Opinion

5 Players Who Have Exceeded Expectations In The Premier League

The Premier League season is a mere three weeks old, but there have already been players outperforming expectations at the first international break, like these five.

3 Players Who Could Replace Hope Solo For The USWNT

After receiving a six-month ban from the USWNT for calling Sweden's national team "cowards," it appears we may have already seen the last of Hope Solo for the USA. So who will replace her? We figure there are three options.

Takeaways From The Champions League Group Stage Draw

A quick word about the actual Champions League draw: it's a big dumb ceremony that needs some fixing, but will never be fixed because UEFA will never, ever admit that something is bad enough to need fixing. Anyway, the groups have been announced, and there's some fun stuff in here.

In Football, Managers Are Overrated And Optional

The 2016-17 Premier League is the “Year of the Manager.” Some of the world’s most famous, eccentric and respected managers have come to England in search of glory. Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Jurgen Klopp and Arsene Wenger are all elite level managers who have won major trophies throughout Europe. Through tactics, man-management and mind games only one deserving manager will lift the Premier League trophy in May. 

Or maybe none of the aforementioned managers will lift the trophy.  

Jurgen Klopp Is A Delight

Jurgen Klopp is the most delightful manager in the Premier League and here's why:

From the BBC:

"Alberto could have done better but I don't really understand what we are talking about," Klopp said.

"I cannot be interested in criticism from other people."

It Took Pep Guardiola For Everyone To Acknowledge Joe Hart Is Overrated

New Manchester City manager Pep guardiola is reportedly hunting for a new goalkeeper even though his current keeper, Joe Hart, is England's number one and viewed by most as perfectly servicable and by some as very good.

Aston Villa Are Still Terrible

Not long ago, Aston Villa Chairman Dr. Tony Xia tweeted that he thinks Villa can be a top club in Europe and have the "highest number of fans all over the world."

Well, that's certainly a bold goal, but maybe it isn't as far-fetched as we think. After all, maybe this Dr. Tony guy really knows what he's doing, and maybe we should all just try to be optimistic and—

Sweden Is The Team These Olympics Deserve

We've already covered many of the terrible things that have gone on before and during the Olympics, but here's a refresher: the Zika virus, deadly bacteria in the water, the police and fire departments can't protect anybody, everything is dirty, the diving pool turned green, it's really hot, a camera fell on some people, the Olympic Village is unfit for human habitation and the Sweden Women's National Team is making soccer unwatchable.

Chelsea Are Still Eminently Hateable

Good news for all the Chelsea haters out there: you are still permitted to hate them.

The bad news is that Chelsea are still eminently hateable because they keep winning in that eminently hateable Chelsea style of theirs. Based on Monday's 2-1 win against West Ham, Antonio Conte's side won't finish 10th again this season.

The first Chelsea goal of the Antonio Conte era came via an Eden Hazard penalty, which seemed inevitable after Chelsea players kept running into the area then falling down, writhing and shrieking. Oscar is particularly adept at this.

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