering urbanised flats. But in the alcoves, hidden behind the … Continue Reading The inside story of Jadon Sancho from London to Manchester United
The inside story of Jules Koundé: France’s starboy
It takes a special kind of defender to appeal to both the heart and mind. Then again, Jules Koundé is a special kind of defender.
Radamel Falcao and the fire and fury of 2010/11
Radamel Falcao has endured a career of twists and turns, highs and lows. Never has a high been higher than his magnificent 2009/10 season.
The inside story of Musa Barrow: From The Gambia to Serie A
Musa Barrow has come a long way from The Gambia. At 23 years of age, the sky is the limit for his potential. FTF spoke to his agent Lugi Sorrentino. On the outskirts of Banjul, Luigi Sorrentino’s eyes were fixed on a scrawny 14-year-old boy playing on an artificial pitch. He ran rings around his … Continue Reading The inside story of Musa Barrow: From The Gambia to Serie A
The story of Zaire at the 1974 World Cup
Zaire reaching the 1974 World Cup as the first sub-Saharan team should have been celebrated as a historic landmark. But it wasn’t. Here’s why. There is one clip which makes every World Cup bloopers reel. You’ve seen it. You’ll know it. During a game between Brazil and Zaire at the 1974 World Cup when the … Continue Reading The story of Zaire at the 1974 World Cup
The inside story of Aurélien Tchouaméni: ‘Embodying the generation of tomorrow’
Amongst the many exciting, eye catching talents at Monaco, Aurélien Tchouaméni is arguably clear of the rest. This alone is testament to a rare player, with a rare skillset.
Wakefield AFC: a club on the rise looking to transform a city
“I think the fact that Wakefield is the biggest city in the country to not have a professional football team gives us an edge”
The inside story of Abdul Fatawu Issahaku: Liverpool’s new signing?
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku is a name you might have to prepare to remember. That is according to Steadfast FC’s Musah Abdul-Rahim. Utrecht may be 7000 miles away from Tamale, but when the men from Steadfast FC first spotted Abdul Fatawu Issahaku it would have been easy to mistake him for a player from the Netherlands … Continue Reading The inside story of Abdul Fatawu Issahaku: Liverpool’s new signing?
Jordan Larsson: In the footsteps of his father at Euro 2020
Following in the footsteps of your father is always tough for any young player, especially when they’re a legend. But Jordan Larsson is starting to make a name for himself. Jordan Larsson’s father, Henrik Larsson, is an icon of Swedish football. He won 106 caps for his country scoring 37 times . At club level … Continue Reading Jordan Larsson: In the footsteps of his father at Euro 2020
Flying the flag: Exploring the Spaniards in Ekstraklasa
It appears to have gone under the radar, but an increasing number of Spanish players have switched their homeland for pastures new in Poland. Here, FTF ask the experts on their thoughts as to why this shift is occurring. If we look at some basic statistics from the 2020/21 Ekstraklasa, it becomes apparent that the … Continue Reading Flying the flag: Exploring the Spaniards in Ekstraklasa
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