IQ - Soccer Wiretap

City Hasn't Lost In Past 60 Matches Played With Rodri

Mar 8, 2024 12:25 PM

A piece in the New York Times by Rory Smith argues that Rodri has become not only the best play on Manchester City but also the best player in the Premier League.

The last time Rodri played and Manchester City lost was in February 2023. Rodri has featured in 60 matches since then and City has not lost any of them.

City's defeats this season, to Wolves and to Arsenal and to Aston Villa, were without Rodri.

As a defensive midfielder, it is challenging to exactly quantify Rodri's impact on matches. Rodri is an excellent passer, controls space and also controls tempo not to mention his impact on stopping the opposing team.

Sportsbooks also show Rodri to be the favorite to win Premier League Player of the Year. 

Rory Smith/New York Times

Tags: Manchester City, IQ

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Dribbling Up 30 Percent In Premier League Since 18-19

Mar 1, 2024 2:01 PM

Dribbling actions have increased dramatically in the Premier League over the past few years.

As part of an in-depth article on the topic for The Athletic, John Muller reports that dribbling actions are up more than 30 percent in the Premier League since the 18-19 season.

The Champions League has been slower to catch up, but dribbling actions are up to 14 per match from 11 over most of the past five years. 

During the group stage of the Premier League, La Real’s playmaker Takefusa Kubo and PSV’s human espresso shot Johan Bakayoko had the most dribbling actions.

“Today, without players who dribble, you can’t do anything,” Pep Guardiola said a few years ago. “Attacking a team parked in front of goal without players who dribble and give you superiority out wide is impossible.”

John Muller/The Athletic

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Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham Headline Guardian's Top 100 For 2023

Jan 5, 2024 2:58 PM

Erling Haaland is the best soccer player in the world ahead of Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe in The Guardian's Top 100 list to close 2023. Haaland ranked fourth in 2022 while Bellingham was 14th. Lionel Messi dropped from first to 10th as he moved from PSG to Inter Miami.

The Guardian Top 100, 2023

  1. Erling Haaland
  2. Jude Bellingham
  3. Kylian Mbappe
  4. Harry Kane
  5. Rodri
  6. Vinicius Junior
  7. Mohamed Salah
  8. Kevin De Bruyne
  9. Victor Osimhen
  10. Lionel Messi
  11. Bernardo Silva
  12. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
  13. Lautaro Martinez
  14. Bukayo Saka
  15. Antoine Griezmann
  16. Ilkay Gundogan
  17. Robert Lewandowski
  18. Martin Odegaard
  19. Julian Alvarez
  20. Jamal Musiala
  21. Ruben Dias
  22. Declan Rice
  23. Ederson
  24. Son Heung-min
  25. Luka Modric
  26. John Stones
  27. Cristiano Ronaldo
  28. Gavi
  29. Nicolo Barella
  30. Rafael Leao
  31. Fede Valverde
  32. Pedri
  33. Rodrygo
  34. Marc-Andre ter Stegen
  35. Alisson
  36. Karim Benzema
  37. Kim Min-jae
  38. Leroy Sane
  39. Thibaut Courtois
  40. William Saliba
  41. Phil Foden
  42. Bruno Fernandes
  43. Eduardo Camavinga
  44. Virgil van Dijk
  45. Kyle Walker
  46. Emiliano Martinez
  47. Achraf Hakimi
  48. Florian Wirtz
  49. Jake Grealish
  50. Olivier Giroud
  51. Joshua Kimmich
  52. Dominick Szoboszlai
  53. Gabriel Martinelli
  54. Josko Gvardiol
  55. Hakan Calhanoglu
  56. Ronald Araujo
  57. Trent Alexander-Arnold
  58. Yassine 'Bono' Bounou
  59. Alexis Mac Allister
  60. Bruno Guimaraes
  61. Federico Dimarco
  62. Andre Onana
  63. Kieran Trippier
  64. Victor Boniface
  65. German Cano
  66. Xavi Simons
  67. Marcus Rashford
  68. Luis Diaz
  69. Frenkie de Jong
  70. Toni Kroos
  71. Kaoru Mitoma
  72. Serhou Guirassy
  73. Alvaro Morata
  74. Alex Grimaldo
  75. Santiago Gimenez
  76. Randal Kolo Muani
  77. James Maddison
  78. Darwin Nunez
  79. Alessandro Bastoni
  80. Romelu Lukaku
  81. David Alaba
  82. Enzo Fernandez
  83. Angel Di Maria
  84. Mike Maignan
  85. Gabriel Jesus
  86. Aurelien Tchouameni
  87. Alexander Isak
  88. Cristian Romero
  89. Jan Oblak
  90. Lois Openda
  91. Antonio Rudiger
  92. Riyad Mahrez
  93. Granit Xhaka
  94. Marcelo Brozovic
  95. Theo Hernandez
  96. Alphonso Davies
  97. Denzel Dumfries
  98. Ollie Watkins
  99. Warren Zaire-Emery
  100. Marcus Thuram

RealGM Staff Report

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Patrick Vieira Appointed Manager At Crystal Palace

Jul 4, 2021 1:40 PM

Crystal Palace have officially named Patrick Vieira as the club's next manager.

Palace, looking to replace Roy Hodgson, were nearing a deal with Lucien Favre before talks broke down.

"It is a project that is really appealing to me, having spoken a lot with the chairman and sporting director about their ambition and plans for the whole club, including the academy," said Vieira.

Vieira began his managerial career in 2016 with NYCFC, leading the club to their first-ever playoff appearance.

He was most recently sacked from Nice in 2020. 


ESPN

Tags: Crystal Palace, IQ

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Columbus To Rebrand, Will Drop 'Crew' From Nickname

May 10, 2021 1:19 AM

Columbus are set to unveil a rebrand that involves dropping the nickname "Crew," sources told ESPN.

The club will simply go by Columbus SC, will an announcement as early as Tuesday.

The team will also rebrand their club logo, but will keep their black and gold colors.

"Recently, images have surfaced depicting a new logo for Columbus Crew SC. The Crew and the Black and Gold remain at our core, and we continue to embrace and respect our heritage while modernizing our marks as our club and the city of Columbus evolve. We look forward to revealing those in their entirety in the near future," released the club in a statement. 

Columbus are also close to moving into their new $314 stadium in downtown. 

ESPN

Tags: Columbus Crew, IQ

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Jurgen Klopp Doesn't Expect Transfer Plans To Change If They Miss UCL

Apr 30, 2021 1:38 PM

Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool's summer plans won't be impacted if they miss out on the Champions League next season.

Liverpool are four points out of the top-4.

"The Champions League is massive, especially financially for the club," Klopp told a news conference. "If we cannot make that, that is not good. Definitely not.

"But I don't think it will change anything. The situation was difficult before and it is difficult after. It is always difficult."

Aramide Oladipo/ESPN

Tags: Liverpool, IQ, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Rafa Marquez To Return To Barcelona In Academy Role

Apr 24, 2021 6:56 PM

Rafa Marquez revealed that he will return to Barcelona as a coach in the academy.

"The reason why I supported his campaign [for president] was because of this good friendship. They believed in me, in that resurging of Barcelona, and there's a good relationship. After he won the elections at Barcelona, there was an offer to return to the academy," said Marquez.

Marquez spent seven seasons with the club.

Marquez added that he's still working complete his coaching license. 

"I still don't have my UEFA Pro licence. I need a year [to complete it] and the invitation that they're giving me is to help with my progress and opens the doors to one of the best teams but, above all, one of the best academies."

Marca

Tags: Barcelona, IQ

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MLS: Inter Miami Broke Rule With Blaise Matuidi Signing

Apr 17, 2021 4:36 PM

MLS concluded that Inter Miami broke the league's Designated Player rule in their signing of Blaise Matuidi last season.

The team could still face sanctions from MLS.

Matuidi, who was signed on a free transfer last summer, was initially categorized as a Target Allocation Money (TAM) player. His pay was above the limit for TAM players, and thus should have been categorized as a Designated Player.

The club already had reached the limit with three DPs by the time of the Matuidi signing. 

Miami's three current DPs this season are Gonzalo Higuain, Rodolfo Pizarro, and Matuidi.

Former DP Matias Pellegrini was bought out of his contract and will join the club's USL League One affiliate this season. 

ESPN

Tags: Inter Miami, IQ, Legal

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Hansi Flick To Leave Bayern Munich At End Of Season

Apr 17, 2021 4:25 PM

Hansi Flick has confirmed that he will leave Bayern Munich at the end of this season.

"I told the team today that I informed the club during the week after the game in Paris that I would like to terminate my contract at the end of the season," said Flick.

Flick has been linked with the German national team job.

The manager has won six titles since taking over the role in July 2019.

ESPN

Tags: Bayern Munich, Germany, IQ, Misc Rumor

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Ralf Rangnick No Longer In Running For Schalke Sporting Director

Mar 21, 2021 6:16 PM

Ralf Rangnick released a statement saying that he is no longer in running for Schalke's sporting director role.

"The overwhelmingly positive reactions from members of the Konigsblauen community have influenced me and confirmed my feelings for this very special club.

"I would have loved to have been involved in helping Schalke on its difficult road back to its former strength. 

"Unfortunately, due to the numerous uncertainties within the club at the moment, I do not see myself being able to take on sporting responsibility at S04 at the moment," wrote Rangnick.

Schalke said they were surprised by Rangnick's announcement.

Rangnick had declared his interest in pursuing the German national team manager role. 

BeIn Sports

Tags: FC Schalke 04, IQ

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