Latest articles by Alex Hess
FourFourTwo's 2017 review: the best, worst and most bizarre events of the year
Lists A comeback for the ages, the best teenager since Messi and a Carroll double - Alex Hess picks out the most memorable moments of the last 12 months
Why Pep Guardiola has cashed in his values at Manchester City
Manchester City The acclaimed coach was supposed to bring an exciting new dawn – instead, he’s just another spendthrift boss, explains Alex Hess
FourFourTwo's 100 Best Football Players in the World 2017: No.9, Sergio Aguero
FFT100 With 132 goals in 193 Premier League games for Manchester City, the Argentine is arguably English football's deadliest scorer – and 2017 was another profitable year
FourFourTwo's 100 Best Football Players in the World 2017: No.15, Eden Hazard
FFT100 At his best, Chelsea's brilliant Belgian is arguably a top-10 player in the world. But something, somewhere is holding him back
FourFourTwo’s 50 Best Football Managers in the World 2017: No.9, Jurgen Klopp
FFT 50 Managers The two-time Bundesliga winner hasn’t yet achieved glory with Liverpool, but Merseyside's Mr. Charisma has consistently performed above his resources
FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.8, Zinedine Zidane
FFT 100 Greatest Some players are brutally effective, others elegant. Few, if any, have carried both traits as comfortably as the mercurial Frenchman
FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.13, Marco van Basten
FFT 100 Greatest From the school of Total Football came the Total Finisher, a forward whose illustrious career was cruelly cut short
Chelsea showing signs of youth change under Conte – but is this the real thing?
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
Has Antonio Conte finally ended Roman Abramovich's quest for sexy football?
Chelsea Maybe – just maybe – Chelsea's oligarch overlord has found what he's been looking for all along, writes Alex Hess
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…
Why New York City really doesn't love Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard Alex Hess looks at what's going wrong for the ex-Chelsea goal-getter in the Big Apple - and how his saga affects the image of the MLS...
Dembele puts modern twist on traditional midfield all-rounder role
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...
Timid and indecisive Mignolet is playing for his Liverpool future – contract or otherwise
Simon Mignolet Reports suggest the Belgian is set to sign a new deal at Anfield, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's set to stay for the long-term. Alex Hess evaluates his two-and-a-half years on Merseyside...
Clyne and Moreno are helping to end Liverpool's long-standing curse
Liverpool Alex Hess argues that the Reds may have found two long-term solutions to their problem position...
Arsenal will continue to start behind – and Arsene Wenger has lost his disciples for it
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
Arsenal’s ‘nice guy’ Brits are more Coldplay than Sex Pistols – but are they destined for mediocrity?
Arsenal The stuttering growth of the Gunners’ rising stars suggests that Arsene Wenger has lost his touch with developing youth, writes Alex Hess…
Why Arsene Wenger is standing at his most defining crossroads yet with Arsenal
Arsenal The Frenchman's football blueprint could still be vindicated this season, but his north London rivals are worryingly instilling it more successfully, argues Alex Hess...
Southampton feed England's bloated big boys, but how long can they dine fine themselves?
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
What on earth has happened to Cesc Fabregas?
Cesc Fabregas The Spaniard's form has taken a hit since the second half of last season. Alex Hess wants to know why...
Pepe Reina: the semi-tragic tale of a keeper in all the right places at the wrong times
Pepe Reina The former Liverpool shot-stopper's career is one littered with misfortune and near misses, as Alex Hess recalls...
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...
Arsene Wenger became English football’s moral compass – he’ll be sorely missed when he's gone
Arsene Wenger In a Premier League drunk on money, Wenger’s prudence and principles stood out. There’s nobody around to fill his shoes, argues Alex Hess
Why Liverpool against Real Madrid is European football’s ultimate clash of styles
UEFA Champions League Despite superficial similarities, Real and the Reds couldn’t be more different – both on the pitch and off it. With a Champions League up for grabs, Alex Hess explains why one side will have to give way...
FourFourTwo's 100 Greatest Footballers EVER: No.20, Paolo Maldini
FFT 100 Greatest The imperious Italian spent 25 years at Milan achieving glory and acclaim as one of the greatest defenders football has ever seen
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...
