Thore Haugstad
Latest articles by Thore Haugstad
How Paul Pogba hides Jose Mourinho's big flaw
By Thore Haugstad published
Paul Pogba It’s no wonder Manchester United struggled without their talismanic Frenchman – their whole system is based around him, writes Thore Haugstad
Why Brendan and Jose's latest face-off could be their most fascinating tactical battle yet
By Thore Haugstad last updated
Stats Zone Thore Haugstad weighs up the intriguing prospect of Rodgers' daring 3-4-3 against his old colleague's 4-2-3-1 ahead of their League Cup clash...
5 good reasons why Manchester United shouldn't sign Cristiano Ronaldo
By Thore Haugstad published
Manchester United He’s an all-time great player and an Old Trafford legend, but Thore Haugstad explains why Jose's lot should resist all temptations to bring back the Portuguese superstar
Why Real Madrid’s thumping win at Atletico has cast doubt over a BBC future
By Thore Haugstad published
Stats Zone The results aren’t lying, writes Thore Haugstad: Zinedine Zidane’s side are doing better when Bale, Benzema and Cristiano aren’t on the pitch at the same time
FFT100 2018: No.2, Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
By Thore Haugstad published
FFT100 Had it not been for Luka Modric steering Croatia to a World Cup final, CR7 would surely have taken his sixth Ballon d'Or title. He turns 34 in February – not that it seems to make a blind bit of difference...
How much is Pep Guardiola actually to blame for Manchester City’s woes?
By Thore Haugstad published
Pep Guardiola A crushing 4-0 defeat at Everton has left the Catalan’s new club 10 points adrift of Chelsea, and City fans bitterly disappointed. But is Pep the only man to point fingers at? Thore Haugstad discusses
Ada Hegerberg: why the world's best female footballer won't be playing at the Women's World Cup
By Thore Haugstad last updated
Women's World Cup Her ongoing dispute with the Norwegian Football Federation continues, as she misses yet another major competition for her country. Thore Haugstad explains why
FourFourTwo’s tactical review: City show alternative side, Conte ignores Plan B, Koeman stays cool
By Thore Haugstad published
Premier League Thore Haugstad uses Stats Zone to report four trends from the weekend’s big Premier League fixtures
5 things from Atletico 1-0 Bayern: Simeone's side do their thing again
By Thore Haugstad published
UEFA Champions League Thore Haugstad was at the Vicente Calderon to analyse the Colchoneros' defeat of the Bundesliga champions with Stats Zone...
FourFourTwo’s tactical review: Conte’s back three, Spurs’ supremacy, Pogba’s freedom
By Thore Haugstad published
Premier League Thore Haugstad uses Stats Zone to report four trends from the weekend’s big Premier League fixtures
How Branislav Ivanovic became one of Chelsea's greatest ever signings
By Thore Haugstad last updated
Stats Zone Thore Haugstad analyses the Serbian's transformation from domineering middle man to marauding full-back...
Why Ozil was always destined to become the top flight's most productive playmaker
By Thore Haugstad published
Mesut Özil The German has been recording some superb assist and chance creation statistics this season, but Thore Haugstad explains why such form has been a long time in the making...
5 reasons why it has all gone wrong for Ronaldo at Euro 2016
By Thore Haugstad published
Cristiano Ronaldo Despite his country advancing to the latter stages of Euro 2016, it hasn't been the Portuguese attacker's summer so far. Thore Haugstad investigates where it's gone wrong for the superstar…
FourFourTwo’s tactical review: Man United minus Rooney, Arsene vs Diego Costa, lopsided Man City
By Thore Haugstad published
Stats Zone Thore Haugstad uses Stats Zone to report four trends from the weekend’s big Premier League fixtures
Analysis: Amid the gloom, Chelsea are improving – and here's the proof
By Thore Haugstad published
Stats Zone The Blues have been buoyed by Champions League success as they face high-flying Leicester, but Thore Haugstad notes their displays have been improving for a while...
How the Clásico was won: 5 things from Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona
By Thore Haugstad last updated
Stats Zone Thore Haugstad was in the Bernabeu for FFT to analyse a thumping win for Barça which plunges Rafa Benitez into yet more trouble...
How Lionel Messi finally became the player he was expected to be (no, really)
By Thore Haugstad published
Barcelona The Barcelona superstar has filled many different roles over the years, but it’s only recently that he’s taken on the position many expected him to play from the start – and become even better. Why did it take so long?
Why Manchester United are passing their hardest test – before even facing Liverpool
By Thore Haugstad published
Manchester United TV ads would have you believe that big games settle Premier League titles, but Thore Haugstad explains why recent history shows how misleading this is
What on earth has happened to James Rodríguez, then?
By Thore Haugstad last updated
James Rodríguez Once a World Cup golden boy and €80m player, the Colombian is struggling to get into Real Madrid’s team for the matches that matter. Madrid-based Thore Haugstad looks at why…
Arsenal vs Liverpool preview: will Klopp's 'gegenpressing' prove too much for Gunners?
By Thore Haugstad last updated
Premier League Arsenal take on a Liverpool side feeling the benefit of a full pre-season with Jurgen Klopp in their opening 2016/17 Premier League fixture. Thore Haugstad explains how the Gunners are shaping up…
FFT100 2018: No.5, Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
By Thore Haugstad published
FFT100 He was man of the match in Europa League and World Cup finals, and refuses to hide his disappointment at the lack of Ballon d'Or recognition. Better win that Champions League in 2019, then...
Chelsea vs Man United tactical preview: Blues' big threat could be Jose's big nightmare
By Thore Haugstad published
Premier League Mourinho's bunch did an excellent job of halting a rampant Liverpool side last time out, but Thore Haugstad explains why they could come a cropper against Antonio Conte's 3-4-3