High Footy IQ

Football through a different lens.
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[Soloball🇵🇹 @OginiSolomon]

Manchester City’s situation keeps getting darker.

Rui Pinto, the Football Leaks whistleblower whose revelations helped trigger the Premier League investigation into City, is set to lose his Portuguese witness protection just days after City were found guilty of serious financial-rule breaches. His lawyers say he faces serious safety concerns and will lose his protected accommodation.

Pinto has reportedly relocated to an undisclosed location amid fears for his safety and has sought financial support.

Manchester City deny wrongdoing and have appealed the verdict.

At this point, the Premier League and FA have a massive responsibility.

Whatever the final outcome of the appeal, this cannot simply disappear.

The integrity of English football is at stake, and the rules have to mean something.

If serious breaches are proven and go unpunished, what message does that send to every other club?

#MCFC #PL

[Soloball🇵🇹 @OginiSolomon]

Italy are actually a good team and they're looking sharp under Roberto Mancini.

The biggest problem is up front.

Italy are lacking proper wingers who can actually threaten the French full-backs. They're basically using strikers in wide positions, and it's making life far too easy for France's full-backs.

That's what's limiting Italy offensively.

Their defence has been solid and has kept them in this game, while the midfield has also been good.

They just need proper wide players to give France something different to worry about.

Honestly, this game could go either way.

France look like they're underestimating Italy, and if Italy score first, I genuinely don't see France coming back.

France are also missing a very important name in attack.

You already know who I'm talking about.

Kylian Mbappé.

[Soloball🇵🇹 @OginiSolomon]

France’s biggest weakness is still their midfield.

They have power, athleticism and quality, but they lack that controller who can dictate tempo, keep the ball under pressure and patiently bring the attackers into the game.

Vitinha and Pedri are the type of profiles they’re missing.

Games like this against Italy expose that problem. Zidane has to find a midfield combination that actually works because this one isn’t clicking.

[Soloball🇵🇹 @OginiSolomon]

Michael Olise is the best player in the world and the rightful Ballon d’Or winner. Better than Yamal, past, present and future.

That free-kick was ridiculous. Cherki set him up perfectly, and Olise found the top corner.

World-class. Generational.

Olise is the player Barcelona fans think Yamal is.

Michael Olise is HIM.

[Soloball🇵🇹 @OginiSolomon]

Just like I said earlier, France’s biggest weakness is their midfield.

They lack that technical midfielder who is comfortable under pressure and can control the ball. That’s exactly why they conceded.

Rabiot couldn’t clear it properly, played it into a tight area for Da Cunha, who was immediately under pressure. Bastoni won it, carried the ball forward and scored.

France’s midfield is a serious problem. Against teams like Spain with elite midfielders such as Rodri, this weakness will be exposed even more.

They need to find a solution.

[Soloball🇵🇹 @OginiSolomon]

France badly missed Kylian Mbappé today.

Their attack looked toothless without him. Too much safe, technical play and not enough aggression or willingness to force the issue.

This was the kind of game that needed Mbappé’s profile and Olise especially missed having a ruthless goalscorer around him.

But the bigger concern remains the midfield. France lack the technical control needed to consistently dominate games at the highest level.

Zidane has a lot to fix.

[Soloball🇵🇹 @OginiSolomon]

As much as I rate Michael Olise as a generational talent, he didn’t have a good game today.

Yes, he scored a brilliant goal. pure individual brilliance, but that goal shouldn’t completely cover up his overall performance. France’s attack was poor, and Olise wasn’t an exception.

We constantly compare Olise to Lamine Yamal, so the standard has to be consistent.

If Yamal put in this performance, we’d be all over him.

Olise scored France’s only goal, so there’s still a lot to praise. But honestly, for someone I’ve hyped this much in the Olise vs Yamal debate, today wasn’t good enough.

[Soloball🇵🇹 @OginiSolomon]

Sandro Tonali is one of the most overrated midfielders in the Premier League, and it took me a while to properly clock the type of player he is.

On paper, he looks far better than he actually is. But when you watch him closely, there’s nothing particularly special about his game. He’s just… good.

Against France today, Italy’s midfield should have dominated, especially on paper. But I didn’t see that dominance, and Tonali was at the centre of it.

He’s a good midfielder, but world-class? Not even close.

He isn’t elite at tackling, passing or defending. He’s simply decent at most things, and that’s not enough for the level of hype surrounding him.

Tonali is overrated.

[Soloball🇵🇹 @OginiSolomon]

Spain are currently way ahead of France, and honestly, it’s not even close.

A few years ago, saying this would have sounded ridiculous. Now, Spain look like a far more complete team.

France might have more individual quality, especially in attack, but Spain are built like a machine. Their biggest advantage is the exact area France are lacking in: midfield.

Spain have technicians who can control possession, dictate tempo and consistently put their attackers in dangerous positions. That midfield control is why they create so much and give opponents so little.

Add players like Lamine Yamal to that structure and you have a terrifying team.

France have the individual talent. Spain currently have the better collective.

Zidane has a lot of work to do if France want to close that gap.

[Soloball🇵🇹 @OginiSolomon]

Kevin De Bruyne playing for Napoli still feels like one of the weirdest combinations in football.

Form is temporary, class is permanent.

He may be past his physical prime and no longer have the same legs he had at Manchester City, but the technique, passing ability, shooting and, most importantly, football IQ are still there.

That’s why Napoli feels like such an odd fit. Going from Pep Guardiola’s attacking football at City to a much more defensive setup under Allegri is almost oil and water.

And his performance for Belgium today showed exactly what he still has. That goal was pure De Bruyne, technique, intelligence and execution.

The physical decline is real, but the footballing quality hasn’t disappeared.

Kevin De Bruyne is still class, and he’s going down as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.

[Soloball🇵🇹 @OginiSolomon]

Youri Tielemans with a brilliant performance for Belgium today.

I said it earlier: Baleba’s return should give Michael Carrick the freedom to experiment, and I really want to see Tielemans–Mainoo–Baleba tried in midfield.

Bruno Fernandes is still the captain and arguably United’s best player, but you can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results. Against low blocks, Bruno’s chaotic style can sometimes work against him.

Tielemans–Baleba–Mainoo gives United more balance, control and technical quality while still keeping Tielemans’ creativity.

And Bruno is human. He cannot realistically start every Champions League and Premier League game back-to-back.

Carrick should seriously try this midfield in games where United are expected to dominate possession.

As for Turkey… they look completely out of their depth in this group. Being stuck with France, Italy and Belgium is brutal.

[Soloball🇵🇹 @OginiSolomon]

Ousmane Dembélé for France is one of the most confusing and inconsistent things to watch.

At PSG, he’s world-class and a big-game player who can deliver on the biggest Champions League nights. But for France, he often looks like a completely different player.

There have been flashes since the 2026 World Cup where he’s taken over games and looked like the Ballon d’Or-level player we know he can be. But there are also far too many games where he looks lost and barely imposes himself.

Without Mbappé, I think Olise is clearly France’s most influential attacker right now. He actively tries to impose himself on games more than anyone else.

People keep judging Dembélé based on what he does for PSG, but PSG Dembélé and France Dembélé are two completely different players.

[Soloball🇵🇹 @OginiSolomon]

I was arguing with a fellow Manchester United fan recently about David Raya and Senne Lammens, and I think he completely misunderstood my point.

I am NOT saying Senne Lammens is better than David Raya.

Raya is more established, more experienced and, right now, a better goalkeeper. He is arguably one of the best goalkeepers in the world. I watch Arsenal regularly, and the amount of crucial saves Raya makes is ridiculous.

My argument is about environment.

If you put Raya in this current Manchester United team, with the amount of chances United concede, do you genuinely think he would be keeping the same number of clean sheets he keeps at Arsenal?

Of course not.

And if you put Lammens in this Arsenal team, with Arsenal's defensive structure, personnel and Arteta's tactics, do you genuinely think he would be conceding the same number of goals he currently concedes at United?

Of course not.

Last season, Raya faced 86 shots on target in the Premier League. Lammens faced 132.

Raya saved 59 of them. Lammens saved 88.

So even though Raya had the better save percentage, Lammens was being asked to deal with 46 more shots on target across the season.

And that's the point.

A goalkeeper can be world-class and still concede goals when his team constantly allows dangerous chances.

Lammens makes crucial saves for Manchester United too. I have watched him make plenty of them. But when you're constantly exposed, eventually something is going to go in.

Put both goalkeepers in the same environment and I genuinely believe the conversation would look very different.

Raya is better than Lammens right now.

That's not the debate.

The debate is how much the team in front of a goalkeeper influences what we think about the goalkeeper.

And that influence is MASSIVE.

[Soloball🇵🇹 @OginiSolomon]

The Kylian Mbappé vs Ousmane Dembélé comparison is one of the biggest examples of how modern football sometimes prioritises aesthetics over efficiency.

I love dribbling, flair and players who are entertaining to watch. But I will always take efficiency over aesthetics.

Dembélé is more flashy and aesthetically pleasing, but Mbappé is simply the more consistent and decisive player. He has a far greater ability to take over games and consistently produce at the highest level.

Dembélé can absolutely win you big games, but he’s more of a moments player. Mbappé gives you that threat far more consistently.

Today against Italy was another example. Dembélé struggled to impose himself and looked like a shadow of the player we see at PSG.

If Mbappé was playing, France would have had a completely different attacking threat.

Football isn’t won by looking pretty.

Efficiency over aesthetics. Every single time.

[Soloball🇵🇹 @OginiSolomon]

Viktor Gyökeres keeps producing for Sweden, yet at Arsenal he looks like a completely different striker.

I honestly think it’s a system and compatibility issue, not a lack of quality.

Sweden create chances for Gyökeres to attack and finish. That’s his game. He’s a traditional, clinical striker who thrives in the box.

Arsenal’s system demands more from the No. 9, dropping deep, linking play and contributing to a fluid attack rather than simply living in the box.

That’s why someone like Julián Álvarez feels more naturally suited to Arsenal than Gyökeres.

Gyökeres is clearly a good striker. Arsenal just might not be the environment that brings out his best.

[Soloball🇵🇹 @OginiSolomon]

Turkey got battered by Belgium, yet Arda Güler still looked like one of the best players on the pitch.

The guy is genuinely special. He can pass, dribble, shoot, create, control games and score. The talent is obvious.

I actually think Real Madrid’s chaotic style doesn’t consistently bring out the best in him. His best spell came under Xabi Alonso, especially alongside Mbappé.

If United ever moved on from Bruno Fernandes, Arda Güler would be my dream replacement, although realistically, getting him from Madrid is almost impossible.

The future of football is in very safe hands with players like Güler.

[Soloball🇵🇹 @OginiSolomon]

The Michael Olise vs Lamine Yamal debate is actually more beneficial to Olise than Yamal.

Olise is naturally more reserved and calculated. He doesn’t have Yamal’s personality or tendency to constantly force himself into the spotlight, and that reflects in his football too.

That’s why the constant comparison gives Olise something he otherwise might lack: attention and PR.

For the season Olise has had, he should be firmly in the Ballon d’Or conversation. Champions League Team of the Season, World Cup Team of the Season, elite assist numbers, Bundesliga Player of the Year and consistently passing the eye test.

Yet he still doesn’t get the recognition you’d expect.

If Yamal had an outstanding World Cup while Olise also performed, their constant comparisons would have put even more eyes on Olise.

And without Mbappé, Olise is clearly France’s biggest attacking threat.

So honestly, Olise should embrace the Yamal debate.

It’s giving him the spotlight his quiet personality and playing style don’t naturally create.

[Soloball🇵🇹 @OginiSolomon]

The difference between Lamine Yamal and Michael Olise is their approach to the game.

Olise is calm, calculated and selective. He doesn't force himself into every action; he waits for the right opening.

Yamal is different. He brings energy, aggression and constant pressure to defenders. He's always looking to make something happen, which is why teams are forced to double and triple-mark him.

That naturally gives Yamal an edge in efficiency and consistency.

Olise's calmness can be an advantage too, especially in big games where he doesn't constantly attract multiple defenders.

But Yamal has that ability to grab a game by the scruff of the neck.

And that's what makes him stand out.

As for France vs Italy, Olise hasn't had much impact so far and neither side has really clicked. Italy have come closest through a Moise Kean chance.

One goal could completely change this game.

[Phamouxgram🧌 @phamouxgram]

CRISTIANO RONALD0

First goal for Man United- Penalty
Last goal for Man United- Penalty

First goal for Portugal - Penalty
Last goal for Portugal - Penalty

First goal for Real Madrid - Penalty
Last goal for Real Madrid - Penalty

First goal for Al Nassr - Penalty
Possible Last goal for Al Nassr - Penalty

First goal for Juventus - Penalty
Last goal for Juventus - Penalty

[Phamouxgram🧌 @phamouxgram]

Comparing Hazard to Mahrez is like comparing Madueke to Palmer