Alex Hess
An Ode to Kit Men: Soccer's Unheralded Heroes
With dressing room alchemy one of the few components of elite-level sporting success that can't simply be exchanged for a large bag of cash, the role of the kit man remains fundamental within the modern game.
Zinedine Zidane and the Perils of Going Back
Zinedine Zidane and Stuart Pearce don't have a huge amount in common beyond a shared penchant for mildly psychopathic on-field violence. But the Frenchman would do well to look to Pearce as an example of the dangers of listening to your heart.
What the Evolution of Kit Sponsors Tells Us About the Premier League
A look back over two decades of shirt sponsors provides a stripped-down history of the Premier League's rapid financial development.
Do British Managers Have a Future in the Premier League?
In the age of the continental super-coach, is it time for British bosses to adapt to a new world?
Emmanuel Adebayor: Football's Unloved Maverick
It's often said that football embraces its mavericks – but the eccentric and enigmatic Emmanuel Adebayor is an exception.
Too Much Money, Too Little Time: The Premier League's Top Clubs Are Through with Youth Players
With the TV deal billions sloshing about the game, the Premier League's top clubs can afford to spend big on the finished article. Giving youth a chance is no longer an option.
Farewell Old Stoke, Hello Tiki-Taka-on-Trent
With their collection of Clasico cast-offs, Stoke City have become one of the most intriguing teams in the Premier League.
Lassana Diarra and the Curse of Makelele
Lassana Diarra has been without a club since his sacking by Lokomotiv Moscow last year. It's been a dramatic fall for a player once described as the new Makalele.
Welcome to the Transfer Window: A Wild Ride Into the Unknown
Perhaps the only enjoyable thing about the summer transfer window is that every purchase is essentially a wild and faintly terrifying gamble.
For Mourinho, See Mayweather
Jose Mourinho and Floyd Mayweather are living proof that great sportspeople don't necessarily produce great sport.