Footballarguments
@footballarguments.bsky.social
The Bluesky home of https://footballarguments.wordpress.com/
I have started to re-watch the available matches from the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. Footballia lists a total of nine of them, which is a quantum leap compared to the last one. Not all of them feature 90 minutes of footage, though.
November 15, 2025 at 12:24 PM
I have started to re-watch the available matches from the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. Footballia lists a total of nine of them, which is a quantum leap compared to the last one. Not all of them feature 90 minutes of footage, though.
The great @robfielder.bsky.social and I have come up with a new blogpost:
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/10/26/t...
A few momentous events in football history happened this year: Real & Di Stefano reign surpreme, the rise of Pelé & the Brazilians, and, sadly, the Munich Air Disaster
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/10/26/t...
A few momentous events in football history happened this year: Real & Di Stefano reign surpreme, the rise of Pelé & the Brazilians, and, sadly, the Munich Air Disaster
Team of the Season 1957-1958
Manager: Matt Busby Bench: Dominguez, Sarti, Herkenrath; Cervato, Lesmes, Marche; Wright, Juskowiak, C. Maldini; Corradi, Magnini; Atienza; Clamp, Szymaniak, Flowers; Masopust, Hanappi; Rial, Sivor…
footballarguments.wordpress.com
October 26, 2025 at 9:40 PM
The great @robfielder.bsky.social and I have come up with a new blogpost:
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/10/26/t...
A few momentous events in football history happened this year: Real & Di Stefano reign surpreme, the rise of Pelé & the Brazilians, and, sadly, the Munich Air Disaster
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/10/26/t...
A few momentous events in football history happened this year: Real & Di Stefano reign surpreme, the rise of Pelé & the Brazilians, and, sadly, the Munich Air Disaster
Reposted by Footballarguments
My yearly Ballon d'Or take: would have given it to Lamine Yamal, but Ousmane Dembele is not a crazy choice by any means.
September 23, 2025 at 9:34 AM
My yearly Ballon d'Or take: would have given it to Lamine Yamal, but Ousmane Dembele is not a crazy choice by any means.
I guess Harry Kane carries the Alfredo Di Stefano 'box-to-box forward' act as far as anyone can in modern football. Hugely impressive.
September 20, 2025 at 3:28 PM
I guess Harry Kane carries the Alfredo Di Stefano 'box-to-box forward' act as far as anyone can in modern football. Hugely impressive.
Reposted by Footballarguments
No greater pleasure than any time I'm asked to contribute to this.
The entire project is a service to the recording of football (and football fans) with its coverage of eras that have too little and an era now that has too much of low quality.
The entire project is a service to the recording of football (and football fans) with its coverage of eras that have too little and an era now that has too much of low quality.
It took a bit longer than usual, but then again the season ended in an unusual way. But here it is!
New blogpost: Team of the Season 2024-2025
With player portraits by the amazing @lgambrose.bsky.social and @robfielder.bsky.social !
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/08/01/t...
New blogpost: Team of the Season 2024-2025
With player portraits by the amazing @lgambrose.bsky.social and @robfielder.bsky.social !
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/08/01/t...
August 2, 2025 at 7:26 AM
No greater pleasure than any time I'm asked to contribute to this.
The entire project is a service to the recording of football (and football fans) with its coverage of eras that have too little and an era now that has too much of low quality.
The entire project is a service to the recording of football (and football fans) with its coverage of eras that have too little and an era now that has too much of low quality.
It took a bit longer than usual, but then again the season ended in an unusual way. But here it is!
New blogpost: Team of the Season 2024-2025
With player portraits by the amazing @lgambrose.bsky.social and @robfielder.bsky.social !
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/08/01/t...
New blogpost: Team of the Season 2024-2025
With player portraits by the amazing @lgambrose.bsky.social and @robfielder.bsky.social !
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/08/01/t...
August 1, 2025 at 9:13 PM
It took a bit longer than usual, but then again the season ended in an unusual way. But here it is!
New blogpost: Team of the Season 2024-2025
With player portraits by the amazing @lgambrose.bsky.social and @robfielder.bsky.social !
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/08/01/t...
New blogpost: Team of the Season 2024-2025
With player portraits by the amazing @lgambrose.bsky.social and @robfielder.bsky.social !
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/08/01/t...
Yesterday's Club World Cup final concluded (in my book at least) another season in football's history.
You know what this means... the new Team of the Season blogpost is still under construction but should arrive in the relatively near future (historically speaking).
You know what this means... the new Team of the Season blogpost is still under construction but should arrive in the relatively near future (historically speaking).
July 14, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Yesterday's Club World Cup final concluded (in my book at least) another season in football's history.
You know what this means... the new Team of the Season blogpost is still under construction but should arrive in the relatively near future (historically speaking).
You know what this means... the new Team of the Season blogpost is still under construction but should arrive in the relatively near future (historically speaking).
Time for a little mini-project: re-watching all the matches from the 1957-58 Season (excluding the World Cup).
It really is a small project since there aren't that many.
It really is a small project since there aren't that many.
June 6, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Time for a little mini-project: re-watching all the matches from the 1957-58 Season (excluding the World Cup).
It really is a small project since there aren't that many.
It really is a small project since there aren't that many.
I usually publish my Team of the Season blogpost shortly after the Champions League final. This season, however, I'm going to wait for the Club World Cup. I may not like it, but it clearly feels like part of this season and not the next one, right?
May 31, 2025 at 7:37 AM
I usually publish my Team of the Season blogpost shortly after the Champions League final. This season, however, I'm going to wait for the Club World Cup. I may not like it, but it clearly feels like part of this season and not the next one, right?
Reposted by Footballarguments
NEW with @simonkuper.bsky.social:
The prevailing narrative around increased injuries and player workload in elite football is wrong.
Players don’t play any more football than in the past. What has changed is a sharp rise in intensity of play.
Not more minutes, but each minute exerts more load.
The prevailing narrative around increased injuries and player workload in elite football is wrong.
Players don’t play any more football than in the past. What has changed is a sharp rise in intensity of play.
Not more minutes, but each minute exerts more load.
May 15, 2025 at 12:26 PM
NEW with @simonkuper.bsky.social:
The prevailing narrative around increased injuries and player workload in elite football is wrong.
Players don’t play any more football than in the past. What has changed is a sharp rise in intensity of play.
Not more minutes, but each minute exerts more load.
The prevailing narrative around increased injuries and player workload in elite football is wrong.
Players don’t play any more football than in the past. What has changed is a sharp rise in intensity of play.
Not more minutes, but each minute exerts more load.
I am by and large an eye-test guy, but I occasionally like to look at the great players of the past through the lense of (admittedly pretty basic ) statistics.
One question I asked myself was: How did the great goalscorers of football history perform when playing against top-class opposition?
One question I asked myself was: How did the great goalscorers of football history perform when playing against top-class opposition?
May 12, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I am by and large an eye-test guy, but I occasionally like to look at the great players of the past through the lense of (admittedly pretty basic ) statistics.
One question I asked myself was: How did the great goalscorers of football history perform when playing against top-class opposition?
One question I asked myself was: How did the great goalscorers of football history perform when playing against top-class opposition?
I'm not sure there have been many teams for whom being 0-2 down meant less than for this Barca.
But then again, they have plenty of experience with being 0-2 down.
Still, crazy entertaining stuff.
But then again, they have plenty of experience with being 0-2 down.
Still, crazy entertaining stuff.
May 11, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I'm not sure there have been many teams for whom being 0-2 down meant less than for this Barca.
But then again, they have plenty of experience with being 0-2 down.
Still, crazy entertaining stuff.
But then again, they have plenty of experience with being 0-2 down.
Still, crazy entertaining stuff.
Final plug for the new blogpost!
White smoke at footballarguments:
New blogpost: Team of the Season 2002-03
Not as infallible, but (hopefully) more backwards-looking
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/05/08/t...
New blogpost: Team of the Season 2002-03
Not as infallible, but (hopefully) more backwards-looking
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/05/08/t...
Team of the Season 2002-2003
Manager: José Mourinho Bench: Casillas, Dida, Toldo; R. Carlos, Kaladze, Zambrotta; Ferdinand, Carvalho, Ferrara, Chivu, Stam, Desailly; J. Zanetti, Salgado, Cafu; Makelele, Xavi, Mauro Silva; Viei…
footballarguments.wordpress.com
May 9, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Final plug for the new blogpost!
White smoke at footballarguments:
New blogpost: Team of the Season 2002-03
Not as infallible, but (hopefully) more backwards-looking
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/05/08/t...
New blogpost: Team of the Season 2002-03
Not as infallible, but (hopefully) more backwards-looking
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/05/08/t...
Team of the Season 2002-2003
Manager: José Mourinho Bench: Casillas, Dida, Toldo; R. Carlos, Kaladze, Zambrotta; Ferdinand, Carvalho, Ferrara, Chivu, Stam, Desailly; J. Zanetti, Salgado, Cafu; Makelele, Xavi, Mauro Silva; Viei…
footballarguments.wordpress.com
May 8, 2025 at 4:28 PM
White smoke at footballarguments:
New blogpost: Team of the Season 2002-03
Not as infallible, but (hopefully) more backwards-looking
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/05/08/t...
New blogpost: Team of the Season 2002-03
Not as infallible, but (hopefully) more backwards-looking
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/05/08/t...
Flick's Barcelona are by far the most entertaining team around and an amazing one in many senses. I rooted for them to reach the final but in a way it feels kind of right that they came close but did not get there.
They are throwing dice all the time. Loaded dice maybe, but there is too much chaos.
They are throwing dice all the time. Loaded dice maybe, but there is too much chaos.
May 6, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Flick's Barcelona are by far the most entertaining team around and an amazing one in many senses. I rooted for them to reach the final but in a way it feels kind of right that they came close but did not get there.
They are throwing dice all the time. Loaded dice maybe, but there is too much chaos.
They are throwing dice all the time. Loaded dice maybe, but there is too much chaos.
In his match report @sidlowe.bsky.social writes that Yamal's performance suggested "not that he might become the best player around, but that he already might be"
This is something I come back to, too: even the best 17 year-olds merely hint at future greatness, they are not great already. Yamal is.
This is something I come back to, too: even the best 17 year-olds merely hint at future greatness, they are not great already. Yamal is.
April 30, 2025 at 9:45 PM
In his match report @sidlowe.bsky.social writes that Yamal's performance suggested "not that he might become the best player around, but that he already might be"
This is something I come back to, too: even the best 17 year-olds merely hint at future greatness, they are not great already. Yamal is.
This is something I come back to, too: even the best 17 year-olds merely hint at future greatness, they are not great already. Yamal is.
You can't win a Champions League by playing in a way that - on average - leads to a 4-3 win, can you?
April 30, 2025 at 9:02 PM
You can't win a Champions League by playing in a way that - on average - leads to a 4-3 win, can you?
Going into psychological meltdown mode after conceding the first goal when the opponent has to score 4 is very on-brand Barca, it has to be said.
The one player who stood out for me was Pedri, who radiated calm and class when coming on.
The one player who stood out for me was Pedri, who radiated calm and class when coming on.
April 15, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Going into psychological meltdown mode after conceding the first goal when the opponent has to score 4 is very on-brand Barca, it has to be said.
The one player who stood out for me was Pedri, who radiated calm and class when coming on.
The one player who stood out for me was Pedri, who radiated calm and class when coming on.
Watching the '03 CL semi-final between Inter - Milan: that fake quote about Maldini never tackling is as wrong as can be.
The likes of Maldini and Nesta may tackle with purpose and precision, but boy, do they tackle a lot! And not just these Lahm-style bodyless tackles. They inflict real pain.
The likes of Maldini and Nesta may tackle with purpose and precision, but boy, do they tackle a lot! And not just these Lahm-style bodyless tackles. They inflict real pain.
March 31, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Watching the '03 CL semi-final between Inter - Milan: that fake quote about Maldini never tackling is as wrong as can be.
The likes of Maldini and Nesta may tackle with purpose and precision, but boy, do they tackle a lot! And not just these Lahm-style bodyless tackles. They inflict real pain.
The likes of Maldini and Nesta may tackle with purpose and precision, but boy, do they tackle a lot! And not just these Lahm-style bodyless tackles. They inflict real pain.
Reposted by Footballarguments
As always, really enjoyed being able to contribute to this.
New blogpost, once again with the wonderful @robfielder.bsky.social:
Team of the Season 1956-57
Di Stefano produces a GOAT season, Argentinians en masse, the last full season of the Busby Babes - a memorable year for reasons both good and bad!
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/03/23/t...
Team of the Season 1956-57
Di Stefano produces a GOAT season, Argentinians en masse, the last full season of the Busby Babes - a memorable year for reasons both good and bad!
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/03/23/t...
Team of the Season 1956-1957
Manager: Matt Busby Bench: Carrizo, Dominguez, Roberto Lovati; Cervato, N. Santos, Federico Vairo; B. Wright, Santamaria, Happel; Marquitos, Giuseppe Farina, Giuseppe Corradi; Edwards, Ocwirk, Szym…
footballarguments.wordpress.com
March 24, 2025 at 4:36 PM
As always, really enjoyed being able to contribute to this.
New blogpost, once again with the wonderful @robfielder.bsky.social:
Team of the Season 1956-57
Di Stefano produces a GOAT season, Argentinians en masse, the last full season of the Busby Babes - a memorable year for reasons both good and bad!
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/03/23/t...
Team of the Season 1956-57
Di Stefano produces a GOAT season, Argentinians en masse, the last full season of the Busby Babes - a memorable year for reasons both good and bad!
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/03/23/t...
Team of the Season 1956-1957
Manager: Matt Busby Bench: Carrizo, Dominguez, Roberto Lovati; Cervato, N. Santos, Federico Vairo; B. Wright, Santamaria, Happel; Marquitos, Giuseppe Farina, Giuseppe Corradi; Edwards, Ocwirk, Szym…
footballarguments.wordpress.com
March 23, 2025 at 6:57 PM
New blogpost, once again with the wonderful @robfielder.bsky.social:
Team of the Season 1956-57
Di Stefano produces a GOAT season, Argentinians en masse, the last full season of the Busby Babes - a memorable year for reasons both good and bad!
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/03/23/t...
Team of the Season 1956-57
Di Stefano produces a GOAT season, Argentinians en masse, the last full season of the Busby Babes - a memorable year for reasons both good and bad!
footballarguments.wordpress.com/2025/03/23/t...
Reposted by Footballarguments
1. Barcelona (2008-11)
Manager: Pep Guardiola
La Liga: 2009 🏆, 2010 🏆, 2011 🏆
CL: 2009 🏆, 2011 🏆
The game’s best ever player in the game’s best side. The influence of Guardiola created a super team with Messi the man who set them apart from their rivals. A joy to watch.
Manager: Pep Guardiola
La Liga: 2009 🏆, 2010 🏆, 2011 🏆
CL: 2009 🏆, 2011 🏆
The game’s best ever player in the game’s best side. The influence of Guardiola created a super team with Messi the man who set them apart from their rivals. A joy to watch.
February 18, 2025 at 7:42 PM
1. Barcelona (2008-11)
Manager: Pep Guardiola
La Liga: 2009 🏆, 2010 🏆, 2011 🏆
CL: 2009 🏆, 2011 🏆
The game’s best ever player in the game’s best side. The influence of Guardiola created a super team with Messi the man who set them apart from their rivals. A joy to watch.
Manager: Pep Guardiola
La Liga: 2009 🏆, 2010 🏆, 2011 🏆
CL: 2009 🏆, 2011 🏆
The game’s best ever player in the game’s best side. The influence of Guardiola created a super team with Messi the man who set them apart from their rivals. A joy to watch.
The story of Wirtz's game is his late miss, but his first half impressed me greatly. One of these Wirtz performances where he is like: "Of course I do everything right all the time, why do you ask?"
February 15, 2025 at 7:40 PM
The story of Wirtz's game is his late miss, but his first half impressed me greatly. One of these Wirtz performances where he is like: "Of course I do everything right all the time, why do you ask?"
Flick's Barca have a fundamentally different attitude towards chaos and randomness compared to the classic Pep paradigm.
Flick: Let's throw slightly loaded dice all the time.
Guardiola: Let's not throw dice.
Flick: Let's throw slightly loaded dice all the time.
Guardiola: Let's not throw dice.
February 9, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Flick's Barca have a fundamentally different attitude towards chaos and randomness compared to the classic Pep paradigm.
Flick: Let's throw slightly loaded dice all the time.
Guardiola: Let's not throw dice.
Flick: Let's throw slightly loaded dice all the time.
Guardiola: Let's not throw dice.