The written word from the Ranks FC gang - Sam for the analysis, Dean for the latest transfer news, and Jack for the narratives you didn't even know you needed; plus some friends of the Rank Squad will be popping up here as well!
Article
Data viz courtesy of the Twenty3 Toolbox; start your free trial here. 3. WHAT THE HELL ARE LYON ARE UP TO? Watching Lyon is quite the experience at the moment. In attack they’re a lot of fun—more so than ever, given Rayan Cherki has been given a consistent role in…
Article
By John Gilding Data viz courtesy of the Twenty3 Toolbox; start your free trial here. For some clubs, it feels as though the January transfer window takes them by surprise, and they leave themselves a lot to do at the last minute. Here we’ve identified three clubs with clear holes…
Article
By Stephen Bole Winning a domestic league is one of the most challenging things to do in football, teams must be consistent for over 30 games and weather all the storms that come from a full season. Most of the praise for winning sides will be showered upon their…
Article
In October, Ranks FC travelled to Bilbao, Spain and spent four days filming a mini-documentary on Athletic Club, in collaboration with New Balance Football. It was tough but rewarding work; we’re thrilled with the reaction to our video and hope it goes some way to helping people understand how…
Article
Athletic Club is special. It’s different. At a time where Premier League clubs can drop €100m on new talent and Spain’s top order can raid Brazil for its best young talent at €40m a go, Athletic stand out as completely unique. Nowhere else in the world will you find a…
Article
Guest article written by John Gilding The process of Manchester City bringing talents through and bedding them in is proven and established. Well, it’s been proven once. The most famous, and perhaps the only truly successful homegrown graduate of the Pep Guardiola era is Phil Foden.
Article
Data viz courtesy of the Twenty3 Toolbox; start your free trial here. 3. CONCEDING OCHO-A Forgive the pun, but goalkeepers whose name is essentially “eight” going on to ship eight goals is extremely rare. We take those chances when they arise! It’s easy to scoff at an 8-2 scoreline—the Salernitana…
Article
Aston Villa have made Alex Moreno their first signing of this transfer window. But why, when they already have Lucas Digne? Jack explains.
Article
Data viz courtesy of the Twenty3 Toolbox; start your free trial here. 3. ROMA DID WHAT NOW? With 86 minutes on the clock, AC Milan are 2-0 up and cruising against Roma. The Giallorossi have offered absolutely nothing and Tommaso Pobega’s just scored the all-important second goal. Enter: Set Piece FC.