Next Generation 2026: 60 of the best young talents in world football
By Various Authors for The Guardian
Every year, the Guardian pick those which they feel are the best 60 young talents in the world. Every year I pick them for Cultured Football. Simply love scrolling through this list and getting a glimpse of the future.
Bonus Read: 3 underrated gems from France who could be set for big moves
[Mohamed Mohamed x Transfer Flow]
The French league might be facing challenges but it remains unrivalled when it comes to the development of talent.
Bonus Read: Scouting League Two’s under the radar talents
[Ali Maxwell x NTT20.COM]
League Two footballers rarely attract attention beyond their own supporters or clubs they play against. Yet the talent is there.
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Inside the £1-an-hour official football shirt factories
By Tom Grundy for the BBC
I recently spent around £200 for two football kits for my children and, as often happens when I make a similar purchase, I wonder why they seem to be getting more expensive every season. So it was quite uncomfortable - on many levels - to read that the Cambodian factories producing kits for some of Europe’s biggest clubs pay workers less than £1 an hour and offer difficult working conditions.
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The Geography of Winning
By Dave Proudlove for Football Heritage
English football clubs have always been shaped by the places they represent, from industrial cities to provincial towns. Often, the managers who leave the deepest impression are the ones who get this connection and reflect it.
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Each week on Cultured Football we pick the five great football stories from the previous seven days.
How deep does Italy’s stadium crisis go?
By Luke Taylor for FORZA CALCIO
The 1990 World Cup saddled Italian football with stadia that quite simply did not work. Euro 2032, and the resulting investment in stadia, offers an opportunity to fix this. Yet it also presents a challenge in preserving the character of most stadia whilst hoping that fans are kept in mind.
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How Real Betis Built Their European Success Under Manuel Pellegrini
By James Callan for Touchline
For most of their history, Real Betis have alternated between moments of promise and others of disappointmetn. Under Manuel Pellegrini, however, they have found consistency with six consecutive European qualifications reflecting patient management, intelligent recruitment and growing financial ambition. Sustaining that progress, particularly with an expensive stadium redevelopment ahead, may prove to be the biggest challenge.
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In Case You Missed It Here’s Last Week’s Most Read: What Manchester City Stole From Us All
By Sham for The Non-Negotiables
I spent quite some time debating whether to include anything on the Manchester City verdict. Surely, part of me felt, people have already had enough about this whole debacle. Ultimately, however, I felt that it was too big a story to keep out and went for this opinion from an Arsenal perspective.
Thanks a million for including my Betis piece, Paul! Not bad company to find myself in alongside the Guardian and BBC. Really appreciate it mate, some cracking reads in here! 🙌
Thank you for including the latest newsletter!