abulezz

December 24, 2021

THE SOPHARA JOURNAL

SEASON REVIEW 2031/2032

TEAM REVIEW

This was a more emotionally charged and intense year than most, especially with the £94M sale of Jakub Berkovec. The Czech winger made his much-hyped move to Chelsea after the club met his Minimum Release Clause one year before the end of his contract after it became clear that Abul Ezz was going to let it play it out and potentially lose him on a free. There was tension in the locker-room with Elvis Kozic talking publicly about his bust-up with Darrell Allen and his feeling of lack of respect from the club manager. Throughout it all, however, the players held it together and ended up with their best finish of all time, improving from 9^th to 7^th Place as they got one step closer to their dreams of Europe becoming a reality – just one spot off. The team registered club best in the Premier League with 76 Goals Scored (5^th in PL) and 55 Goals Conceded (10^th), playing their best-ever offense and defense since joining the world’s most competitive league. Bekir Celik won his third EPL Young Player of the Year award to silence the doubters again. In the Cups, they reached the Fifth Round of the FA Cup before falling to Ipswich on penalties while it was a Fourth Round knockout in the Carabao Cup to Arsenal.

As the 2030s start forming their own identity away from the 2020s, so has the first team of Sophara United. Only four starters remain from the First Generation, an era which has officially been considered over. It was a generation whose identity was resilience, shock, and class – storming up the leagues like bulls but in suits. The upcoming generation – whenever it happens – has yet to form an identity and still feels like loosely tied strings with continuous looks elsewhere. Berkovec already left, and Celik continues to stall on signing on a new contract. It’s not all doom and gloom, however, as the SYA set up its third branch in Germany. SYA Germany has already delivered a German prospect, albeit not one who looks to have any future with the club. The finances have gone north of £350M as plans to expand the Sophara United Stadium ramp up. This is also a team that just finished one spot off of going to Europe.

Abul Ezz has stayed true to the culture of the club and has not brought on a single player from outside the SYA. The First Generation is in its prime years, but the SYA has done a good job of bringing in and developing enough talent that have exceeded the First Generation in talent. The 2020s will forever been associated with the First Generation’s rise to the Premier League and subsequently being competitive in it. The 2030s – at least the early part of it – has been all about the first batch of stars that came through the SYA (Berkovec, Lawrence, Celik) and their rise to global fame and the decisions they have taken. The manager has said he wants the 2030s to be about Sophara United’s first days in Europe, but that has yet to unfold. If the club continues to improve, however, the next step will be that dream becoming a reality.

GOALKEEPERS

DARREN ALLEN (England: 11 U21 Caps) – Age: 20 ('28 Youth Class) – Position: GK

This was the best season of Darren Allen’s career thus far. He played in all 38 Games for the first time in his career, registering career-highs of 1.45 Con/90, 9 Clean Sheets, and 7.19 AR. He was named in the PL Team of the Week four times as his value shot up past £35M. The drama with Kozic has been put behind him and his manager has taken a firm stance with Allen – it is possibly the reason Ezz did not play Kozic in a single game this year. In any case, Allen continues to be under the watchful eye of England manager Andreas Herzog, who took over from John Coleman in August of 2030. He carries 4+/5 PA and has mountains of experience for a player his age, having already played in 119 League Games for the club. A hugely important member of the first team.

FULLBACKS

PATRICK BOLA (France: 22 U21 Caps) – Age: 23 ('25 Youth Class) – Position: DL

He’s nothing if he isn’t consistent – for the third time in four years, he registered 6.85 AR for the season. In 32 Appearances, he also registered 2 Assists, 58.94 PC/90, 91% Passes Completed, 1.92 T/90, 61 Tackles Won, 64 Blocks (2^nd in PL), and 107 Interceptions. In other words, solid if unspectacular numbers. The French/Congolese full-back has seemingly reached his ceiling – a decent Premier League-level DL who gets the job done. Is he the best in the league at his position? No, but he doesn’t need to be. There are some who expected him to be better by now than he really is – some thought he could have potentially been a French international – but even though the hype on him has died down, he still remains an integral part of the starting eleven.

MOHAMMED ADU (England: 16 U21 Caps) – Age: 20 (’27 Youth Class) – Position: DR (DC)

The improvement over the last few years has been noticeable and constant, and it continued this year as the transformation of Adu into becoming a Premier League-level DR get closer to completion. He had his best season yet – in 31 Games, he registered 1.33 T/90, 39 Tackles Won, 125 Interceptions (2^nd on team), and a career-high 6.92 AR. He still has 4+/5 PA rating and has continued to play for the English U21 team. He is known to be a smart player with good defensive abilities, a mature character both on and off the pitch. The English/Ghanaian is a product of SYA Ghana, a fantastic setup that has already provided the first team with two players in Adu and Razak. This was the first season of his career he played in over 30 Games.

HOT PROSPECTS & OTHER NOTABLES

Ger Lennon (26 Apps (15 Starts), 1.90 T/90, 93% Passes Completed, 6.73 AR) delivered pretty much a replica of last season….His best days in the Premier League have been part of the rotation but not being an official starter….He is still prone to some bad games but at least he has proven somewhat reliable….Chris Bolland (’32 Youth Class) will be one to watch over the next few years – he has yet to make his debut and its unclear if he will next season, but the rookie just came up from the SYA and carries a 4.5/5 PA….He might be small in stature, but his defensive skills – especially his tackling ability – has already gotten him noticed by the staff.

CENTRAL DEFENDERS

TOM HORGAN (Ireland: 1 Cap) – Age: 28 – Position: DC

A core representation of the First Generation, the club vice-captain is generally known as the ‘Heart of the First Generation’ – clear evidence as to just how meaningful Horgan is to the club. He had his finest season in his six in the Premier League so far – in 34 Appearances, he registered 64.20 PC/90 (Best on team), 95% Passes Completed, 93 Interceptions, and 7.06 AR. His manager’s proclamations at the end of last season, where he said this was an off-season for the defender and signs of regression, have wrong true as the Irish DC bounced back from his first injury-plagued season to deliver his finest in the past six. One of the strongest defenders in the air in the English Premier League today.

AKIM LAWRENCE (England: 24 U21 Caps) – Age: 24 (’23 Youth Class) – Position: DC

Despite not having a single Cap to his name, Lawrence was rewarded for another strong season by getting called up to the English squad for the Euros at Holland/Belgium 2032. In 36 Games, he registered 2 PoMs, 61.77 PC/90, 97% Passes Completed, 1.31 T/90, 47 Tackles Won, 138 Interceptions, and 7.12 AR. He was named to the PL Team of the Week twice this season as he has embraced being the club captain, leading the Premier League with 513 Possessions Won. Part of the late 2020s core that also featured Bekir Celik and the now sold Jakub Berkovec, like the other he has made some noise about wanting to play at a bigger stage. Berkovec got his move to Chelsea but Lawrence has shown some signs of being open to remaining, so it will be interesting to see how it plays out for the greatest defender the SYA has ever produced.

HOT PROSPECTS & OTHER NOTABLES

James Burgess (15 Apps (4 Starts), 95% Passes Completed, 6.73 AR) played in a career-low number of games and had a the second worst AR of his career….He has suggested to the media that a fresh challenge would be welcome, although his manager has not taken any official stance on the matter….Judging by his reduced playing time, however, it seems like his manager is already attempting to adjust to life after Burgess in the rotation….There quite a few DC prospects coming in as rookies next season so the assumption is that we are going to see at least one or two of them.

CENTRAL/ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS

JOE SHEPPARD (England: 10 U21 Caps/1 Goal) – Age: 28 – Position: MC

Officially, the club only has one legend and that is manager/owner Abul Ezz. It does have three ‘Icons’, however – Joe Reardon, Bekir Celik, and Joe Sheppard. The latter is arguably the most popular player in the history of the club and is known as the ‘Brains of the First Generation’, whereas Tom Horgan is the heart and Reardon is the soul. The creative juices on the team definitely flow through Sheppard, however, whose influence in controlling the tempo of the attack has been one of Sophara United’s strongest points in the Premier League. He was at it again this season – in 37 Games, he registered 14 Goals, 12 Assists (2^nd in PL), 91 Key Passes (8^th), 25 Clear-Cut Chances (1^st), 81% Passes Completed, and 7.24 AR. Evidence on just how hard he works in the middle? He led the Premier League with 509km Distance Covered. His 429 League Appearances is a club record as he also has 131 Goals and 128 Assists – approaching the rare company of the 150+Goals/150+Assists club.

RONNIE FLOOD (England: Capped at U19) – Age: 28 – Position: MC

Try as they might, there just has been no replacing Ronnie Flood in the starting lineup. In a position that has a number of young prospects trying to earn playing time, Flood delivered perhaps the best season of his career so far. In 31 Appearances (19 Starts), he registered 2 Goals, 5 Assists, 81% Passes Completed, 1.41 D/90, and 7.03 AR which was the highest of his career in the Premier League. He has developed a fantastic relationship with Joe Sheppard over the years and the connection is obvious when they are on the pitch together. An underrated member of the First Generation, he is a favorite of the hardcore section of the fanbase.

HOT PROSPECTS & OTHER NOTABLES

There are three prospects fighting for playing time, with almost all of the minutes having to come from Flood’s position….The most established of the three is Irish international Tommy Sullivan (’24 Youth Class - 14 Appearances (3 Starts), 6.74 AR), who has played in 32 Caps for his national team….He played in the lowest number of games since making his debut during the 2025/26 season, a frustrating situation for a talented player….He has publicly stated he wanted to move clubs for better playing time, although his manager has said he will work on making the player happy….The second prospect is Nyren Minton-Collis (’29 Youth Class - 15 Apps (8 Starts), 1 Goal, 1 PoM, 6.82 AR), who continues to show significant improvement in training and during games….His 6.82 AR is a career-high, as was his 15 Games….He has strong passing ability but it is still unclear how good he will be….The third prospect is Abul Ezz’s favorite, 16-year-old rookie Richie Hunter (’31 Youth Class – 10 Apps, 1 Goal, 2 Asts, 86% PC, 7.12 AR) who impressed mightily….He has already made 2 U21 Caps for England, with many suggesting Hunter could be pushed to the front of the rotation as Ezz is keen to give the youngster experience.

WINGERS

AARON WOODWARD (England: Capped at U20) – Age: 18 (’29 Youth Class) – Position: AMR (SC)

When Chelsea triggered Jakub Berkovec’s Minimum Release Clause of £94M, it led to a frantic few days in the build-up to the start of the Premier League season. Abul Ezz already knew who he was going to thrust into the starting lineup if Berkovec left, however, and Woodward was ready. In 36 Appearances, he registered 4 Goals, 11 Assists, 1.73 T/90, 82% Passes Completed, 3.18 D/90, and 6.92 AR. There were some struggles, but Woodward is only 18 and the positives were far more common than the negatives. His speed is fantastic and despite his 1.70m height, he has adequate strength to handle himself on the pitch. Probably better suited a striker, he might find more of a challenge for playing time next season as rookie Ted Baah is looking good.

AHMED RAZAK (England: 12 U21 Caps/11 U21 Goals) – Age: 20 (’27 Youth Class) – Position: AML (AMR)

The ‘Enthusiastic Winger’ continues to battle injuries, a constant theme in his young career thus far. Despite being the starter, he played in only 27 Games, registering 3 Goals, 6 Assists, 1.90 T/90, 83% Passes Completed, 2.92 D/90, and a career-high 6.89 AR. He injured his knee ligaments at the end of the April after having to deal with hamstring and ankle injuries this season, as well. He has shown decent improvement, and although it is unlikely he develops into a top tier winger, the resolute player looks like he belongs in the Premier League.

HOT PROSPECTS & OTHER NOTABLES

Stan Drummond (31 Apps (10 Starts), 2 Gls, 2.50 D/90, 6.71 AR) continues to cover both wings as he was not considered for getting his starting ring winger position back after Berkovec left….A lack of talent at the winger positions will leave Drummond as the only viable option of the bench at least for next season….The only other player that might crack some part of the rotation is 16-year-old incoming rookie right winger Ted Baah (’31 Youth Class), who has already made his debut and has been impressive.

FORWARDS

JOE REARDON (England: Capped at U19) – Age: 28 – Position: SC

The club’s GOAT continues to get better – in 35 Appearances, he registered 15 Goals, 9 Assists, 4 PoMs, 1.15 D/90, and 7.27 AR. Although his goals were down, his overall AR was up as he made the PL Team of the Week 7 times this season. The ‘Soul of the First Generation’ has 209 League Goals, a club record, but also has 86 Assists, meaning that in the next couple of seasons he should join the special 200+Goals/100+Assists club. He has never registered below 7.10 AR in any season, including the six out of eleven total he has spent in the Premier League. An ‘Icon’ of the club, he owns the club record with 5 Sophara United Player of the Year awards.

BEKIR CELIK (Turkey: 26 Caps/12 Goals) – Age: 22 (’25 Youth Class) – Position: SC

The departure of Jakub Berkovec has many questioning whether the club will be able to hang on to Bekir Celik, its highest profile player left. The Turkish star won his 3^rd EPL Young Player of the Year award, the first player to ever do that in the league’s history. He did so on the back of his second comeback season – if that makes any sense – in which he played in 37 Games and registered 23 Goals, 10 Assists (career-high), 4 PoMs, 1.22 D/90, 61% Shot Target, and 7.35 AR. He also took his 3^rd Sophara United Player of the Year award – only Joe Reardon has won the award more than Celik now. He was named in the PL Team of the Week five times and won the PL Young Player of the Month for March and April. He heads to Holland/Belgium 2032 with Turkey to compete at the Euros two years after his first international tournament at the World Cup at Spain 2030. When his manager was asked what he would like to see from the striker next season, he said for him to score 20+ Goals in consecutive seasons for the first time in his career. Challenge issued.

HOT PROSPECTS & OTHER NOTABLES

Andy Holland (31 Apps (10 Starts), 8 Gls, 3 Asts, 6.91 AR) scored his most goals in the past five seasons as he experienced a renaissance of sorts….The 28-year-old striker brought his total to 160 Goals for his career, and his 6,91 AR was the highest he has recorded in the Premier League….Making his debut this season for the club was 19-year-old Ian Poulter (’29 Youth Class - 2 Apps, 1 Goal, 6.95 AR), who spent last season on loan at St. Pat’s Athletic in the Irish Premier League, scoring 16 Goals and registering 7.10 AR in 33 Games….The striker needs to work his shooting ability, but otherwise he looks capable of contributing.

END OF SEASON REVIEW

December 23, 2021

The only player that I know of that was poached from the Sophara Youth Academy - Middlesbrough are the culprits!

December 23, 2021

NxGN 50 2032

WINNER

RAUL CRUZ, (Mexico: Capped at U23), Left Winger – America (MEX), 18-years-old (Previous: 14^th)

Up thirteen spots from last year’s list, the pacy winger wins the award after delivering two solid seasons for his boyhood club….He was America’s 2031 Player of the Year and led them to a Runners-Up position in the 2031/32 opening stage….He has 3 Goals, 3 Assists, and 7.00 AR in 26 Games this season….It is unlikely he will stay in Mexico too long – rumors have already started circulating about where he might end up in Europe….Born in Cuernavaca just south of Mexico City, Cruz has come up through the America youth system and is looking primed to become a Mexico international soon.

2ND PLACE

MARTIN TOMASIN (Argentina:5 U20 Caps), Goalkeeper – River Plate (ARG), 19-years-old (Previous: 29^th)

The starting GK for River Plate – one of the biggest clubs in Argentina – the past two seasons, and is primed for the big-time soon….A lot is expected of him – he is the highest-ranked GK in the NxGn Top 50 list in a while….Has been dubbed the ‘New Sergio Goycochea’ – the Argentine GK who played a key role in the nation reaching the 1990 World Cup Finals….There is no world-class Argentine GK talent currently, so his pathway to the national team could be shorter than usual….No word on a move to Europe yet, but given the potential talent, it would not be surprising to hear of a big club being interested.

3RD PLACE

ANTONIS ADAM (Greece: 4 Caps), Defender – Vitesse, 19-years-old (Previous: Unranked)

After two years in the Greek Pro Leagues with his boyhood club of Levadeiakos, Antonis Adam moved on Free Transfer to Chelsea last summer….He was loaned out to Eredivisie club Vitesse to get some playing time, and he has done very well….Playing in one of Europe’s top leagues, Adam has registered 2 Assists, 2 PoMs, 1.76 T/90, 91% Passes Completed, and 6.93 AR in 25 Appearances….He is already a Greek international and the media is approving of his call-up….A level-headed person, he still has some work to do on his defensive instincts but has the physical build and speed to help make the journey a bit easier.

OTHER NOTABLES

Cracking the top five is 16-year-old Turkish right winger Ayhan Gevgin (5^th), who is currently in the midst of a fantastic rookie season for his boyhood club of Brondby….Born in Bursa, Turkey, he was scouted by the Brondby team and signed on as a youth in 2027, cracking the first team in 2031 with his rookie season being 2031/32….In 22 Games, he has registered 4 Goals, 4 Assists, 2 PoMs, and 7.08 AR, breaking the Danish 3F Superliga’s and club record of youngest player to score in a match at the age of 16 years and 26 days….Richie Hunter (8^th) of Sophara United – their only representative this year – also debuts on the list as a 16-year-old….He has played in 5 Games this season in the world’s most competitive league, doing well and registering 1 Goal, 1 Assist, 86% Passes Completed, and 7.18 AR….He was named the PL Young Player of the Month for November, a few months after scoring the winning goal in the Finals for the English team that lifted the Euro U19 Championship trophy….The Sophara staff are big fans of the young midfielder, as is his manager….Luka De Meyer (15^th) is yet another 16-year-old that has gotten global attention this season, this time for the Belgian Pro League with RWDM….The striker has netted an amazing 15 Goals in 26 Games, registering 1.31 D/90 and 6.94 AR….He has been inconsistent, but when he has been on he has scored incredibly well….He is very fast, he is a good finisher, and he dribbles the ball well, making for a strong combination that is surely going to make him one of the most in-demand strikers in Europe soon….Kevin Ostegaard (18^th) drops six spots despite moving from boyhood club Brondby in Denmark to German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen….He has done well in his first year in Germany – in 28 Games, he has registered 4 Goals, 3 Assists, 87% Passes Completed, 2.42 D/90, and 7.03 AR….The German club bought him for £7M this past summer, and since then the ‘Wonderkid’ left winger has made his debut for Denmark, as well.

December 23, 2021

YOUTH INTAKE 2032

December 22, 2021

December 22, 2021

GOAL 50 2031

WINNER

KYLIAN MBAPPE (France: 165 Caps/99 Goals) – Real Madrid, 32-years-old, Forward (Previous: 3^rd)

Ending Haaland’s streak at four Goal 50 awards in a row, Mbappe takes his 4^th of his career and his first in 5 years….Led Real Madrid to the Champions League Finals, but again fell short – this time against surprise winners Arsenal….Has been in exceptional form so far this season, scoring 8 Goals and registering 8.30 AR in his 11 Games….He was voted the 2031 Best Player in Europe, winning that award for the 3^rd time….His new contract is the richest in the world, paying him £600k per week, but it expires end of the season….That leads to the big question – what is Mbappe going to do? Is he going to commit the rest of his career to Real Madrid? Or will he seek glory – perhaps Champions League glory – elsewhere?

2ND PLACE

ERLING HAALAND (Norway: 103 Caps/65 Goals) – Manchester City, 31-years-old, Forward (Previous: Winner)

After a disappointing Spain 2030 campaign, Haaland shocked the footballing world and retired from international football….The ‘Best Player of the 2020s’ left the international scene with best accomplishment coming at the World Cup 2026, where he and Martin Odegaard led Norway to the semi-finals of the competition….He has scored 40+ Goals for 5 straight seasons in the English Premier League, including 57 Goals during the 2029/30 season….He has scored 341 League Goals for Man City in 319 Appearances, a ridiculous average of over a goal a game….He is still at it, scoring 12 Goals in 8 Appearances so far this season….The Premier League’s best player of all-time, unquestionably, he will also go down as one of the greatest goalscorers the game has ever known with a strong argument for being the absolute best.

3RD PLACE

KAI HAVERTZ (Germany: 142 Caps/52 Goals) – Bayern Munich, 32-years-old, Midfielder (Previous: 4^th)

Despite their early exit from the 2030/31 Champions League competition (Second Round knockout), Havertz delivered what was his best personal season of his career….He equaled his career-high with 20 Goals, and also registered 10 Assists, 3 PoMs, and a career-high 7.71 AR as he won his third straight Bundesliga title….He won the 2031 Bundesliga Player of the Year and also took home the 2031 Bundesliga Top Goalscorer award….Now in his 4^th season with Bayern Munich, he has endeared himself to the fans so quickly that he is already considered an ‘Icon’ of the club….The most expensive transfer of all-time at £216M, when he left Chelsea and joined his current club during the summer of 2028.

OTHER NOTABLES

Moving up from 49^th to 4^th Place is new Paris Saint-Germain signing Gianluca Bonvicini, who moved from Juventus to the French capital this past summer for a deal that could be worth £109M. The 25-year-old ‘Elite Attacking Midfielder’ has propelled himself to the top echelon of the game after delivering a strong season for Juventus last year, getting a big money move, and being one of PSG’s best players this season….Patrick Weissmann (5^th) has been a global star since his teenage years, and now the 21-year-old ‘Elite Midfielder’ has become one of the games undisputed finest players. The Bayern Munich star is possibly the finest passer in football today….Making his debut is English ‘Elite Midfielder’ Adam Bell (24^th), with the 24-year-old Tottenham player showing a fantastic touch….The highest ranked player to ever come out of the SYA, Jakub Berkovec (33^rd) is now with Chelsea after they triggered his £94M recent clause. The ‘Elite Winger’ is only 22 and is already adjusting well to his new club.

December 21, 2021

SUMMER 2031

U20 WORLD CUP – Spain Wins First Ever Title as Mexico Hosts for First Time

EURO U21 CHAMPIONSHIP 2031 – France Wins in Turkey

NOTABLE TRANSFERS

JAKUB BERKOVEC, 22 (Czech Republic: 24 Caps/2 Goals) - £94M from Sophara United to Chelsea: The summer’s worst kept secret was the love affair between Berkovec and Chelsea….The story finally came to an end when Chelsea activated his Minimum Release Clause of £94M one year before his contract expires….The ‘Elite Winger’ was coming off his finest season yet, registering 3 Goals, 13 Assists, 4 PoMs, 3.62 D/90, and 7.10 AR while playing in all 38 Games….His former manager Abul Ezz displayed dismay at losing the Czech star, saying he had hoped until the last minute that Berkovec would stay on and see his career through with Sophara United….Berkovec will get to play in Europe for the first time in his career, a step he said he needed to make.

GIANLUCA BONVICINI, 25 (Italy: 26 Caps/11 Goals) - £90M (£109M) from Juventus to Paris Saint-Germain: Just two years after joining Juventus, Bonvicini has made another big move, this time to the French capital to join the Ligue 1 elite….The deal could go to close to £110M if all the clauses are met, so he did not come cheap….He did well in his two years with Juventus, although he failed to win an Italian Serie A trophy….Was part of the Italian squad that took 3^rd Place at Spain 2030….Played in all 38 Games and scored 11 Goals while also registering 5 Assists, 6 PoMs, 89% Passes Completed, and 7.45 AR with Juventus coming in second to AC Milan in the league….The ‘Elite Attacking Midfielder’ joins one of the most talented teams on the planet in PSG.

MARKO ILIC, 24 (Serbia: 42 Caps/20 Goals) - £87M (£105M) from Tottenham to Manchester City: The Serbian star has been an integral part of the national team’s rise to prominence over the past few years, including their Euro 2028 run to the Finals in Italy….Since then, he has captured the Europa League (2029) and – more importantly – won the English Premier League title in a shocking season from Tottenham as they unseated six time champions Man City….He becomes the most expensive Serbian ever after a good season with the new EPL champions, registering 11 Goals, 10 Assists, 5 PoMs, and 7.17 AR in 35 Appearances….The 2030 Serbian Player of the Year will now get to play with the team he helped dethrone, made easier by his £250k per week contract.

ANGELO, 26 (Brazil: 15 Caps/6 Goals) - £75M from Rennes to Barcelona: Three years after moving to France for £98M, Rennes sold him at a loss after failing to deliver up to expectations despite playing well….He becomes Rennes’ record sale after becoming (at the time) their record transfer in….Considered an ‘Elite Winger’ and one of the stars of the Brazilian national team, Barcelona will be paying him £450k per week with his new five year contract….He has a career average of 7.29 AR and 87 Goals in 345 League Games….Born in Brasilia, he came up through the Santos (BRA) youth system before moving to Roma in 2025.

NIALL MCMAHON, 25 (Northern Ireland: 44 Caps) - £63M from Aston Villa to Bayern Munich: This was not a typical Bayern Munich transfer, as Niall McMahon is not the kind of star that they usually chase after….Aston Villa did not let him go cheaply, either, as the Northern Irish striker heads to Germany to join the greatest team in the world today….The midfielder registered 3 Goals, 3 Assists, and 7.07 AR in 33 Games for his former club – McMahon actually came up through the Aston Villa youth academy before debuting for the club in the mid-2020s….He was voted the Aston Villa 2031 Player of the Year after leading the team Europa Conference Finals, where they lost to Rangers in Manchester.

JORGE GOMEZ, 25 (Paraguay: 42 Caps/3 Caps) - £60M from Manchester United to Tottenham: Bought from Libertad (PAR) for £775K in 2025 by Manchester United, he made the switch to London despite never really getting it together with the former Champions League winners….Last year, he played in 28 Games and registered 6.77 AR, not showing the kind of form that has a £60M price-tag on it….Still, maybe a change of scenery is what he needs as the talent is obviously there….He is a star back in Paraguay as he is easily the highest valued and most well-known player from the country today.

December 20, 2021

MAJOR LEAGUES REVIEW 2030/31

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Winner: ARSENAL

For the first time in a long while – possibly since Porto won it in 2004 – has a team with so little chance given to them to win the tournament actually win….Arsenal might have finished in 5^th in the English Premier League but they surprisingly won their first ever Champions League title after defeating Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid in the Finals in Dortmund….Arsenal was the dominant team at every stage in the knockout rounds, starting with Monaco then running through PSG and AC Milan on the way to the Finals….This looked like it could be Mbappe’s year to win his first ever CL title, but it was not to be – he is now 0-5 in the CL Finals, once with PSG and four times with Real Madrid….The Spanish La Liga champions were the only repeat semi-finalists from the previous year….Bayern Munich saw a Second Round exit at the hands of PSG, the first they have been knocked out before the Semi-Finals in 10 years….Barcelona were back in the semi-finals for the first time in 10 years….Arsenal make it the second straight EPL team to be crowned CL champions.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Winner: TOTTENHAM

In a season of surprises, it was Tottenham who ended Manchester City (2^nd) streak 6 straight titles….A team that has finished as high as 4^th Place just once over the past 10 years, Tottenham shocked the nation and beat out the defending champions by just one Point on the final matchday….Manchester United (3^rd) and Chelsea (4^th) rounded up the top four, but because Arsenal (5^th) were crowned CL champions for the first time, their London rivals are set to miss out on the Champions League to give way for the competition’s title holders a chance to defend their title….Tottenham were led by 24-year-old German winger Valentin Elm (37 Apps, 14 Gls, 9 Asts, 6 PoMs, 7.28 AR), who was the best player on a team that showed quality all season….Man City’s record shattering 6 titles in a row put the EPL under siege for much of the 2020s, and the expectation is that they will be favorites to lift it next year, too….Pep Guardiola won his 5^th PL Manager of the Year award, and his first with Tottenham, whom he transformed completely in his first season in charge….Many will argue that he is second only to Alex Ferguson when it comes to greatest PL managers of all-time.

SPANISH LA LIGA

Winner: REAL MADRID

Six titles in a row for Real Madrid, and six Spanish La Liga Manager of the Year awards for their manager Zinedine Zidane….This was the 7^th time he has won the award, a new La Liga record….For the 5^th time in his career, Kylian Mbappe (38 Apps, 27 Gls, 10 Asts, 13 PoMs, 7.96 AR) captured the Spanish La Liga Player of the Year award after delivering his fourth 20 Gls/10 Asts/10 PoMs season, otherwise known as the triple-double season….Barcelona (2^nd) finished in a familiar position despite having sold their legend and best player in the 2020s Pedri to Bayern Munich….Atletico Madrid (3^rd) and Real Sociedad (4^th) continued their rotation of the last two Champions League spots….The CL title still eludes Mbappe, who led Real Madrid to the Finals this season but lost to surprising Arsenal….This makes it 0-5 in the CL Finals for Mbappe, as the 32-year-old legend is running out of time to clear that final hurdle of his career.

GERMAN BUNDESLIGA

Winner: BAYERN MUNICH

Nineteen straight for Bayern Munich and it was not even close….A career year from Kai Havertz (32 Apps, 20 Gls, 10 Asts, 3 PoMs, 7.71 AR) won him his first German Bundesliga Player of the Year award, earning his title as the world’s most expensive footballer of all-time at £214M….They disappointingly crashed out of the Champions League in the second round despite being considered the most talented team in the world….Leipzig (2^nd) finished as Runners-Up again, ahead of Wolfsburg (3^rd) and Borussia Dortmund (4^th)….There are adults in Germany that have never lived in a time where Bayern Munich was not champion – that’s how dominant the ‘Team of the 2020s’ has been.

ITALIAN SERIE A

Winner: AC MILAN

AC Milan has made it two in a row, finishing ahead of Juventus (2^nd) as they establish themselves as the early team of the 2030s….Led by Portuguese striker and World Cup winner Rafael Leao (31 Apps, 16 Gls, 6 Asts, 6 PoMs, 7.57 AR) and 34-year-old Colombian Luis Diaz (29 Apps, 10 Gls, 7 Asts, 6 PoMs, 7.55 AR), the Milan team continues to be the team to beat….The 2031 Serie A Player of the Year was Juventus midfielder Dejan Kulusevski (34 Apps, 13 Gls, 14 Asts, 13 PoMs, 7.70 AR), who won the award for the 3^rd time….He has an incredible triple-double season, although it is not considered his finest….Roma (3^rd) and Inter Milan (4^th) grabbed the other two Champions League spots.

FRENCH LIGUE 1

Winner: PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

It is now a record 10^th title in a row for Paris Saint-Germain, who had no equal in the league today….Rennes (2^nd) and Monaco (3^rd) continue to be the French Ligue 1’s representatives in the Champions League along with PSG….They beat out Lyon (5^th) and Lille (4^th), who will participate in the Europa League….PSG manager Jean-Luc Vasseur has continued the legacy handed over to him by Mauricio Pochettino, winning his second Manager of the Year award in a row.

December 19, 2021

THE SOPHARA JOURNAL

SEASON REVIEW 2030/2031

TEAM REVIEW

The talent of football coming out of the Sophara United Youth Academy has seemingly plateaued at the Premier League mid-table level – it has been five years now in the EPL and it has been five mid-table finishes. With the 2020s now behind us, the First Generation’s epic run up the leagues – its defining quality – is now being replaced with the 2030s mission of fighting for a spot in Europe. They improved this year as they pushed back to 9^th Place, the highest they have ever finished in the Premier League. This was a good improvement from 12^th Place and has further instilled in the culture of the club that they belong amongst the world’s best. One of manager Abul Ezz’s main focus over the past few seasons has been to improve the defense, and it has worked so far. They finished a team record 9^th Best in the PL this season, behind strong seasons from GK Darren Allen and DC Akim Lawrence. The offense remained amongst the better in the league, finishing as the 6^th highest scoring team, up from 9^th but with the same 66 Goals. They missed out on European qualification and never really challenged for it, but the main goal of not being dragged into a relegation battle was taken care of. The Cups continued to be a disaster for the club, however – it was a Third Round knockout to Huddersfield in the FA Cup and a Fourth Round exit to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.

The Sophara Youth Academy set up its third subsidiary this season in Brunswick, Germany, in collaboration with Eintracht Braunschweig in the Bundesliga 2. This makes it the 4^th branch of the SYA – the first being the HQ in London, then SYA Ghana and SYA France. Abul Ezz stated he continues to push towards setting one up in South America as he wanted to tap into the talent and potential of the continent. The training and youth facilities have both been given ‘State-of-the-Art’ tags and are ranked amongst the best in the world. The SYA Youth Program – ensuring every player gets a full university education – has attracted some of the country’s best young talent and they are beginning to seep through into the first team. This was the first year ever that the majority of the starting eleven were not members of the First Generation. Some of the biggest legends of the 2020s such as Elvis Kozic and Stan Drummond are now bench players who continue to see dwindling playing time in the rotation. Still, there are those that have risen to the stage and have performed wonders, such as Joe Sheppard and Joe Reardon. The Finances exceeded £200M for the first time, and the entire situation and atmosphere surrounding the club is nothing but positive. There is optimism that European glory is not that far off.

GOALKEEPERS

DARREN ALLEN (England: 10 U21 Caps) – Age: 19 ('28 Youth Class) – Position: GK

Darren Allen continued his strong form and his consistency earned him praise from the media this season. After an impressive first season in the Premier League as an 18-year-old, he followed up with an equally (almost) strong season, showing that it was no fluke. In 32 Appearances, he registered 1.78 Con/90, 4 Clean Sheets (down from 9), and 7.03 AR, down from 7.11 AR last season. He was named to the PL Team of the Week twice this season, but there was drama with the man he has replaced in the starting lineup, Elvis Kozic. He signed a new contract that pays him £48k per week and has shown ‘Major’ improvement in all key attributes in his scouting report. One must not forget he still has not turned 20 and carries a 4+/5 PA that is justified thus far.

ELVIS KOZIC (Sweden: 7 U21 Caps) – Age: 27 – Position: GK

A bust up with Darren Allen could leave Kozic out of the picture completely, and if it is decided that he no longer has a place with the club, there will be no shortage of takers. He played in 6 Games this season, and had a Clean Sheet in an incredible 5 of them, registering 7.35 AR. If he wanted to prove a point, he certainly did but such issues are not that simple, especially when considering the development of Allen and its importance. Still, the First Generation legend continues to publicly support the team and his manager, and some suggest he has no problem being the No.2 as long as he stays on the team.

FULLBACKS

PATRICK BOLA (France: 22 U21 Caps) – Age: 22 ('25 Youth Class) – Position: DL

This was his bounce-back year from his injury-played 2029/30 season, and one can safely say his is back to pre-injury form. In 33 Games, he registered 3 Assists, 60.99 PC/90, 92% Passes Completed, 2.39 T/90, 75 Tackles Won, 111 Interceptions, and 6.85 AR – the same as the 2028/29 season. His 92% Tackles Won was the 2^ndbest in the Premier League, and his 53 Blocks was 4^th best. He still has consistency issues and is never going to be great with the ball at his feet, but with his passing being so efficient he is not a liability in that respect. His value is north of £50M now, and he is starting to get mentions when it comes to the French national team setup.

MOHAMMED ADU (England: 10 U21 Caps) – Age: 19 (’27 Youth Class) – Position: DR (DC)

Mohammed Adu continues to improve in his newly adopted position of DR – this is the second season he starts for the team at right-back. In 29 Games, he registered 1.26 T/90, 89% Passes Completed, 104 Intereptions, and 6.83 AR, which was a career-high. His natural position of DC remains where he is most comfortable playing but as it stands, Adu has a firm lock on the DR starting spot. He carries a 4+/5 PA so the consensus on him is that he has the potential to still get a lot better and be a good PL-level DR in the future. The Ghanaian/English defender – like Patrick Bola – needs to deliver more consistent form and he is still prone to having some really bad days, but the improvement is noticeable and the talent is there. He will be expected to continue showing improvement going into next season as the team goal shifts to trying to qualify for Europe.

HOT PROSPECTS & OTHER NOTABLES

There is a general agreement in the Sophara United ranks that Ger Lennon (25 Apps (17 Starts), 1.69 T/90, 93% Passes Completed, 6.73 AR) is more useful to the team coming off the bench and part of the rotation than as its starter at DR….His 6.73 AR was his highest in the five years the team has spent in the Premier League….There still is no real prospects capable of breaking into the first team – Mark Mardsen (’26 Youth Class) did not impress in his limited showing.

CENTRAL DEFENDERS

TOM HORGAN (Ireland: 1 Cap) – Age: 27 – Position: DC

In what was Tom Horgan’s first injury-plagued season of his career, it was the first time in his career he plays less than 30 League Games. In his 26 Appearances, the Irish DC registered 2 Goals, 93% Passes Completed, and 6.87 AR, the lowest of his career. The ‘Model Professional’ has his doubters and they were out in full force this season, claiming that he simply is not talented enough to be a Premier League DC. The numbers speak differently, however, as Sophara United improved from 13^th to 9^th Best defense in the PL, even with Horgan’s off season. And that was what his manager proclaimed – this was an off season and not the first sign of Horgan’s imminent demise. The newly appointed club vice-captain, the First Generation legend has the full trust of his manager.

AKIM LAWRENCE (England: 24 U21 Caps) – Age: 23 (’23 Youth Class) – Position: DC

For the third consecutive season, Akim Lawrence set a career-high in AR, registering 7.14 AR which was slightly up from the 7.13 AR from last season. His career average is now at 7.07 AR and he has to start wondering what else he can do to get himself in the English national team set-up. His season started off eventfully as he was declared the new team Captain by his manager, and then went on to deliver his best season of his career to date, earning three callups to the PL Team of the Week. The contract drama is now a few seasons behind the club and is long-forgotten – in fact, no one really expects Lawrence to move anywhere as it is rumored that he is close to signing a new one that will pay him £160k per week, the richest in team history. If he does, no one can say he does not deserve it as he continues to be the best player on an improving defense and one of the club’s most important players. He is considered one of the gems of the SYA.

HOT PROSPECTS & OTHER NOTABLES

James Burgess (26 Apps (15 Starts), 94% Passes Completed, 7.00 AR) knows his job and does it well, covering the DC and DR positions as well as anyone can hope….The 27-year-old is as reliable as they come, and has now appeared in 356 League Games, one of the most of any player in club history….There continues to be a lack of defensive talent coming out of the SYA in recent years, which means Burgess continues to have zero competition for his place in the rotation.

CENTRAL/ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS

JOE SHEPPARD (England: 10 U21 Caps/1 Goal) – Age: 27 – Position: MC

It is tough to believe but this was only the third time out of Joe Sheppard’s 11 seasons that he registered 10+ Goals and Assists. In 36 Appearances, he recorded 10 Goals, 11 Assists, 3 PoMs, 24 Clear-Cut Chances, 91 Key Passes, and 7.17 AR. He is consistent if he is anything, as he continues to rank towards the top of the league in a number of key passing statistics. One of three players on the history of the club that has won its Player of the Year award twice (2022, ’29), his 392 League Appearances for his career is currently a club record. His 117 Goals for his career is the 3^rd most in the history of Sophara United, behind only Joe Reardon and Andy Holland. His jersey remains the most popular one out of any of the squad’s players, unquestionably one of the fans’ favorites. Whether looking at this past season or his career in general, his important to the team cannot be quantified in numbers, which are great in their own respect. A club legend who continues to play the best football of his career and do well in the Premier League.

RONNIE FLOOD (England: Capped at U19) – Age: 27 – Position: MC

Time and time again, Abul Ezz finds himself calling onto Flood when he feels the team needs to maintain poise and composure on the pitch. The MC delivered his finest season of his career this year – in 32 Appearances, he registered 2 Assists, 84% Passes Completed, 61.06 PC/90 (Best on the team), 0.96 D/90, and a career-best 7.02 AR. The ‘Model Professional’ is most likely never going to be called up to the English national team and risks never being recognized for just how important he is, but he is not the type to care in any case. There is a good amount of talent the MC position coming from the SYA, but Flood remains his manager’s go-to player when the going gets tough.

HOT PROSPECTS & OTHER NOTABLES

Tommy Sullivan (’24 Youth Class - 28 Apps (10 Starts), 2 Gls, 4 Asts, 6.81 AR) went to Spain 2030 with the Irish national team last summer and now has 23 Caps….It was more of the same from Sullivan, who has yet to find a way to push Flood out of the starting lineup….Still, his role in the rotation is important, judging by the amount of playing time he is getting….He has phenomenal passing talent but has not really utilized it in games yet….Nyren Minton-Collis (’29 Youth Class) played in 7 Games in his second season, improving to 6.62 AR from 6.45 AR….Has not shown the kind of progress that has generated excitement, but he is still 18 and how a lot of growth in front of him.

WINGERS

JAKUB BERKOVEC (Czech Republic: 22 Caps/1 Goal) – Age: 22 (’25 Youth Class) – Position: AMR

A participant with the underwhelming Czech Republic team at Spain 2030, Jakub Berkovec continues to play hard-ball with his new contract as he insists he would like to move to a bigger club. In the meantime, he delivered his finest season in his career yet – in 38 Appearances, he registered 3 Goals, 13 Assists (career-high), 4 PoMs, 3.62 D/90 (3^rd in PL), 128 Dribbles Made (2^nd), and 7.10 AR. He has become known as one of the most dynamic wingers in the game today, with a value that has maintained over £100M. He was named in the PL Team of the Week 5 times and was also named the PL Young Player of the Month for December. This was his 4^th straight season of 10 or more Assists, and his 7.10 AR was a career-high. Chelsea have been the main name in his transfer talk, but Abul Ezz has refused to entertain it. He is the only player on the team with a true 5/5 PA after already carrying a team-high 4.5/5 CA. His 35 Clear-Cut Chances and 115 Key Passes were the most on the team as he has slowly become its primary creator as opposed to Joe Sheppard. The hope remains is that he does what Akim Lawrence did years ago – finally put his signature on a new contract that guarantees the star stays with the team for the foreseeable future.

AHMED RAZAK (England: 6 U21 Caps/5 U21 Goals) – Age:19 (’27 Youth Class) – Position: AML (AMR)

It was only a matter of time and it happened this season, with Razak officially replacing Drummond the starting eleven lineup at left winger. He did decent – in 32 Appearances, he registered 3 Goals, 9 Assists, 1.50 T/90, 81% Passes Completed, 3.08 D/90, and a career-high 6.86 AR. Labeled an ‘Enthusiastic Winger’, he has shown considerable improvement in his ball control and dribbling abilities, and although the focus will likely be down with the right flank with Berkovec in the immediate future at least, Razak has shown himself becoming more capable of developing as a decent weapon down the left wing. He has good speed and works well with the team – it is unlikely that he will develop into a world-class player (still possible), but he definitely has the look of a good PL-level winger.

HOT PROSPECTS & OTHER NOTABLES

Another First Generation legend gets relegated to the bench as Stan Drummond (31 Apps (5 Starts), 3 Gls, 3 Asts, 6.84 AR) finished his first season as a non-starter in his 11 year career….He actually did a lot better than last season (6.73 to 6.84 AR) and this is still a player who has 111 Assists in his career, and he won the PL Goal of the Month for November after scoring a scorcher against Southampton.

FORWARDS

JOE REARDON (England: Capped at U19) – Age: 27 – Position: SC

For the second time in his Premier League career (five seasons), Joe Reardon scored at least 20 Goals. In 37 Games, he also registered 7 Assists, 5 PoMs, 1.28 D/90, 52% Shot Target, and a PL-high 7.24 AR, winning a club record 5^th Sophara United Player of the Year award. Without question the team’s best player of the 2020s, he continues to deliver important goal after another as we move into the early 2030s era. An ‘Icon’ of the club, Reardon’s 192 League Goals are also a club record. He was named in the PL Team of the Week twice this season, bringing stability to a position thrown back by Celik’s inconsistent form. An absolute fans’ favorite and a legend amongst them, Reardon is confident and outspoken, endearing himself to the masses. He has been described as the ‘soul’ of the First Generation.

BEKIR CELIK (Turkey: 21 Caps/11 Goals) – Age: 21 (’25 Youth Class) – Position: SC

Despite being one of the most popular football figures in Turkey, Celik played a bit part at Spain 2030 much to the dismay of everyone. The former PL Young Player of the Year was twice named the PL Young Player of the Month this season (February, April), but like the season that followed his first break-out year, he had a down season. His Goals dropped from 26 to 15, his 7.31 AR to 7.13 AR. Granted, it was not as dramatic as his first down season but it was still a noticeable drop in form. There were some bad games in there, and the general complaint about his form this season was the inconsistency. Was he still capable of brilliance? Of course – he proved as much when he netted two goals after the 90^th minute against Brentford to give Sophara United the win. Is there any doubt from the Sophara coaching staff that he is capable of returning to his 20+ Goals ways? Absolutely zero doubt.

HOT PROSPECTS & OTHER NOTABLES

Andy Holland (25 Apps (4 Starts), 2 Gls, 6.74 AR) remained the first choice striker off the bench for the squad despite some interesting young talent coming up through the ranks….Only the club’s early fans will remember how prolific he was pre-Premier League, nostalgic surely about his partnership with Reardon that delivered the League Two and One titles….Aaron Woodward (’29 Youth Class – 12 Apps, 3 Gls, 6.72 AR) has started taking a more prominent role in the rotation, building his skills foundation on his impressive speed….The 17-year-old also has good technique and despite some questionable decisions on the pitch, he has the capability of delivering some great play.

END OF SEASON REVIEW

December 19, 2021

No slip up from Liverpool but a great season nonetheless!

December 19, 2021

NxGN 50 2031

WINNER

JOAN ALIAGA, (Spain: 7 U21 Caps/5 U21 Goals), Midfielder - Espanyol, 19-years-old (Previous: 4^th)

Ranked 4^th in the 2030 NxGn Top 50, Joan Aliaga takes the 2031 NxGn award after delivering another excellent season for his club in the Spanish La Liga….In 28 Games, he has registered 6 Goals, 5 Assists, 3 PoMs, and 7.35 AR while leading Espanyol to 5^th in the La Liga table….He has actually been part of the first team rotation for the past four seasons, but this season and last are the ones that have brought on the attention….The most recent recipient of the European Golden Boy award, Aliaga has the eyes of some of the world’s biggest clubs.

2ND PLACE

GERARDO CASAS (Mexico: 2 Caps), Defender/Midfielder – Pachuca (MEX), 19-years-old (Previous: Unranked)

The 19-year-old Mexican international is as versatile as they come, but his most natural position is DR….He will be making his move to Europe soon it seems, with several clubs lining up transfer bids….This was his first season at Pachuca, moving from Atlas for £6.5M….He played in 34 Games, registering 2 Goals and 6.91 AR….As with so many Central and even South American youngsters in recent years, Casas has made a name for himself in the Mexican league.

3RD PLACE

ANATOLY MALYGIN (Russia: 18 U21 Caps/5 U21 Goals), Attacking Midfielder – Krasnodar (RUS) 19-years-old (Previous: 32^nd)

Already on the list last year, Malygin has only improved his standing in world football since then….He took 3^rd Place in the Russian Young Player of the Year award, playing in 22 Games and registering 6 Goals and 7.04 AR….His club is currently 3^rd in the Russian Premier League in large part to Malygin’s form….He is the highest ranked Russian player on the NxGn list in the last ten years at least.

OTHER NOTABLES

December 18, 2021

YOUTH INTAKE 2031

December 18, 2021

Austin Waters looks really good. I hope he develops well!

December 18, 2021

Liverpool might slip up in 2 of their games - its feasible!

December 18, 2021

MID-SEASON UPDATE 2030/31

WORLD GOLDEN BALL/PLAYER OF THE YEAR

ERLING HAALAND (Norway: 97 Caps/62 Goals) – Manchester City, 29-years-old

Five in a row for Haaland, breaking Lionel Messi’s record of most awards won in a row….Please see report under GOAL 50 AWARDS above.

WORLD GOLDEN GLOVE/GK OF THE YEAR

GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA (Italy: 137 Caps) – Paris-Saint Germain, 31-years-old

Gianluigi Donnarumma wins the awards for the 3^rd time in past four years….He wins them back from Diogo Costa after delivering an exceptional 2029/30 season in which he registered a career-high 7.73 AR and being part of the Italian team that took 3^rd Place at Spain 2030….A Champions League winner with PSG in 2028, the Italian was part of the Italian team that won Euro 2021, his only international title….That being said, the 2020s generally had three names when it came to the GK position: Ederson, Donnarumma, and Courtois, with the PSG GK still in the prime of his career.

WORLD U21 FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR

PATRICK WEISSMANN (Germany: 35 Caps/5 Goals) – Bayern Munich, 21-years-old

Patrick Weissmann is only the second player after former teammate Jamal Musiala to win the World U21 Footballer of the Year award three times in a row….He was named in the World Team of the Year for the second straight season and is probably the world’s biggest star 21 years and under….The midfielder is currently having the best season of his career so far – in 23 Games, he has registered 8 Goals, 10 Assists, 4 PoMs, and 7.81 AR….He came in 3^rd Place in the World Golden Ball/World Player of the Year awards….The German midfielder is considered one of the finest passers of the ball in the world today.

WORLD TEAM OF THE YEAR 2029

AFRICAN NATIONS CUP 2031 – Senegal Wins in Eq. Guinea

December 18, 2021

Extremely well-played! The League Two will be a bit of a jump in talent, but judging on how well you've done the past two seasons there should be zero concern. Awesome job!

December 18, 2021

Looking forward to seeing how you do this season! Following

December 18, 2021

Looking forward to reading more!

December 18, 2021

Can't wait to see the Youth Intake.

December 18, 2021

Hows Ali McFarlane looking?

December 18, 2021

December 18, 2021

GOAL 50 2030

WINNER

ERLING HAALAND (Norway: 103 Caps/65 Goals) – Manchester City, 30-years-old, SC (Previous: Winner)

The ‘Legendary Striker’ and English Premier League’s GOAT, Erling Haaland captured the Goal 50 award for a record 6^th time and 4^th time in a row….Much was expected of him and Norway at Spain 2030, but they got knocked out in the Second Round….Still, Haaland remains the world’s biggest football star having dismantled EPL record after record over the past few years….Man City have also captured 6 titles in a row because of Haaland, who set a new EPL record with an unfathomable 57 Goals last season….Was designated the ‘Player of the 2020s’, beating out Kylian Mbappe for it….Has no equal in the game today, and will almost certainly go down as one of the absolute top legends in the history of football when he calls it a day.

2ND PLACE

JAMAL MUSIALA (Germany: 111 Caps/29 Goals) – Manchester City, 27-years-old, Attacking Midfielder (Previous: 4^th)

For the first time in eight years, someone other than Haaland or Mbappe takes 2^nd Place….The German ‘Elite Attacking Midfielder’ is currently in his third season with Manchester City, moving to England from Bayern Munich in 2028 for £157M….He scored a career-high 27 Goals for his new club last season, his second with them….A champion everywhere he goes, he has lifted the Bundesliga, Premier League, and Champions League titles….An essential member of Bayern Munich’s epic 2020s run (that has extended into the early 2030s)….An incredible player with no weakness in his game, he is primed to compete for the world’s best footballer title in the next few years.

3RD PLACE

KYLIAN MBAPPE (France: 139 Caps/80 Goals) – Real Madrid, 31-years-old, Forward (Previous: 2^nd)

A player that became known as the world’s best footballer in the 2020s, Mbappe’s incredible physical abilities are going to start waning in the upcoming few years and how he adjusts will speak volumes on how incredible of a player he is….The only player to give Haaland a run for his money, there are many who will argue that Mbappe is actually the greater of the two….Described as a ‘Legendary Striker’, he nearly led France to the World Cup title at Spain 2030, scoring an incredible 11 Goals and winning its Best Player award as he carried the French team to the Finals….Incredibly, the Champions League still eludes him, as he continues to battle to bring the title back to one of its spiritual homes in Madrid.

December 17, 2021

SUMMER 2030

EURO U19 CHAMPIONSHIP – Spain Wins Title as Baptiste Flamant Turns Heads

NOTABLE TRANSFERS

PEDRI, 27 (Spain: 110 Caps/23 Goals) - £125M (£149M) from Barcelona to Bayern Munich: The transfer that no one wanted to see happen but everyone knew was coming….Bayern Munich is a fitting replacement to Barcelona, where Pedri has become a legend amongst the several legends….Was Qatar 2022’s Best Player as himself and Ansu Fati led Spain to two World Cup trophies and three Finals over the past decade….The four-time and current Spanish La Liga Player of the Year, Pedri ends his Barcelona career high on personal accolades but low on titles – he led them to only one La Liga title in 2024 and could not lead them to a Champions League title….A legend for the Spanish national team having been one of the leaders that has created an international dynasty, Pedri now has 100 Goals and 114 Assists for his career, with 70 PoMs and 7.57 AR, as well….He joins what continues to be the most talented team in the world in Bayern Munich, a midfield that includes the likes of Patrick Weissmann, Joao Felix, and Kai Havertz.

BOBBI RISTOVSKI, 23 (Macedonia: 62 Caps/14 Goals) - £91M from Southampton to Manchester United: First popping onto the international scene a number of years ago as a teenager, Ristovski has made his big money move this summer….He spent four underwhelming seasons with Southampton after being acquired from Panathinaikos for £7M in 2026….His potential is unquestionable, however, which is the reason Man United paid as much as they did for the young midfielder….His passing ability is special and is what initially got him attention as a teenager….Might be Macedonia’s best player of all-time, but he will finally have to prove he can perform on the big stage with his new club.

ADHEMAR ARNEIRO, 24 (Brazil: 1 U21 Cap) - £77M from Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea: After three years with Borussia Dortmund, the Brazilian DC moves to English Premier League contenders Chelsea….The ‘Elite Centre-Back’ is a uniquely strong player, carrying superior strength and quickness….That gives him a sizable edge in battles with incoming attackers, and the Brazilian media has now begun making noise about giving the powerful defender a shot with the national team….He will be relied on by his new manager to lead what has usually been a strong backline but was a bit leaky last season.

JAMES MADUKA, 21 (England: 10 Caps/5 Goals) - £75M from Aston Villa to Chelsea: The London club’s second big signing of the summer, Maduka comes off a spectacular season in which he scored 29 Goals….Aston Villa acquired him only two years from Norwich for £16M, turning a nice profit on his contract….Came up through the Preson youth academy before moving to Norwich….The current European Golden Boy award winner, he was voted Aston Villa’s Player of the Year….Was part of the England team that reached the semi-finals of Spain 2030.

VICTOR PEREZ, 23 (Spain: 6 Caps) - £60M from Atletico Bilbao to Southampton: The Ristovski money bought Southampton one of Spain’s hottest players under the age of 25….The former Atletico Bilbao winger won the Euro U21 title with his nation and got named in the competition’s Dream Team last summer….Equally proficient playing at left-back as he is at left-wing, the speedy Bilbao-born player can even play at DC if asked.

December 16, 2021

SPAIN 2030 – WORLD CUP

INTRO/GROUP STAGES

Hosted in Spain for the second time ever (the first being 1982 where Italy won its 3^rd title), the World Cup came from North America where Portugal lifted the title for the first time ever four years ago….This year’s edition started off with a bang – in the first match, the hosts destroyed first time participants Vanuatu 11-0, while Switzerland defeated Curacao 7-1 in the second match….Kylian Mbappe made it three hat-tricks by different players in the first two days as France defeated Syria 3-1….In a highly anticipated Matchday One game, Serbia and Brazil duked it out to a 2-2 draw, while England were held 1-1 by a strong Colombian side….Bekir Celik’s Turkey came out 4-1 winners against Ecuador by the Sophara United striker did not play, while Tommy Sullivan’s Ireland lost 1-0 to the USA….Jakub Berkovec’s Czech Republic were held to a 0-0 draw by Morocco.

Matchday Two started with Switzerland winning 3-0 against Japan, with 30-year-old Feyenoord striker Andi Zeqiri scoring his second hat-trick in a row and bringing his total to 6 Goals in just 2 Games….The Swiss joined Saudi Arabia, Spain, and South Korea as the first teams to qualify to the Second Round….Tommy Sullivan and Ireland defeated Iran 3-0, with the Sophara midfielder getting a 6.8 Rating….A number of teams sealed their qualification to the Second Round on Matchday Two, with no real surprises.

The Czech Republic were the first real surprise exit, with Morocco joining Saudi Arabia out of Group C and leaving the pre-tournament favorites to top the group out of the picture….Costa Rica joined Norway out of Group D, with the wave of young Costa Rican talent keeping knocking Nigeria out….Germany sealed their qualification to the Second Round with a big 7-0 win over Uzbekistan….Ghana joined the defending champions to qualify out of Group K, leaving behind Canada….Mexico and Turkey joined the Second Round out of Group O, and it was Colombia that beat out South Africa to qualify alongside England in Group P.

SECOND ROUND

So much was expected out of 2026 semi-finalists Norway and the biggest star in the world of football Erling Haaland, but they were knocked out by Saudi Arabia after the Middle Eastern team won 3-2 in extra-time in the first match of the Second Round…..30-year-old Inter Milan striker Ferran Torres hit a hat-trick for the hosts Spain as they defeated Japan 3-0 to advance…..Switzerland had an unbelievable three players sent off and South Korea still could not put them away after 120 minutes, with the match ending 0-0 before going to penalties. It was almost an impossible fight for the Swiss but they came so close to winning, losing out at the final stage to a lackluster South Korean team…..Costa Rica’s band of youngsters have already captivated the hearts of fans, advancing to the Third Round after defeating Morocco on penalties following the match ending 0-0 after 120 minutes.

Day Two of the Second Round started with France needing penalties to push past Ireland after the match ended 1-1…..Austria hit two goals in extra-time to win 3-1 against 2026 quarter-finalists Jamaica. The Jamaicans themselves had equalized in the dying seconds of the game before Austria took the game in the next 30 minutes…..Holland kept their calmness about them as they quietly moved past Australia 3-1. The Dutch went down a goal before turning up the heat in the last 20 minutes of the game…..The USA advanced past Cameroon 1-0 in a relatively drama-free affair in the last game of the day.

Day Three was one of big results, starting with the defending champions Portugal defeating Denmark on penalties after the match ended 2-2 with the Danes having a player sent off…..Italy destroyed Uzbekistan 9-0 with 30-year-old Inter Milan striker Giacomo Raspadori (31 Apps, 19 Gls) scoring four on his own…..Germany continued the show versus Thailand, defeating the Asian nation 6-1 as 28-year-old Borussia Dortmund striker Karim Adeyemi (33 Apps, 13 Gls) scored a hat-trick….The final match of the day saw Argentina take out Ghana 4-0 in convincing fashion as all the African nations were now knocked out of the tournament.

Day Four started with England defeating Bekir Celik’s Turkey 2-0. The 20-year-old Sophara striker did not have the best first World Cup experience, playing in only 2 Games and registering no Goals and 6.65 AR…..The neutral’s favorite and the popular darkhorse pick Serbia got the job done against Uruguay, taking a tough 2-1 win. The Euro 2028 Finalists have not been to the World Cup in 12 years and were proving they belonged…..Brazil escaped a shocking upset after pulling away to a 2-1 victory over Poland. They had lost to Turkey in 2026 at this stage, so they were grateful to push past it…..Colombia took a strong 2-1 victory over a tough Mexican team in the last match of the Second Round. The last they had made it past the Second Round was at Brazil 2014, where they lost to the hosts in the quarter-finals.

THIRD ROUND

Ansu Fati took his tally to 4 Goals in the tournament so far after scoring a brace as the hosts Spain defeated Saudi Arabia 3-0 in strong fashion. In their four games so far, Spain had yet to concede a single goal and had scored 20 Goals, including 11 against Vanuatu…..The Costa Rican adventure came to an end against a resurgence South Korea as they were defeated 3-1 by the Asian nation. The South Koreans had barely squeaked by a Swiss team down three men in the previous round, so this victory put the confidence back in the team…..Two late goals from 27-year-old Wolfburg striker Emanuel Emegha led Holland to a 3-2 win over the USA. Emegha brought his total to 3 Goals and 8.37 AR, the best player on a strong Dutch team…..Kylian Mbappe brought his total to 6 Goals in 4 Games as France ended Day Two of the Third Round with a confident 2-0 victory over Austria.

Day Three of the Third Round featured perhaps the two most anticipated matchups of the stage…..The defending champions Portugal were underdogs against the Germans, but they proved they had the heart of a champion and took the match on penalties after it ended with a 1-1 draw. The Germans equalized in the 89^th minute, spending most of the match trying to equalize against a resilient Portuguese defense…..The other highly dramatic match that saw two reds cards, Italy defeated Argentina 1-0 after a 4^th minute penalty was awarded. Both teams had a player sent off in the first half…..Day Four delivered the shock of the round as Colombia destroyed Brazil 3-0 in perhaps their biggest victory this century. The Brazilians were left shocked by the Colombian resolve and their relentless counter-attacks…..England ended Serbia’s run in the Third Round’s final match, taking a 2-1 victory. This lined up the English against the defending champions in the quarter-finals.

QUARTER-FINALS

SPAIN vs. HOLLAND: This was the stage that Holland saw their exit for years ago at the hands of England, while World Cup 2026 beaten Finalists Spain were trying to make a repeat trip to the top of the totem pole, this time in front of their home fans. It would be the same result for the Dutch as Spain continued being the stingiest defense at the tournament, defeating Holland 1-0 in another strong showing. In all of Spain’s five games in front of their home fans, they had yet to concede a single goal. They advance to the semi-finals where they were to face the winner of Portugal vs. England. RESULT: Spain 1 - 0 Holland

SOUTH KOREA vs. FRANCE: Having last won the title at Russia 2018, Mbappe and the French had already advanced past their 2026 stage, when they were beaten by Jamaica in a shocking result in the Third Round. The South Koreans had gotten here once before – at South Korea/Japan 2002 when they reached the semi-finals. France had their own plans already made, however, and they were not going to let anyone stop it. They came away from this match 6-2 winners, with Mbappe scoring another hat-trick to bring his total to a tournament-leading 9 Goals. RESULT: France 6 – 2 South Korea

ITALY vs. COLOMBIA: An Italian team that had not gotten past the quarter-final stage of the World Cup in 24 years – when they last lifted the trophy at Germany 2006 – went up against a powerful Colombian squad that had ended Brazil’s run in the previous round in dominant fashion. Giacomo Raspadori continued to stir up memories of Ciro Immobile at Qatar 2022, scoring a brace as Italy took a dominant 4-1 victory. This brought his total to 8 Goals going into the semi-finals, a number bettered only by Kylian Mbappe. RESULT: Italy 4 – 1 Colombia

PORTUGAL vs. ENGLAND: The defending champions were up against 2026 semi-finalists and one of the remaining favorites to lift the title in England. Both teams defeated tough teams in the previous round – England beating Serbia and Portugal moving past Germany. The defending champions ran into the English wall, however, and the World Cup was going to have a new winner. England defeated Portugal 2-0 with a goal in each half, setting up a mouth-watering tie with Spain in the semi-finals – a repeat of 2026 in every way. RESULT: England 2 – 0 Portugal

SEMI-FINALS

ENGLAND vs. SPAIN: This was the third straight World Cup where these two giants of football faced off, with Spain winning both times – at Qatar 2022 in the quarter-finals, and at USA/Canada/Mexico 2026 at this stage. The hosts would make it three in a row, as they pulled off another 1-0 win and making it six straight games without conceding a goal. Their best player so far this tournament, Man City’s 30-year-old winger Pedro Porro, was the goal scorer as he brought his total to 2 Goals, 2 PoMs, and a team-leading 8.00 AR. The English did not have a stand out performer this time around, and were disappointed this was not the time they would get over the stranglehold the Spanish team has had on them the past decade or so. As for the hosts, they were advancing to their 3^rd straight Finals, a feat only the Brazilian team of the 1990s and 2000s managed to accomplish, making three straight from 1994 to 2002. RESULT: Spain 1 – 0 England

FRANCE vs. ITALY: Neither team had been to the Semi-Finals in the past 12 years, when France lifted the trophy on the back of a young Mbappe at Russia 2018. The defending two-time European Championship winners faced off against Italy at the Euro 2024 Finals in Germany, winning the match 1-0. There was no mercy from the French as they took the match in empathic fashion, winning 4-0 as Mbappe scored a brace and brought his total to 11 Goals, 2 off the record set by fellow countryman Just Fontaine in 1958. France would face the hosts Spain in a monstrous Finals showdown, with Kylian Mbappe looking to throw the Haaland vs. Mbappe debate back in his favor by taking his second ever World Cup – an ever so rare accomplishment. RESULT: France 4 – 0 Italy

FINALS

FRANCE vs. SPAIN: Spain won its second World Cup trophy at Qatar 2022 but lost to Portugal at this stage on penalties in 2026. This was the third time a row the Spanish team had advanced to the Finals, a feat accomplished only by Brazil from 1994 to 2002. As for France, they were two-time European Championship defending champions and were led by the tournament’s – and possibly the world’s – best player in Kylian Mbappe, who was 2 Goals away from equaling Just Fontaine’s record of 13 Goals set in 1958. Spain had not conceded a single goal the entire tournament, and France was just coming off a strong 4-0 win against the Italians. The Spanish wall would remain intact, however, as the match finished 0-0 after 120 minutes. The hosts had made it the entire tournament without conceding a single goal, and to top it off, they won the match on penalties. Lifting their second World Cup trophy in three consecutive tries, Spain held Mbappe to his 11 Goals and frustrated the star, who remained the tournament’s best player despite losing in the Finals. Led by stars such as Ansu Fati and Pedri, this Spanish dynasty has now gone to three World Cup Finals and lifted the trophy twice. RESULT: Spain 0 (p) – 0 France

AWARDS

BEST PLAYER – Kylian Mbappe (France)

There could only be Mbappe, as he had no equal at Spain 2030….He scored an incredible 11 Goals along with 8.37 AR in his 7 Games, second only to Just Fontaine’s 13 Goals in 1958….Unfortunately, could not get France past Spain in the Finals, as the 2018 winner could not join a rare club of players that have lifted the trophy twice….The 31-year-old showed just how incredible he was as a footballer, carrying the French squad – who are current two-time defending European champions – through the knockout stages that included a 4-0 victory over Italy to the Finals.

BEST YOUNG PLAYER – Patrick Weissmann (Germany)

Generally recognized as the best player in world under the age of 21, Weissmann registered 2 Goals and 7.78 AR in his 4 Games….His vision and flair were on full display for the world to see as he participated in the first of what is sure to be a few World Cup tournaments….Germany were knocked out in the Third Round by Portugal, but on a team full of stars, it was Weissmann who was the team’s best player….The 20-year-old Bayern Munich star is the current Bundesliga Player of the Year.

BEST GOALKEEPER – Alvaro Fernandez (Spain)

There is only one choice here – the Spanish GK kept 7 Clean Sheets in all 7 of his Games, registering a league-high 7.50 AR for the GK position….The Lorient player has not been a starter for the national team for too long, but his performances at Spain 2030 has ushered him of his place in his country’s history….Formerly with Atalanta before being bought by Lorient two years ago, he was not part of the squad that had made the previous two Finals.

GOLDEN BOOT – Kylian Mbappe (France): 11 Goals

See Kylian Mbappe under Best Player.

December 16, 2021

MAJOR LEAGUES REVIEW 2029/30

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Winner: MANCHESTER UNITED

Winning their first title in 22 years, Manchester United defeated a fitting enemy to overcome in Bayern Munich, the best team in the world in the 2020s….It was seemingly destiny as Man United’s home ground of Old Trafford played host to the Champions League Finals this year, a game the English squad won 3-2 in extra-time and in dramatic fashion….Last year, Man United were knocked by English Premier League champions Manchester City in the semi-finals, but Man City were knocked out by Villarreal in the Second Round….Bayern Munich took out Real Madrid in the semi-finals, ending Kylian Mbappe’s (11 Apps, 13 Gls) run….Mbappe, who has still yet to win a CL trophy, was the competition’s best player this season.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Winner: MANCHESTER CITY

The record keeps growing and it now stands at 6 in a row for Manchester City, who are riding the unprecedented and completely epic career of Erling Haaland (34 Apps, 57 Gls, 7 Asts. 15 PoMs, 8.31 AR)….The Norwegian megastar striker broke his own PL record by hitting 57 Goals (!!!) and registering 8.31 AR this season….The unquestionable GOAT of the EPL, the 29-year-old now has 399 League Goals in only 437 Games….Arsenal (2^nd) retook the Runners-Up spot after giving it up to newly crowned Champions League winners Manchester United (3^rd) for a year….They were led by Victor Osimhen (34 Apps, 38 Gls, 10 Asts, 9 PoMs, 7.73 AR), who is the only player other than Haaland to score over 35 Goals in Premier League history….Liverpool (4^th) will be back in the Champions League for the first time in five years after grabbing the last spot.

SPANISH LA LIGA

Winner: REAL MADRID

It is now five in a row for Kylian Mbappe (38 Apps, 23 Gls, 10 PoMs, 7.55 AR) and Real Madrid….Voted the second strongest league in the world after the English Premier League, the La Liga has been dominated by Real Madrid throughout the 2020s….Also for the fifth time in a row, Barcelona (2^nd) finishing behind their rivals in 2^nd Place….Real Sociedad (3^rd) and Atletico Madrid (4^th) have been interchanging those two positions throughout the past decade, and they both grabbed the other two Champions League spots.

GERMAN BUNDESLIGA

Winner: BAYERN MUNICH

Eighteen and counting for the ‘Team of the 2020s’ as Bayern Munich continue to dominate the German Bundesliga….They have a new star in the making as Patrick Weissmann (34 Apps, 10 Gls, 13 Asts, 6 PoMs, 7.63 AR) won the 2030 German Bundesliga Player of the Year, its youngest ever recipient at just 20….Leipzig (2^nd) finished as Runners-Up for the third straight season and the 8^th time in the past 10 years….Wolfsburg (3^rd) and Borussia Monchengladbach (4^th) beat out disappointing Borussia Dortmund (5^th) for the last two Champions League spots….Bayern Munich were also attempting to win their second CL title in a row but fell to Man United in the Finals at Old Trafford.

ITALIAN SERIE A

Winner: JUVENTUS

By the slimmest of margins, AC Milan captured their first title in nine years, beating their rivals Inter Milan (2^nd) thanks to a tie-breaker….The former champions Juventus (3^rd) needs to find a solution to replacing its reliance on its legend Frederico Chiesa if it is to hope to remain competing for title they made their own in the 2020s….Lazio (4^th) took the last Champions League spot, ahead of Atalanta (5^th) and Roma (6^th)….The Italian teams have been competitive in Europe the past few years – AC Milan and Inter Milan both won the Europa League in 2025 and 2026, respectively, while Juventus reached the Champions League Finals in 2026 and were semi-finalists this year.

FRENCH LIGUE 1

Winner: PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

One of the legends of the 2020s, Ansu Fati (33 Apps, 15 Gls, 9 Asts, 7 PoMs, 7.80 AR) led Paris Saint-Germain to their 9^th consecutive title, of which he has been a part of six….Monaco (2^nd) and tycoon-owned Rennes (3^rd) grabbed the other two Champions League spots….The story of the season remains Fatu and PSG, however – the 27-year-old Spanish striker became a PSG legend when he led them to their first ever Champions League title in 2028….They won the Europa League this season, defeating Southampton 4-2 in the Finals in Frankfurt.

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