Latest articles by Lee Roden
How Spain is treating G-Nev’s difficult start at Valencia
Gary Neville Gary Neville is yet to taste La Liga victory at the Mestalla helm, and the pen-pushers are showing no mercy writes Lee Roden...
5 La Liga stars who could be Premier League January gems
La Liga With the winter window almost upon us, Lee Roden looks at some of the La Liga talents who could be heading to England next month...
5 early characteristics of Gary Neville's coaching style
Gary Neville Lee Roden analyses the philosophies that the former Manchester United captain is trying to impart on Valencia...
Why the Europa League can rediscover the magic of the UEFA Cup
UEFA Europa League With underdogs making waves and the knockout stages set to feature more quality sides than ever, Lee Roden explains why Europe's junior competition is enjoying something of a renaissance...
What on earth can Gary Neville expect at Valencia?
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...
Scouted: The World Cup star who could bolster Spurs or Man United's defence
Talentspotter La Liga expert Lee Roden scouts Mexican centre-back and rumoured Tottenham and Manchester United target Hector Moreno...
Why Real Sociedad is not the easy option for David Moyes
David Moyes Lee Roden assesses what the former Manchester United boss must do to hit the ground running in San Sebastian...
Bin the long balls, Busquets the linchpin: Luis Enrique's big changes at Barcelona
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...
Why this could be the best La Liga title race of all time
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
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...
The curious case of Carlos Vela: Arsenal whizz to Mexico outcast – but back with a vengeance
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...
Simeone boots up Atletico 2.0 to ensure Rojiblancos don't get caught at standstill
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?
Cedric Bakambu: Villarreal’s latest goalscoring great who's made for the Premier League
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
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...
Analysed: Are Real Madrid really any better off with Zinedine Zidane?
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...
How Luis Suarez is already helping Messi knock Ronaldo off his perch
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...
Step aside, Andrés: Why Isco is now proving the rightful heir to Iniesta's Spain crown
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...
Politics, arses and cartoon cats: it's Barcelona vs Espanyol
La Liga Lee Roden looks ahead to a largely unheralded city derby...
Is it time to acknowledge Sergio Busquets as the best midfielder in the world?
Sergio Busquets The Barça pivot remains criminally underrated despite being integral to their free-scoring season, says Lee Roden...
Meet La Liga's most in-demand coach who's destined for a big move elsewhere
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...
Meet the forgotten France striker who could be Benzema's perfect replacement
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...
Better call Saúl? All you need to know about Simeone's Real Madrid slayer
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
Stats Zone Lee Roden assesses how the Brazilian is thriving in his second season and wonders where on earth Luis Suarez will fit in...
FFT100 2018: No.20, Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
FFT100 Barcelona's brilliant sweeper-keeper has blossomed between the sticks and earns his rightful place as the third-best goalkeeper in the world
Downing Barça, outscoring Cristiano: Arsenal-linked Lucas resurrecting Deportivo
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...
