Latest articles by Alex Hess
Why Chelsea fans have hated Sarriball this season – and even victory in Europe won't help him
Chelsea Even success in the Europa League may not save Maurizio Sarri. But why are the Stamford Bridge faithful so opposed to his “progressive” playing style?
Official! The 16 lowest-scoring forwards in Premier League history
Premier League Not our opinion: it’s the raw data from our pals at STATS which tells us these men avoided goals like the plague during their time in the Premier League
FourFourTwo's 100 Best Football Players in the World 2017: No.7, N'Golo Kante
FFT100 A back-to-back Premier League champion with different clubs – one of them the most unlikely title winners in English football history. Is the Frenchman really this good? Just try watching his teams without him...
Why Philippe Coutinho was probably doomed from the start at Barcelona
Barcelona He’s been neither bad nor brilliant at the Camp Nou, but already the Barça board are weighing up the possibility of cashing in. What gives?
The curious case of Alvaro Morata: a struggling striker yet to find his level
Chelsea He's about to end his difficult Chelsea spell after similar struggles at Real Madrid and Juventus – indicative of a player who just hasn't been quite good enough to make such a grade, writes Alex Hess
The 6 best Premier League players outside the top six this season
Premier League Virgil van Dijk and Raheem Sterling are set for a clean sweep of the individual awards this term, but these stars outside the top bracket deserve some love too
Where did it all go wrong for Jack Wilshere?
Jack Wilshere The 24-year-old Arsenal midfielder’s loan move to Bournemouth caught everyone off guard, but perhaps it’s been a while coming. Alex Hess assesses the situation…
Klopp at Liverpool, five months on: how victory over United could kick-start a new Reds revolution
Jürgen Klopp Alex Hess evaluates the German’s Anfield adventure 35 games in, as his Merseysiders bid to topple their M62 rivals in Europe...
Why Tottenham deserve even more credit than you think this season
Premier League Many Premier League teams have fallen away the season after a failed title bid, which Alex Hess believes makes Spurs' current campaign all the more impressive
Rafa Benitez is one of football's most misunderstood figures – even if he's a walking contradiction
Rafael Benítez The apparently awkward and aloof tactician has opted to remain at St James' Park despite relegation, a decision that Alex Hess explains underlines his capacity for emotion...
FourFourTwo’s 100 Best Teenagers in the World 2017: No.4, Christian Pulisic
100 Best Teenagers Despite seeing their country fail to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986, Americans at least have something to cling to: their teenage sensation who's already his country's most important star
We really need to talk about Everton's defence – because nobody seems to be noticing...
Everton A year ago, the Toffees’ rearguard appeared to be their weak link. Now, with one of the best defensive records in the Premier League last season, it could be their key strength
How Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham showed up a transfer-obsessed nation
Tottenham Hotspur At almost no point has it been considered that there might actually be benefits to not buying anyone – until now, writes Alex Hess
FourFourTwo’s Best 100 Football Players in the World 2016: No.21 – Diego Godin
FFT100 Alex Hess hails Atletico Madrid's defensive rock after another brilliant 12 months…
Always the bridesmaid? How Higuain rebuilt his reputation to become Europe's most wanted striker
Gonzalo Higuaín The Argentine striker has Naples dreaming of a first Scudetto since the Maradona-inspired triumph of 1990. Alex Hess examines why the former Madrid goal-getter prefers operating in a smaller pond...
FourFourTwo's 100 Best Football Players in the World 2017: No.25, David Silva
FFT100 He may be going for a skinhead look these days, but it's still the same – or perhaps even better – classy David Silva we're drooling over
The fall of Neymar: where PSG's ill-tempered talisman has been going wrong
PSG He was supposed to be the player who broke Messi and Ronaldo’s duopoly at the top – but now everything is falling apart around him. Can Neymar find happiness again?
What happened to France’s lost ‘87 Generation? A tale of promise, bust-ups and bitterness
France In 2004, Karim Benzema, Samir Nasri, Hatem Ben Arfa and Jeremy Menez were dazzling with France’s under-17s, all braced for bigger things. Yet, in their nation’s big year, none of them are around – and never will play a minute together, writes Alex Hess...
Chelsea need to let John Terry go in order to embrace the future
John Terry The Blues skipper says he’s likely to end his 21-year association with the club at the end of the season, but whether true or not it’s probably for the best, writes Alex Hess...
Alexandre Lacazette is the big loser of Unai Emery’s Arsenal plan – but it doesn't have to be this way
Arsenal The French striker, signed for £46.5m a year ago, is out of the starting XI and rumoured to be exploring his transfer options. Alex Hess explains why he's suddenly found himself down the pecking order
Costa seeks to slay Drogba's ghost at the strikers' graveyard
Chelsea The brawny Brazilian-come-Spaniard may be Chelsea's best hope of finally ending the Drogba era, says Alex Hess...
From frustrator to difference maker: how crafty Coutinho finally got it right
Philippe Coutinho The Brazilian has dazzled since the turn of the year for Liverpool, after two years of working towards making it happen consistently. Alex Hess evaluates his ascent...
Why losing the Europa League final might actually be best for Liverpool
There’s a significant trinket up for grabs and Champions League football too, writes Alex Hess – but Sevilla might well do the Reds a greater long-term favour by winning in Basel…
