England could win the World Cup and Thierry Henry going full Ben Wyatt at Alexi Lalas saying "full-kit wanker" on live TV would still probably be my favourite moment of the tournament.

@xantar.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Had to rewind. This is so funny

Pick specific World Cups from the timeline in the left margin, or scroll through them all, including a look ahead to the 2026 edition. For the optimal user experience we recommend 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐩. 🛠️ @petermckeever.bsky.social ✍️ @rbenson92.bsky.social theanalyst.com/articles/wor...

History of the FIFA World Cup: Journey Through Time With the Opta Analyst Interactive Atlas | Opta Analyst

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just around the corner, brush up on your tournament history (and geography) with our interactive World Cup Atlas. Map fans, unite!

theanalyst.com

bizarre, from everyone involved

Christina@christina6ys.bsky.social · 7mo ago

game's gone. where's the ref cam at least

Jose Mourinho an absolute disgrace with his victim blaming of Vinicius Junior. I'll also just point that out that Mark Clattenburg on Prime commentary said "[Vinicius] made this situation very, very difficult" 🤔

Grim.

Sky News@news.sky.com · 8mo ago

'The UK has been colonised by immigrants', says INEOS boss and Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐲𝐦𝐚𝐫 Bournemouth's latest rough diamond is Rayan. A £25m signing from Vasco, he'd already been hailed "the most complete striker in Brazil" at the age of 19. But what specifically alerted Bournemouth to him? ✍️ @rbenson92.bsky.social theanalyst.com/articles/ray...

More Adriano Than Neymar: Understanding Rayan, Bournemouth’s Latest Rough Diamond | Opta Analyst

Bournemouth are preparing to unleash their latest prospect after signing him from Vasco da Gama to replace Antoine Semenyo. But why is Rayan so highly rated?

theanalyst.com

Ruben Amorim's last day on the job:

Mason Mount's best game for United. So good.

This has been absolutely pitiful from United. Wolves dreadful but United just don't look interested. Cunha and Mbeumo probably the worst of the bunch.

Peter Drury said "parish". Everyone drink.

𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐭𝐝: 𝐒𝐞𝐭-𝐏𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬?! It wasn't so long ago that Man Utd were one of the least-inspiring sides in the Premier League when it came to attacking set-pieces. Now, they're one of the most effective. How? ✍️ @rbenson92.bsky.social theanalyst.com/articles/man...

‘Good Artists Copy, Great Artists Steal’: How Ruben Amorim Turned Man Utd Into Set-Piece Specialists | Opta Analyst

Under Erik ten Hag, Man Utd were one of the least-inspiring teams in the Premier League at set-pieces. Things have changed since Ruben Amorim arrived.

theanalyst.com

United's resilience makes a nice change though. Four games in a row that they've scored in 81st minute or later, three of them result-altering goals.

United appalling in the second half. So passive and unimaginative in attack... But defeat would've been harsh.

Really enjoyable story to work on, and great to speak to some of the people involved.

Opta Analyst@optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 12mo ago

𝐀 𝐋𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜-𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐧 Mjällby, who play in a village with a population of 1,500, won the Allsvenskan title on Monday. A modest budget, unfashionable surroundings and a journey back from the brink; it's a success that defies all logic. ✍️ @rbenson92.bsky.social theanalyst.com/articles/mja...

Unfortunately Harry Maguire's winner has been ruined as I've seen non-Americans referring to it as "clutch". A real shame 😞

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐱𝐆 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 Periodically through the 2025-26 Premier League season, we'll delve into Opta's xG-powered metrics to go beyond goals, assists and clean sheets. Who's excelling? Who isn't? Which teams have been lucky? Which have been unlucky? The xG Files are open... theanalyst.com/articles/the...

The xG Files: Investigating the Premier League's Early-Season Outliers | Opta Analyst

After the first three matchdays of the 2025-26 Premier League season, we open The xG Files to break down the numbers behind the early performers.

theanalyst.com

Well done to @optaanalyst.optajoe.com named Website of the Year (Specialist/B2B) for 2025! #FutureMediaAwards sponsored by Stibo DX

Only five clubs in the top five leagues didn't pay a single transfer fee during the summer window (according to Transfermarkt): Heidenheim, Le Havre, Angers, Genoa and Sevilla. The absolute state of Sevilla's window:

𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐖𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞: 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐛𝐲 𝐈𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 Newcastle are closing in on the signing of Stuttgart's giant of a centre-forward, Nick Woltemade. But don't let his enormous frame trick you into thinking he's a certain type of forward. ✍️ @rbenson92.bsky.social theanalyst.com/articles/nic...

Newcastle's Coup: Silky Giant Nick Woltemade Is a Reminder to Not Judge a Book by Its Cover | Opta Analyst

Newcastle are close to signing Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart. Coveted by Bayern Munich, the Germany international's arrival would be an exciting addition.

theanalyst.com

𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐣𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐬 He'll need to do more than tame Wolves to be truly anointed Kevin De Bruyne's heir at Manchester City. But Tijjani Reijnders' Premier League debut couldn't have been much better as the Dutchman produced a classy showing. ✍️ @rbenson92.bsky.social theanalyst.com/articles/wol...

Wolves 0-4 Man City Stats: Inspirational Reijnders Steps Into De Bruyne’s Shoes on Classy Debut | Opta Analyst

Tijjani Reijnders stole the show on his Manchester City debut. See how he played a vital role in a big win at Molineux with our Wolves vs Man City stats page.

theanalyst.com

Seems I've picked up about 90 followers in the past 24 hours. So, firstly, hiya. Secondly, in the interest of appeasing the fans and acknowledging the start of the Premier League today, this is a thread of some pieces I've particularly enjoyed working on for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com recently...

𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 Ever wondered which leagues and clubs put the most faith in young players? Well, @rbenson92.bsky.social has an article for that... 🏆 Youthful champions 🛣️ Consistent route to first team 🏡 Homegrown lifelines 👴 Experience preference ⬇️ theanalyst.com/articles/you...

Which European Leagues and Clubs Put Most Faith in Young Players? | Opta Analyst

Ever wondered how attitudes and priorities relating to young players vary across Europe? Well, wonder no longer...

theanalyst.com

𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐚'𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞-𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 🔓 "Freedom" 🧬 Genetics ⚖️ Socio-economic factors 🧠 'Vision' After Scandinavian players scored more goals than ever (on record) in 2024-25, @rbenson92.bsky.social explored how they are developing youngsters in the region... ⬇️ theanalyst.com/articles/sca...

How Scandinavia Became the Centre-Forward Capital of Men's Football | Opta Analyst

There's a school of thought that the number nine is "dying out", but Norway, Sweden and Denmark are doing their best as conservationists.

theanalyst.com

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐎𝐮𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞 𝐈𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 💎 Although a potential move to Crystal Palace has gone quiet, Diomande remains a hot topic. Real Madrid, Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle have all been linked with the Sporting CP defender - but why? ✍️ @rbenson92.bsky.social theanalyst.com/articles/ous...

Why Ousmane Diomande Is Among Europe’s Most-Coveted Centre-Backs This Summer | Opta Analyst

Ousmane Diomande is being linked with numerous Premier League clubs this summer. Here, we look at what he'll offer if he does arrive on English shores.

theanalyst.com

𝐙𝐮𝐛𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐩 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐝𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐚𝐫𝐝? Simple, unflashy and selfless. Martín Zubimendi may not bring attacking flair to Arsenal. But his arrival could be pivotal in maximising the influence of Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard. theanalyst.com/articles/mar...

Martín Zubimendi Could be the Key to Arsenal Freeing up Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard | Opta Analyst

Arsenal are supposedly close to signing Spain midfielder Martín Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. Here, we analyse why he could be a shrewd acquisition by the Gunners.

theanalyst.com

Is there a more damning indictment in football than the referee allowing only 6 seconds of stoppage time?

This. How can anyone have any faith that United get £80m and then spend it all well? There's absolutely no evidence to suggest they would, and then you're also without your one genuine star who the team should be built around.

Nick@manunitedyouth.bsky.social · last yr.

The case for selling Bruno being a good idea feels like it requires an almost delusional leap of faith to me. This isn’t the Coutinho situation I’m seeing it compared to, not even close

Why has "club-to-club talks" become such a thing? What's wrong with "talks" by itself?

Lads, it's Man Utd.