Seb Stafford-Bloor
Seb Stafford-Bloor is a football writer at Tifo Football and member of the Football Writers' Association. He was formerly a regularly columnist for the FourFourTwo website, covering all aspects of the game, including tactical analysis, reaction pieces, longer-term trends and critiquing the increasingly shady business of football's financial side and authorities' decision-making.
Latest articles by Seb Stafford-Bloor
10 underappreciated Premier League goals that deserve far more recognition
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
Paolo Di Canio Bergkamp vs Newcastle and Di Canio vs Wimbledon go to one side as we select the strikes that should be better remembered
Dominant, volatile and hijacked by cliché: why we still love Eric Cantona
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
LEGEND The former Manchester United forward was one of the Premier League's first true superstars – and he managed to cultivate an enduring legacy
Tottenham Premier League preview: Are Spurs and Jose Mourinho really suited to each other?
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
Seb Stafford-Bloor looks at Tottenham's odd couple of Jose Mourinho and Daniel Levy - are Spurs destined for glory or chaos?
Why powerful clubs really don't want the likes of Atalanta to succeed
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
Andrea Agnelli's comments on status quo of football are a worrying glimpse at a future where football has lost its origins and its history
Are Crystal Palace finally starting to see the value in youth?
By Seb Stafford-Bloor last updated
Comment Crystal Palace's signing of 19-year-old Nathan Ferguson indicates they could be starting to look at players who will improve – and have that crucial resale value
A loan wouldn't work for Ryan Sessegnon – Jose Mourinho should keep him at Tottenham
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
SPURS TRANSFERS Ryan Sessegnon has been linked with loan move back to Fulham after a difficult season at Tottenham. But a temporary transfer won't help his development
Arsenal's redundancies announcement undermines the club's positive new identity under Mikel Arteta
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
Comment This week, Arsenal announced 55 redundancies at the club. But while they look to splash out in the transfer market, the news leaves a sour taste
Where next for Eddie Howe? After Bournemouth, his biggest challenge is avoiding the Premier League's managerial merry-go-round
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
Managers Eddie Howe may never be able to replace what he had at Bournemouth, but that should be what he aims for – and why he shouldn't take whatever job comes up next
This summer provides a new opportunity for football's elite clubs to cement their status for years to come
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
PREMIER LEAGUE The financial hit of coronavirus and the relaxing of Financial Fair Play is good news for the Premier League's big sides. The next 10 weeks could shape the next decade of football
Jack Grealish should stick with Aston Villa – at least for one more season
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
Transfer interest in Jack Grealish is high after an impressive debut Premier League season, with Manchester United regularly tipped as favourites. But is now the right time to leave?
The David Silva debate: Will he go down as a Premier League great?
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
David Silva's lack of statistical supremacy is a stick often used to beat him with, but the outgoing Manchester City midfielder's legacy shows influence can't always be counted simply
Where do Liverpool go next? What Jurgen Klopp will be looking for in the transfer market this summer
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
CHAMPIONS Last summer, Jurgen Klopp wisely decided Liverpool did not need new signings. But the Premier League winners will need to refresh this side eventually
The five substitutions rule is sticking around – this is why it's such a backwards step
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
The rule allowing more substitutes during matches has been extended to cover all of the 2020/21 season. Will this be a permanent change in football – and what will it mean?
Why Chris Wilder is my Manager of the Year
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
COMMENT Sheffield United's Chris Wilder has made his own way up through the Football League pyramid, and his first season in the Premier League has been a huge success
Why Virgil van Dijk is the Premier League player of the year
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
COMMENT This year isn't a cut and dry contest - but Seb Stafford-Bloor argues that Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk should be crowned FWA Footballer of the Year
What's going on with VAR? Why the system isn't helping itself against accusations of bias
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
COMMENT Inconsistencies between games – such as Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah and Burnley's James Tarkowski this week – are frustrating fans. How can the Premier League rebuild trust in VAR?
They're probably safe – but avoiding relegation will mean West Ham’s hubristic owners got lucky
By Seb Stafford-Bloor last updated
ANALYSIS West Ham's plan seems to rest on a hope they just need one summer when all their big-money transfer gambles work out. That's not a recipe for success
The Premier League relegation battle: what managers go through in the race against the drop
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
COMMENT The bottom of the Premier League table can be a hopeless place – so how do managers keep the faith?
The next Premier League transfer window will be fascinating – as money finally becomes a problem
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
Bottomless pits of cash are a thing of the past as lockdown-hit Premier League clubs look for innovative plan Bs in the transfer window
Five substitutions per game is a reform that could be here to stay – so how will it change the game?
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
The temporary coronavirus measure has already had a huge impact on Premier League and FA Cup matches - how might it work in the long term?
Does anyone know what Arsenal's transfer strategy is? How uncertainty rules in north London
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
A new David Luiz contract, Mikel Arteta in the dugout and poor results on the pitch: what is it that Arsenal are aiming for?
Uncertainty in non-league: how one club is trying to prepare for football's return – whenever that is
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
Sixth-tier Weymouth are seeking a second straight promotion in a world of cash concerns, COVID fears and no sense of when next season will be
How Aaron Wan-Bissaka is fast becoming a complete full-back at Manchester United
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
Manchester United's 22-year-old right-back Wan-Bissaka is coming on leaps and bounds - at both ends of the pitch
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