Not only are Real (understandably) upset with Mbappe’s flakiness, but I can’t even see in what way he’d actually fit into their current setup. Real will likely want to have both Rodrygo and Vinicius in their starting XI next season, and both those guys have the flanks pretty much locked down, meaning only the ST position is up for grabs. While Mbappe can play as an outright striker, he is much more suited for the LW position, but seeing as Vini already has etched his name on that position, I very much doubt he’ll be keen on surrendering it to Mbappe. Vini also just happens to be one of the world’s best attackers, so there’s that. What’s the point in paying a small country’s GDP for a player if he can’t even play in his preferred position?

I didn’t find him to be the least bit cringe in those interviews. They were a nice change from the formulaic media trained sludge footballers normally provide us with.

Sure, I think he could do quite well. It is Ronaldo we’re talking about, after all. The man with the most will and the most conviction in himself. However, his form as of late isn’t really as impressive as you make it out to be. While it is true that he has been industrious in front of goal, if you take a look at the teams he’s scored against this year, I’d be seriously impressed if you can name even three players from ONE of them. It’s easy for a player of Ronaldo’s ability to shine in a league that shitty. Also consider that Al-Nassr have a seriously stacked team with players that are constantly looking to serve Ronaldo chances. I’ve seen some of the team’s highlights this season just to gauge the level the Saudi league’s at, and I can tell you that it’s shockingly bad. It’s like sunday league stuff. As for his international goals, just take a quick gander at Portugal’s Euros qualifiying group and you’ll see the pedigree of teams he’s scored against. It’s almost a farce just how easy Portugal’s group was.

I’m not holding anything against Ronaldo. In fact, I think it is remarkable that he’s still so active and still making a mark on football at his age. I just don’t think we should get carried away with our assessment of the fella. He’s turning 39 soon, and we could clearly see already a year ago with United that he looked off it and not up to par in a highly competitive league. His Saudi move was largely made to stroke his gargantuan ego, and when he gets the chance to shine against nobodies in the desert, his ego gets plenty a’ strokin’.

I don’t find this to be true at all. Lots of footballers have Messi as their idol.

He’s perfect for Villa. An upper mid-table side with good financial strength, high ambitions in relation to their pedigree, and not too much pressure is exactly what Emery thrives with.

Girona is an extremely underappreciated and underhyped team. They’re leading La Liga and we’re heading into December soon. I don’t see nearly enough people and media outlets talking about them.

They’ve been riding their luck this entire season and have gotten away with stinker after stinker thanks to moments of individual brilliance. Rest assured, they are just as shit as everyone makes them out to be.