NEWS
A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
Will this be Leicester’s strongest season in the Premier League since their 2016 Championship?
How tameable if at all, are Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes this 2019/20 Premier League season? Not so much is the short answer.
Is Manchester City’s success just a reflection of their bank account?
The 19/20 Premier League season resulted in a domestic treble in for Pep and Manchester, including a second successive top-flight league title. Is it all just because they have the only squad valued at over $1 billion in the entire world, or because of the Pep-effect?
English Premier League: Who will challenge for European football?
The world’s favorite league is back with bang. Eager to look at who will likely finish above the rest this campaign? We got you, we have rounded most of the promising sides who could push for titles and European football in the new season.
How will the English Premier League's "Big 6" rank this season?
FT’s own Siphosethu has thrown his predictions into the hat regarding the final placement of the “Big 6” on the English Premier League table come May 2020 and Arsenal fans won’t be quite impressed. How do you think they will fare? Or will perhaps an underdog creep in and still any of the spot?
How did Salah take the "next step"?
Premier League title or not, one thing is for certain. Mo Salah is no one-season wonder. The Egyptian pharaoh made the jump to world class territory after winning the Premier League Golden Boot back-to-back. Approaching only his 27th birthday, what looks like a “sky is the limit” career didn’t always look a sure measure.
Liverpool’s African “imports” are out there making dreams come true
When’s the last time your team has had two African both finish with 20+ goals in all competitions? Klopp is probably the only one raising his hand. Even though Mane and Salah’s stellar seasons weren’t enough to secure Liverpool’s first Premier League title in almost 30 years, both could still make the difference in Madrid.
Why a Hazard move to Real Madrid makes sense this summer
The Garden of Eden in West London’s Stamford Bridge could very soon have to let go of the talisman. Belgium’s captain who recently wore his 100th cap for the country is tipped to join record Champions League winners, Real Madrid. The move just makes sense.
Senegal's Mane delivering the goods just when Liverpool needs him to
Are we witnessing Mane ascend to “World Class” before our very eye? With eleven goals in the last eleven matches, the Senegalese might just hand the Reds a Champions League and English Premier League title in a single season after many years of drought.
Emmanuel Frimpong: The end of a chapter
For a long-time, the former Arsenal midfielder has had to play through the pain. Now, at the tender age of 27, the former Ghanaian international has decided to hang up his boots. Lest we forget, he has left us with solid memories created across his experience in the Premier League, Russian Premier League, UEFA Champions League, English Championship etc
Callum Hudson-Odoi: Demanding a seat at the table
Most of Chelsea’s veteran forwards are way past their prime and with increasing speculation that Eden Hazard could be snapped by the UEFA Champions League holders, Real Madrid, the Blues also have work to do if they are to keep the 18-year-old in the Premier League. Whom they need to.
Time for Gueye to depart consistently average Everton?
Senegal’s Idrissa Gueye has been the Premier League’s overall best defensive midfielder and tackler in the past four seasons and yet remains without the pride of every footballer, some silverware. No other player could benefit more from a transfer than the 29-year-old.
African Stars: Pick of the weekend's action
It’s all here, Belfodil’s quick brace that stunned league leaders, Dortmund; Zaha’s return to the scoresheet, En-Nesyri’s hat-trick, Alex Iwobi, Liverpool, and much more of the weekend’s action from all over the world.
Giant slayer & African studded Leicester take aim at Liverpool
With more than 6 African players available for selection in Liverpool and Leicester’s Premier League meeting, we could be treated to an AFCON 2019 ‘warm up match’ away from the continent.
FT's 10 Best Moments of 2018: #1 The global reign of the Egyptian King
Looking back on the year, 2018 and the Legend of Mo Salah have now become synonymous. The Egyptian took the Premier League by storm, and is showing zero signs of slowing down, as he continues to spearhead maybe the most balanced team in the country in Klopp’s Liverpool. Here’s to more of the same in 2019!
FT's 10 Best Moments of 2018: #5 No mercy, Percy
Percy Tau had the whole of South Africa on lockdown in 2018 before jumping ship to Europe, effectively becoming a gift to all of Mamelodi Sundowns’ opponents. More importantly, he has hit the ground running with Belgian side Union SG with 7 goals and 6 assists.
Is there a big club who does not want Napoli & Senegalese's Koulibaly?
Kalidou Koulibaly is now easily one of the best centre-backs in the world if not the best. His displays in the Italian Serie A, UEFA Champions League and even at the 2018 FIFA World Cup have made him a highly experienced asset bound to become the world’s most expensive defender if he switches clubs. A potential move looks imminent as the top clubs circle the 27-year-old.
10 Africans unsettled in the English Premier League: #5 Victor Wanyama
The January transfer window is a few weekends away. In our anticipation and excitement of possible moves, we have taken to lay down 10 “unsettled” African stars in the English top flight, the Premier League. As we continue with the countdown, Kenya’s Wanyama occupies the fifth player on the list.
FT Sideline: Why has Aubameyang been so prolific?
The Gabonese captain has seamlessly switched to the Emirates stadium and has quickly become one of the Premier League’s most respected strikers. With 20 goals for Arsenal in 31 matches and joint EPL top scorer alongside Sergio Aguero this season, the numbers are starting to look like his Dortmund days. But what makes him tick?