Cultured Football #176
Cultured Football #176
Transfer Hucksters. No Star PSG. Scotland's Millennium Bug. New Hope for Non-FIFA. Liverpool's Shot Problem.
Why Is Soccer’s Most Famous Scoopster Doing PR Work For Mason Greenwood?
By Luis Paez-Pumar for Defector
Social media - particularly Twitter - is awash with ‘journalists’ whose only contribution is to feed the ever churning transfer rumour mill. The most famous of these manage to build huge followings of super-loyal fans who hang by their every word even though they’re either mouthpieces for agents or merely rip-off the news from other, proper journalists. Few stop to ask why these individuals do what they do and much less hold them accountable for what they say.
By ditching its superstars, Paris Saint-Germain aims to achieve something greater
By Kevin Baster for the LA Times
For the first time in nearly a decade, Paris St Germain began the season without a recognised ‘galactico’. Unlike last time round, there was no last minute attempt to stop Kylian Mbappe from leaving with PSG instead opting to focus on building a team of super-talented young players without splashing out on any stars. Whatever the results - and expectations are as high as ever - the result is likely to be a more likeable and exciting team.
Scottish football’s Millennium bug – how spending froze to create a cross-border chasm
By for
There was a time where the clubs at the top of the Scottish game could match the spending power of their rivals down South. Those times, however, are long gone. This brilliant analysis illustrates just how big the chasm between the two leagues has grown and how clubs, even relegation certainties from the Premier League, are operating at a wholly different level.
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Non-FIFA football: New hope for the Unrepresented
By for
When, in 2018, CONIFA hosted a successful World Football Cup for non-FIFA teams in London it seemed like the beginning of a new competition that could shed light on these teams. Instead, due to teething issues, instability and the Covid-19 pandemic, subsequent events have been cancelled or postponed which has led to frustration and criticism from fans and former members. Now a new organisation has emerged with fresh plans and hopes for those countries looking for international football.
Slot's Shot Problem (and Solution)
By for
Liverpool’s problem last season is widely acknowledged as being a defence that let in too many goals. And, whilst there is truth in that, there were also problems at the other end of the pitch that need addressing.
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Every Saturday, Cultured Football brings you five great football articles you will enjoy reading.
Last Week’s Most Read: Premier League 2024-25 mega-preview: Team-by-team analysis
By Bill Connelly and Ryan O'Hanlon for ESPN
Well, you knew this was coming. There are many (MANY) fine previews of the Premier League out there but I went for this because it has the right mix of opinions and data.
Bonus Pick: Nine Premier League Records That Could Be Broken in 2024-25.