Seb Stafford-Bloor
Seb Stafford-Bloor is a football writer at Tifo Football and member of the Football Writers' Association. He was formerly a regularly columnist for the FourFourTwo website, covering all aspects of the game, including tactical analysis, reaction pieces, longer-term trends and critiquing the increasingly shady business of football's financial side and authorities' decision-making.
Latest articles by Seb Stafford-Bloor

Dominant, volatile and hijacked by cliché: why we still love Eric Cantona
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
LEGEND The former Manchester United forward was one of the Premier League's first true superstars – and he managed to cultivate an enduring legacy

10 underappreciated Premier League goals that deserve far more recognition
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
Paolo Di Canio Bergkamp vs Newcastle and Di Canio vs Wimbledon go to one side as we select the strikes that should be better remembered

Are Crystal Palace finally starting to see the value in youth?
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
Comment Crystal Palace's signing of 19-year-old Nathan Ferguson indicates they could be starting to look at players who will improve – and have that crucial resale value

A loan wouldn't work for Ryan Sessegnon – Jose Mourinho should keep him at Tottenham
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
SPURS TRANSFERS Ryan Sessegnon has been linked with loan move back to Fulham after a difficult season at Tottenham. But a temporary transfer won't help his development

Arsenal's redundancies announcement undermines the club's positive new identity under Mikel Arteta
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
Comment This week, Arsenal announced 55 redundancies at the club. But while they look to splash out in the transfer market, the news leaves a sour taste

Where next for Eddie Howe? After Bournemouth, his biggest challenge is avoiding the Premier League's managerial merry-go-round
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
Managers Eddie Howe may never be able to replace what he had at Bournemouth, but that should be what he aims for – and why he shouldn't take whatever job comes up next

This summer provides a new opportunity for football's elite clubs to cement their status for years to come
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
PREMIER LEAGUE The financial hit of coronavirus and the relaxing of Financial Fair Play is good news for the Premier League's big sides. The next 10 weeks could shape the next decade of football

Where do Liverpool go next? What Jurgen Klopp will be looking for in the transfer market this summer
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
CHAMPIONS Last summer, Jurgen Klopp wisely decided Liverpool did not need new signings. But the Premier League winners will need to refresh this side eventually

Why Chris Wilder is my Manager of the Year
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
COMMENT Sheffield United's Chris Wilder has made his own way up through the Football League pyramid, and his first season in the Premier League has been a huge success

Why Virgil van Dijk is the Premier League player of the year
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
COMMENT This year isn't a cut and dry contest - but Seb Stafford-Bloor argues that Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk should be crowned FWA Footballer of the Year

What's going on with VAR? Why the system isn't helping itself against accusations of bias
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
COMMENT Inconsistencies between games – such as Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah and Burnley's James Tarkowski this week – are frustrating fans. How can the Premier League rebuild trust in VAR?

They're probably safe – but avoiding relegation will mean West Ham’s hubristic owners got lucky
By Seb Stafford-Bloor published
ANALYSIS West Ham's plan seems to rest on a hope they just need one summer when all their big-money transfer gambles work out. That's not a recipe for success
Get the best features, fun and footballing frolics straight to your inbox every week.
Thank you for signing up to Four Four Two. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.