Lee Roden
Latest articles by Lee Roden
Why this could be the best La Liga title race of all time
By Lee Roden last updated
La Liga Four teams are fighting for Spanish honours this season, writes Lee Roden – and just five points separate them as Barcelona prepare to host Atletico Madrid this weekend...
Jonathan Soriano: Meet the 37-goal-per-season striker Barcelona let slip away
By Lee Roden last updated
Jonathan Soriano Casas Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez aren't exactly doing badly this season, but Lee Roden takes a look at another red-hot marksman who the Catalans let go...
Bin the long balls, Busquets the linchpin: Luis Enrique's big changes at Barcelona
By Lee Roden last updated
Barcelona The new boss at Camp Nou has a few tricks up his sleeve to wrench back the La Liga crown, says Spanish-based journalist Lee Roden...
How Luis Suarez is already helping Messi knock Ronaldo off his perch
By Lee Roden last updated
FFT100 The Uruguayan couldn't start his season until the end of October but is already resembling the player who took the Premier League by storm, writes Lee Roden...
Scouted: The World Cup star who could bolster Spurs or Man United's defence
By Lee Roden last updated
Talentspotter La Liga expert Lee Roden scouts Mexican centre-back and rumoured Tottenham and Manchester United target Hector Moreno...
Meet the forgotten France striker who could be Benzema's perfect replacement
By Lee Roden published
Kevin Gameiro With the Real Madrid man suspended from international football (for now at least), Lee Roden explains why Didier Deschamps should turn his attention towards Sevilla's goal-getting Kevin Gameiro...
Why Real Sociedad is not the easy option for David Moyes
By Lee Roden last updated
David Moyes Lee Roden assesses what the former Manchester United boss must do to hit the ground running in San Sebastian...
Step aside, Andrés: Why Isco is now proving the rightful heir to Iniesta's Spain crown
By Lee Roden last updated
Isco The Real Madrid midfielder was lauded by Elche fans last weekend, and Lee Roden says the 22-year-old is now (quietly) one of Carlo Ancelotti's most important stars...
Meet La Liga's most in-demand coach who's destined for a big move elsewhere
By Lee Roden last updated
Marcelino Marcelino has transformed the Yellow Submarine from underperforming second-tier dwellers to La Liga top-four hopefuls in just two years. Lee Roden explains why it's only a matter of time before a big gun throws money at him...
Politics, arses and cartoon cats: it's Barcelona vs Espanyol
By Lee Roden last updated
La Liga Lee Roden looks ahead to a largely unheralded city derby...
Analysed: Are Real Madrid really any better off with Zinedine Zidane?
By Lee Roden last updated
Zinedine Zidane Tonkings of Deportivo La Coruna, Sporting Gijon and Espanyol have accompanied more underwhelming performances against Real Betis and Granada, writes Lee Roden – just like like under Rafa Benitez...
Is it time to acknowledge Sergio Busquets as the best midfielder in the world?
By Lee Roden last updated
Sergio Busquets The Barça pivot remains criminally underrated despite being integral to their free-scoring season, says Lee Roden...
Cedric Bakambu: Villarreal’s latest goalscoring great who's made for the Premier League
By Lee Roden last updated
Cédric Bakambu The DR Congo international has hit 20 goals so far this season for the first time in Spain. Lee Roden explains why Barcelona are sniffing around and English clubs could make a move this summer...
4 big things Real Madrid fans can expect in future from record-breaker Gareth Bale
By Lee Roden published
Gareth Bale The Welshman surpassed Gary Lineker’s goal haul against Sevilla on Sunday, but Blancos still haven’t seen the best of Bale. Lee Roden explains what they have to look forward to...
The curious case of Carlos Vela: Arsenal whizz to Mexico outcast – but back with a vengeance
By Lee Roden last updated
Carlos Vela Lee Roden charts the fallouts, snubs and missed medals of the former Gunner's peculiar international career, after a two-goal return against the Netherlands last week...
What on earth can Gary Neville expect at Valencia?
By Lee Roden last updated
Gary Neville The England assistant-cum-Sky Sports punditry prince has leapt into the deep end to join his younger brother at Mestalla. Lee Roden evaluates G-Nev’s intriguing job ahead...
Simeone boots up Atletico 2.0 to ensure Rojiblancos don't get caught at standstill
By Lee Roden last updated
Atlético Madrid La Liga sides have been giving Atletico Madrid a rough ride since the tail end of last season, writes Lee Roden, but what has Diego Simeone done to make sure his side live up to their big-gun billing this time?
Better call Saúl? All you need to know about Simeone's Real Madrid slayer
By Lee Roden last updated
Talentspotter Lee Roden profiles the Atlético Madrid jack-of-all-trades who helped down city rivals Real Madrid in style...
How Luis Enrique is unlocking Neymar’s true quality – but faces a Suarez-shaped problem
By Lee Roden last updated
Stats Zone Lee Roden assesses how the Brazilian is thriving in his second season and wonders where on earth Luis Suarez will fit in...
The case for the defence: Why Godin deserves to be considered the world's best
By Lee Roden last updated
Diego Godin Lee Roden explains why the often-overlooked Atletico Madrid defender really is the planet's best stopper...
Forget your Galacticos: Why Luka Modric is Zinedine Zidane’s main man
By Lee Roden published
Luka Modric The multi-talented Croatian midfielder should be the man Zizou builds his team around, argues Lee Roden...
Downing Barça, outscoring Cristiano: Arsenal-linked Lucas resurrecting Deportivo
By Lee Roden published
Lucas Pérez Martinez The former Champions League semi-finalists-turned-Segunda fodder have had tough times of late – but so too has their thriving forward who's attracting English interest, writes Lee Roden...
FFT100 2018: No.20, Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
By Lee Roden published
FFT100 Barcelona's brilliant sweeper-keeper has blossomed between the sticks and earns his rightful place as the third-best goalkeeper in the world
6 things you genuinely might not know about Pep Guardiola
By Lee Roden last updated
Pep Guardiola Pep is preparing to take to the dugout at Old Trafford for the first time as Manchester City manager. Lee Roden’s got you covered on the things you might not know about the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss...