Blair Newman
Latest articles by Blair Newman
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Milan Badelj: Croatia's 'other' midfielder who'd fit in well at Tottenham
By Blair Newman published
Talentspotter It's easy to get overshadowed when your team-mates include Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic but, as Blair Newman explains, the Fiorentina man has been quietly impressive at Euro 2016 and could be a success at White Hart Lane
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9 Serie A stars who Premier League clubs should have eyes on in January
By Blair Newman last updated
Serie A Ahead of the winter window, Blair Newman picks out a handful of Italy-based players who would suit a number of English clubs
![Mo Salah, Liverpool](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TozfnyyBqtpJuN8jNVwvh9-320-80.jpg)
How Mohamed Salah is primed for a second crack at the Premier League with Liverpool
By Blair Newman published
Mohamed Salah After on-again, off-again transfer rumours, it looks like Liverpool are finally set to land the Egyptian who thrilled at Roma and is a superior player to the bit-part figure he was at Chelsea
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Olivier Ntcham: Man City's long-term answer to Toure who's thriving in Serie A
By Blair Newman published
Talentspotter Blair Newman profiles the young French midfielder who's made a bright start in a competitive environment at Genoa...
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5 things Liverpool fans NEED to know about Roma
By Blair Newman published
UEFA Champions League Reds host Romans in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at Anfield on Tuesday night – but what should they be expecting? Blair Newman offers the insight
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7 Serie A starlets ready for the Premier League
By Blair Newman last updated
Serie A Blair Newman profiles some of the young stars on the peninsula who could make a big impact with summer moves to England...
![Ralf Rangnick](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uq5F24jFtPhMs7fKmdncpH-320-80.jpg)
The 7 best sporting directors in world football right now
By Blair Newman last updated
Strategic planning often goes out of the window in the January market, when an intermediary between the board and manager can be invaluable. Blair Newman picks out the best in the business
![Fabian Delph, Jesse Lingard](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/i6VaQZqsKhpjaADSYuNHZS-320-80.jpg)
8 Premier League players who've benefited most from a positional change this season
By Blair Newman published
Lists Steve Bould recently suggested that Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette could be re-deployed as a No.10. Perhaps that's not as strange as it sounds, judging by these success stories from 2017/18...
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Why the Premier League would be better if Chelsea hired Jorge Sampaoli
By Blair Newman published
Jorge Sampaoli The bubbly Bielsa disciple is now the bookies' favourite to take over from Guus Hiddink at the end of the campaign. Blair Newman explains why the Premier League would be an even funner place with the former Chile boss in it...
![Lucas Torreira](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jpTqr6NPXQtMPoBwEvURfk-320-80.jpg)
7 rising Serie A stars who Premier League clubs could seriously target in January
By Blair Newman published
Premier League From a pitbull in midfield to an attacker who can curl in the ball with either foot, Blair Newman picks out the Italian league players England’s top clubs should be watching
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Ali Adnan: Udinese's Iraqi youngster who could become the next Gareth Bale
By Blair Newman last updated
Talentspotter Blair Newman provides the lowdown on the Zebrette's latest star in the making...
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Meet the 5 goalkeepers in line to replace Gigi Buffon as Italy’s No.1 in 2018
By Blair Newman published
Gianluigi Buffon The mercurial Juventus glovesman has recently confirmed his intentions to retire after the World Cup in Russia, leaving a terrifying task for his successor. Blair Newman evaluates the candidates...
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Why Real Madrid and Man United want Lucas Biglia to beef up their midfields
By Blair Newman last updated
Talentspotter Rafa Benitez and Louis van Gaal have both been linked with summer moves for Lazio's engine room technician, and Blair Newman explains why...
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7 types of post-tournament transfer that will definitely happen after Euro 2016
By Blair Newman published
Euro 2016 There's always a flurry of activity following an international competition. Blair Newman predicts who'll be on the move this summer...
![Tammy Abraham](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ek9A54DnWnKwsBvJYc4aPD-320-80.jpg)
13 Premier League loanees who could make spectacular first-team returns in 2017/18
By Blair Newman published
Premier League Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea (of course) are among the clubs who could win big by bringing back players who have excelled on loan this season
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How Roma can spring a surprise on Real Madrid
By Blair Newman last updated
AS Roma Luciano Spalletti is hoping to repeat history with the Giallorossi on Wednesday and Blair Newman thinks the coach's tactics could surprise the Spanish giants...
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5 key things Arsenal need to know about Milan before their Europa League clash
By Blair Newman published
Milan A resurgent Liverpool reject and a new generation of talent could cause the Gunners problems - but this AC Milan side still has a weakness to exploit, as Blair Newman explains
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FourFourTwo's 100 Best Football Players in the World 2017: No.16, Paulo Dybala
By Blair Newman last updated
FFT100 A scintillating start to 2017/18 is merely a continuation of the Argentine's growth in prominence over the last year. What comes next could be very exciting indeed...
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FourFourTwo's 100 Best Football Players in the World 2017: No.18, Dries Mertens
By Blair Newman last updated
FFT100 Surprised? Don't be: Mertens' individual numbers beggar belief in a sensational calendar year when he outgunned every player in Italy
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Charles Aranguiz: the Chilean needed to complete your club's midfield
By Blair Newman published
Talentspotter Blair Newman profiles arguably the best midfielder outside of Europe who's caught the eye of Arsenal and Chelsea...
![Mauricio Pochettino](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qEQsBmzM6A7fNrwEz89mPW-320-80.jpg)
Ranked! The 10 key contenders to replace Luis Enrique at Barcelona
By Blair Newman published
Barcelona After the current Blaugrana boss announced his intention to leave at the end of the season, Blair Newman weighs up the candidates to replace him
![Andrea Belotti](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tNvfUXD7SSGeRM6iHrm9Qe-320-80.jpg)
Meet Andrea Belotti: Italy's new No.9 who just dealt Man United a blow
By Blair Newman published
Talentspotter Blair Newman introduces the 22-year-old Italian hotshot who's been linked with a move to Old Trafford as a long-term Zlatan replacement
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Meet one of Europe's top-scoring defenders who could be England-bound
By Blair Newman last updated
Talentspotter Torino's Euro-hopping Kamil Glik has risen from obscurity to become one of Serie A's most fearsome defenders. Blair Newman suggests why he'd make a good signing for the clutch of English clubs he's linked with...
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FourFourTwo's 100 Best Football Players in the World 2017: No.28, Gianluigi Buffon
By Blair Newman last updated
FFT100 Italy's failure to qualify for World Cup 2018 was an ignominious end to the international career of an all-time Azzurri legend, but it's not the last act for Juventus's 39-year-old – and still-brilliant – custodian
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