Alex Hess
Latest articles by Alex Hess
The changing face of the Championship: how England’s second tier shifted its style
By Alex Hess last updated
Championship There are exceptions to the rule, writes Alex Hess, but the league is seeing a cultural change that's causing ever-more disparity between promotion challengers and drop-dodgers
8 Premier League stars who urgently need to leave their clubs this month
By Alex Hess last updated
Premier League Stuck in a rut, but still with something to offer – Alex Hess on the Premier League players who need a move ASAP to reboot their careers
Why so serious? Klopp and Ranieri show Jose, Pep and Conte that football's meant to be fun
By Alex Hess last updated
Jürgen Klopp Sure, the latter trio are incredibly successful coaches – but why don't they ever seem to enjoy themselves? And come to think of it, why doesn't anyone? Alex Hess investigates
FourFourTwo's 100 Best Football Players in the World 2017: No.15, Eden Hazard
By Alex Hess last updated
FFT100 At his best, Chelsea's brilliant Belgian is arguably a top-10 player in the world. But something, somewhere is holding him back
Rafa, Fergie, Clough and Louis: Is man-management overrated?
By Alex Hess last updated
Brian Clough Knowing how to handle a group of players has always been considered a cornerstone of management, but Alex Hess argues it's not all it's cracked up to be...
Chelsea showing signs of youth change under Conte – but is this the real thing?
By Alex Hess published
Chelsea It's early days, says Alex Hess, but the Blues certainly seem more willing to give youth a chance under the guidance of Antonio Conte
Why Sky Sports are in danger of ruining a winning formula
By Alex Hess last updated
Thierry Henry Thierry Henry's puzzling criticism of Javier Hernandez earned the Arsenal legend widespread criticism, but Alex Hess wonders whether the Frenchman's presence is a more a damaging long-term prospect...
FourFourTwo's 100 Best Football Players in the World 2017: No.19, Paul Pogba
By Alex Hess last updated
FFT100 As a measure of Pogba's excellence, just look at Manchester United when he's not in the side. The Frenchman offers what nobody else can at Old Trafford – and yet there's still so much to come
FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.13, Marco van Basten
By Alex Hess last updated
FFT 100 Greatest From the school of Total Football came the Total Finisher, a forward whose illustrious career was cruelly cut short
Jose Mourinho and Old Trafford should be a perfect match – so why are Manchester United horrible at home?
By Alex Hess published
Manchester United History tells us this should make for a winning combination, but results tell a very different story. Alex Hess explores the issues
West Ham need something drastic to kickstart a revival – they might not get it in the Premier League
By Alex Hess published
West Ham United After a decade of David Gold and David Sullivan's ownership, West Ham need a shot in the arm - and it's not going to come from another season where they narrowly miss relegation
5 big things to look out for in the Premier League this weekend
By Alex Hess published
Premier League Alex Hess picks out the key talking points ahead of another round of top-flight tussles
The life and loathing of Samir Nasri: arrogant irritant or misunderstood misfit?
By Alex Hess last updated
Samir Nasri Manchester City's out-of-favour playmker is hardly Mr Popular in England or his homeland, but Alex Hess suggests why now is exactly the time to keep him close at Eastlands...
Southampton feed England's bloated big boys, but how long can they dine fine themselves?
By Alex Hess published
Southampton Southampton have seen their top talent snatched away by the Premier League's big guns far more than most clubs. Alex Hess explores the science behind the Saints' balancing act, and considers whether they can sustain their success
Dembele puts modern twist on traditional midfield all-rounder role
By Alex Hess published
Mousa Dembélé The Tottenham man is both a creator and a ball-winner, a combination that's become less common in today's game. Alex Hess analyses the Belgian's brilliant renaissance...
Clyne and Moreno are helping to end Liverpool's long-standing curse
By Alex Hess published
Liverpool Alex Hess argues that the Reds may have found two long-term solutions to their problem position...
Red-hot Blue to bench-dwelling onlooker: What has happened to Juan Mata?
By Alex Hess published
Juan Mata The Spain international used to be the Premier League's best playmaker but has now been dropped in favour of Jesse Lingard and Marouane Fellaini. Alex Hess asks where it all went wrong...
Fergie, fitting in and the future for Adnan Januzaj at Manchester United
By Alex Hess last updated
Adnan Januzaj Brought in by Sir Alex, matured by Moyes and then initially forgotten about by Van Gaal, the 20-year-old is now back in the picture at Old Trafford after a tough year. And now he has a real chance to shine, writes Alex Hess...
Ranked! Football's 10 most shocking matches of the last 20 years
By Alex Hess last updated
Lists Three years ago this month, Brazil’s World Cup humbling rocked football. But what results over the last two decades have sent the biggest shockwaves through the football world?
Ranked! Every current Premier League manager based on their work this season
By Alex Hess last updated
Premier League Rafa the gaffer, Jurgen the German and Dyche the worm-devourer – Alex Hess assess the Premier League’s bosses, with the exception of Darren Moore, who can’t be blamed for West Brom’s current state
5 big Premier League players facing make-or-break seasons at their current clubs
By Alex Hess published
Premier League Alex Hess looks at a clutch of stars who'll need to prove their worth in 2016/17
Arsenal will continue to start behind – and Arsene Wenger has lost his disciples for it
By Alex Hess published
Arsenal The Arsenal boss is driven by principle rather than stubbornness but, as Alex Hess explains, it's done him no favours with the Gunners' fanbase
What on earth has happened to Cesc Fabregas?
By Alex Hess published
Cesc Fabregas The Spaniard's form has taken a hit since the second half of last season. Alex Hess wants to know why...
Football fans are being shortchanged when it comes to broadcasters' post-match analysis
By Alex Hess published
Premier League Alex Hess argues that pundits spend too much time focusing on the actions of match officials
Local boy Marcus Rashford is battling Manchester United’s club values, as well as Ibra
By Alex Hess published
Marcus Rashford The 18-year-old might just be good enough to get into Jose’s team on merit alone, but his progress could be stunted by his club’s craving for attention, writes Alex Hess