NEWS
A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
How did Arsenal fall so far and what can they do to rebuild?
The story of the Invincibles who became the Inevitables. How much longer until they rise from their ruins?
League of Future Stars: Seven former French Ligue 1 players thriving in the Premier League
It may not be considered the best league in the world but the best players have and continue to come through its ranks. The French Ligue 1 is the league of legends.
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?
EPL: Who is to blame for Manchester United’s current state?
Six years after Fergie, four managerial appointments and hundreds millions of pounds spent but still no signs of the United ship steadying to former glories. What’s going on?
Which of the newly promoted clubs from the Championship have the best chance of staying up?
Let’s play fortune-teller and ponder on who will most certainly avoid the Premier League relegation chop. The lavish spenders of Aston Villa, Teemu Pukki’s Norwich City or the Blades of Sheffield?
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.
UCL Review: Why Liverpool got blanked in Spain and Barcelona battered in England
A tale of two tales. Here is a review of how Messi pick-pocketed Liverpool and the Reds in turn completing a miraculous comeback against the Blaugrana on their way to the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League final in Madrid.
Even without a Top 4 finish, Emery deserves some accolades
Unai Emery and Arsenal were faced with the tantalizing prospect of landing a Premier League Top 4 spot and bringing Champions League football back to the club. Considering the all-round changes, they have undergone as a club and stiff competition from their top 6 rivals, the Spaniard could be deserving a mighty shout-out as the Gunners still have a chance.
ABSA Premiership: Four horse title race goes down to the wire
Four unrelenting teams separated by only two points and with only seven matches remaining in the South African ABSA Premiership. Not many title races get much better than this.
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.
City may be on the rise, but Mahrez's yet to find his place in Pep's side
Algerian playmaker is Manchester City’s record signing of all time. Even though he is boasting of impressive stats such as 4 assists and a goal in 3 Champions League matches and 5 goals in 10 EPL appearances, more is expected - if he to become a regular in Pep’s side.
Auba has been clutch, but can his goals bring CL football back to the Emirates?
Aubameyang’s legend is growing quickly in London, as Arsenal’s official club website have already labelled him, “a man for all seasons.” In the midst of the issues enveloping the club, the Gabonese international cannot just stop scoring. But will his and Lacazette’s goals be enough to secure a Top 4 finish in the Premier League?
Egypt's talented Ramadan Sobhi faces an uphill task back to the limelight
After an impressive start to his professional career with record CAF Champions League winners, Ah Ahly, Sobhi found himself in the English Premier League. First with Stoke City and now with Huddersfield Town until he had to return where it all started in a loan move. What does the future hold for the 22-year-old?
Did Seri cut himself short by joining Premier League strugglers, Fulham?
Fulham are very much caught up in the relegation battle and face and uphill task to safety as far as the Premier League is concerned. Seri who could have been playing Champions League football or chasing some big European league title if he had only made the choice to, finds himself in the Whites’ predicament. Any regrets for the Ivorian?
Christmas Cheer for Africans in the Premier League
We compiled the top moments from the English Premier League’s Matchday 18 that continued to see many familiar faces on the top of their game. This 3-way Golden Boot race between Aubameyang, Salah, and Kane is only getting started.
Sadio Mane Explained
The Premier League’s Sadio Mane is a player that when in form, is one of the best players in the world, with his 22nd place finish in the 2018 Ballon d’Or rankings. However, when off form, inconsistency has crept into his game at times. As he remains one of Klopp and Liverpool’s favored attackers, check out our thoughts on the forward’s profile as a player.
UCL Matchday 5: Lyon's African cast set to slow Man City's momentum
Lyon is the only team to have humbled Manchester City to a defeat in the 2018/19 season. Can they do it again at home In France as the UEFA Champions League group stage draws to a close?
Romelu Lukaku - "The Belgian of Congolese descent"
With over 100 Premier League goals to his name, Belgium’s record goal scorer has had a life and career full of goals. Check out motivates the man who leads the line for Belgium and Manchester United.