Football Then And Now

Football Then & Now | Comparing legends, classic matches and the evolution of the modern game. A real fan's perspective.

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

@theMadridZone 375 appearances at just 26 years old for a club like Real Madrid is pure elite status. He’s truly writing his name into the club's history books.

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

@CFCsunny_ People say this about every big transfer until he drops a Masterclass on day one. Judge him on the pitch, not on Twitter.

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

@TouchlineX This is just another ridiculous PR stunt from FIFA that uses kids and political drama for views. It’s completely unworkable in reality.

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

@DeadlineDayLive Spurs are just wasting time targeting players who won't leave their clubs instead of closing the deals they can actually get done.

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

@MadridXtra @MarioCortegana Results are all that matter. I don't care who they hire as long as we stop losing key players every two weeks.

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

🩹 Injuries explain the dip in output, but as captain, Ødegaard needs to adapt when he isn’t at 100% physically.

💪 Too many matches last season saw him struggle in physical battles when teams aggressively targeted his receiving angles.

🏆 If he wants to lead Arsenal to major trophies, staying influential during tough physical stretches is essential.

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🔴⚪️ Martin Ødegaard: “I think last season was a big struggle for me, I had too many injuries and a lot of weird situations”.

“I feel good now!”, told Sky.

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

@FabrizioRomano 🔥 Arteta is right to trust Havertz and Gyökeres, but if Alvarez unexpectedly arrives at the end of August, Arsenal needs to be alert and decisive in upgrading the squad.

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

🧠 Arteta is right to trust Havertz and Gyökeres, especially over a long season.
🔥 But Alvarez brings elite sharpness and big game mentality. If he becomes available late in August, Arsenal should act, not let sentiment block a clear upgrade.
⚽ Sometimes ambition means making the tough call.

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨 Mikel Arteta when asked if Arsenal need a striker like Julian Alvarez: “As I said, I’m really happy with the squad that we have”.

“The main focus is to improve the players that we already have because we already have a lot of good things”.

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

🚨 FIFA deals a heavy blow to Argentina after the brawl that erupted immediately after the final whistle of the 2026 World Cup final!

💸 Players receive suspensions, and the AFA is also fined heavily for numerous violations.

🏟️ Most painfully: the reigning runners-up will have to play their next two home matches with stadiums reduced by half capacity — the fiery atmosphere of the Tango nation will be halved!

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

Julian Alvarez: A wrong move?

🔥 Went from winning a Treble at Man City as the ultimate big game joker to pulling a Peter Odemwingie in Madrid.

⚠️ Julian Alvarez completely miscalculated his own leverage.

💥 Burning bridges before Barca even submitted a real bid is historically terrible career management.

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

Palmeiras asking €40M for a 22 year old winger feels steep. Allan has just 9 goals in nearly 100 senior games.

Physically, he has plenty of potential. But his decision making in the final third still needs work.

For City, paying €40M mainly for potential would be a risky bet, especially with the demands of the Premier League.

[Transfer News Live @DeadlineDayLive]

🚨 Manchester City are preparing an improved package for Palmeiras winger Allan after their opening approach fell short.

Palmeiras want at least €40M (£34.6M), with a sizeable guaranteed fee, achievable bonuses and favourable payment terms.

City remain determined to strike a deal and are expected to return with increased figures in the coming days.

(Source: @ESPNBrasil)

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

Deal done! 🚨🔴 Man Utd splash £70m to snatch Baleba from Brighton.

The Cameroonian midfielder is set for a medical soon 🏥, despite carrying a slight ankle knock 🦵.

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Allan Elias from Palmeiras.
An agreement on personal terms has been reached with the Brazilian winger, leaving only final negotiations with his current club.
If successful, this would be Man City's most notable signing of the summer transfer window! 🇧🇷🔵

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

Legendary Brazil Squad that Won the 1994 World Cup
An immortal team that secured Brazil’s fourth World Cup title for the Seleção:
Cláudio Taffarel – Goalkeeper
Jorginho – Right-back
Aldair – Centre-back
Márcio Santos – Centre-back
Branco – Left-back
Mauro Silva – Defensive midfielder
Dunga – Captain, central midfielder
Mazinho – Midfielder
Zinho – Midfielder
Bebeto – Forward
Romário – Forward (Star of the tournament)
Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira
That golden team of 1994 did not merely play football — they wrote one of the most glorious chapters in Brazilian football history: solid, determined, and full of inspiration.

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

€2m plus add ons for a 31 year old keeper arriving in 2027 feels like Barcelona buying time and calling it a plan. Livaković is reliable, but hardly the elite long term No.1 they need. This deal solves the next problem, not the bigger one. Barça still lack a keeper built to dominate for years.
#barcalona

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

Álvarez wants Barcelona because Flick offers him the role he fits best: a flexible false 9 or second striker beside a main forward. Arsenal would likely lock him into being the lone 9. Atleti also know selling to Barça strengthens a direct rival while weakening themselves. The deadlock makes footballing sense, not just ego.

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

From breaking up play at Atletico to controlling Pep’s midfield at City, Rodri now arrives at Barcelona as the new Busquets. Seven years shaped him into the modern number six. At 30, a World Cup Ballon d’Or winner, he joins Camp Nou ready made, familiar with half the squad, completing Spain’s midfield cycle.

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

Juve spent big to make Di Gregorio their long term keeper, then spent again to replace him just 18 months later. Classic Juve goalkeeper cycle: sign the future, panic, then loan someone out. Bournemouth gets a quality keeper on a favorable deal, while Juve gets another press release.

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨🍒 Bournemouth are in advanced talks to sign Michele Di Gregorio from Juventus on initial loan with buy option clause.

Buy option clause not mandatory, as Sky Sport reported.

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

Two years ago, Álvarez left City as a treble winner. Now Arsenal are knocking on Atlético’s door while he still looks toward Barcelona. The Premier League rarely gets a second chance with a player who walked away. This feels less like a plan and more like a final roll of the dice.

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨🔴⚪️ Arsenal made contact with Atlético Madrid to discuss Julián Álvarez deal conditions.

Direct meeting took place in London with Atléti director Mateu Alemany.

Price currently too high + Julián never opened doors to England so far as wanted to join Barça… but #AFC tried.

🎥➕ https://t.co/5zVWgWXqEV

[Football Then And Now @FBthenandnow]

Ten games for Paredes feels historic for a post match brawl. Zidane got a red card for his 2006 headbutt with no further ban. The 2010 Netherlands Uruguay chaos was similar. FIFA clearly wants to protect the World Cup final image. Argentina are paying for losing control after Spain stayed composed.

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨 OFFICIAL: FIFA suspensions following post Argentina-Spain clash, including 10 games ban for Paredes, 7 for Nahuel Molina and 1 for Pablo Gavi.

🇦🇷 Paredes: 10-game ban + $90,000 fine
🇦🇷 Molina: 7-game ban + $90,000 fine
🇦🇷 Almada: 1-game ban + $30,000 fine
🇦🇷 Ayala: 3-game ban + $30,000 fine
🇪🇸 Gavi: 1-game ban + $30,000 fine

Suspensions are confirmed to be for the national team games. ⚠️