Jonathan Wilson

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Jonathan Wilson

It’s 17 years since Thomas Müller made his debut for Bayern. Since then he has played 751 games for the club, scoring 248 goals, while also scoring 45 goals in 131 games for Germany. He has won 13 Bundesliga titles, two Champions Leagues and a World Cup. He will retire at the end of the Club World Cup after a career played entirely at the highest level and yet still nobody has been able to quite work out what he is. Is he a centre-forward? Is he a false 9?

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Jonathan Wilson

Brøndby appointed Thomas Frank as manager in June 2013 and did not win any of their first eight games of the 2013-14 season. Brentford appointed Frank as manager in October 2018 and lost eight of their following 10 games. So nobody should panic if Frank begins slowly at Tottenham. In reality, though, the first couple of months will be a major challenge for the Dane. These are not easy circumstances for anybody to take the Spurs job.

2 weeks ago | unherd.com | Jonathan Wilson

The ProtocolLionel MessiFootballAmerican RepublicSaudi ArabiaSocietySportUK When the draw for the Fifa Club World Cup was made in December, the cheapest ticket for the opening game — to be played on Saturday in Miami, between Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and the Cairo giants Al-Ahly — was $349. This week, organisers have been trying to sell five tickets for $20. In any normal world, such a lack of demand would be the cause for major concern. But this is modern football.

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Jonathan Wilson

Last Sunday, in the northern Argentinian city of Santiago del Estero, Platense beat Huracán 1-0 to win Argentina’s Apertura, the decisive goal a beautiful dipping effort struck at the top of the bounce by Guido Mainero. It was the first title in the club’s 120‑year history and provoked scenes of extraordinary emotion. Platense are one of Argentina’s quirkier clubs.

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Jonathan Wilson

We’re now a year-ish from the World Cup. The tournament is still dominated by European and South American teams. But which continent without a winner (Asia, Africa, Central and North America and, I guess, Oceania) has the best chance of lifting the trophy first? – StaceyThis is a fascinating question and one that brings a wide range of factors into play. To start, what difference will the expansion of the tournament make?