Thore Haugstad
Latest articles by Thore Haugstad

Why injuries, anger and poor form have put Gareth Bale's Real Madrid place in danger
By Thore Haugstad published
Gareth Bale The Welsh ace has been a hit in Madrid, but a series of ineffective displays and the rise of a new generation have put his place under serious threat, says Thore Haugstad

Everything you need to know about Martin Odegaard
By Thore Haugstad last updated
Talentspotter Martin Odegaard is barely 16 but he's already a full international and the European giants are queuing up for him, reports Thore Haugstad...

How Angel Di Maria's wasteful play is the key to Manchester United's season
By Thore Haugstad last updated
Angel Di Maria Thore Haugstad analyses how and why Angel Di Maria's daring - and often wasteful - play is crucial to United's season...

Why THIS is the weekend for Ibra and Pogba to let loose for Manchester United
By Thore Haugstad published
Manchester United Thore Haugstad examines why the two summer signings are perfectly poised to fulfil functions Jose Mourinho has profited from throughout his career

The truth about Martin Odegaard's first season at Real Madrid
By Thore Haugstad last updated
Martin Odegaard Spanish media have painted a sorry picture of the 16-year-old Norwegian in his first season at the Bernabeu, but Thore Haugstad - who has followed the teenager's development closely, watching all but one of his appearances - says it's an unfair portrayal in a tough campaign...

Why Ronaldo might actually be the best thing to happen to Bale at Real Madrid
By Thore Haugstad last updated
Stats Zone Who cares if Cristiano's going to throw a strop when his team-mate scores? Thore Haugstad says Bale could do worse than follow his team-mate's lead...

Simeone still searching for Diego stunt double, but Torres being put to good use
By Thore Haugstad last updated
Stats Zone Thore Haugstad evaluates the first month of former Chelsea flop Fernando Torres back at his hometown team...

Toure epitomises Man City mistakes: 5 things from Real Madrid 1-0 Man City
By Thore Haugstad published
Stats Zone Thore Haugstad was at the Bernabeu to analyse this Champions League semi-final using Stats Zone…

Football tactics: a brief history of three-man defences in English football
By Thore Haugstad published
England Back threes are all the rage thanks to Antonio Conte and now even Arsene Wenger, but they're far from pioneers in England as Thore Haugstad explains

Why Jose Mourinho should be MORE defensive at Manchester United
By Thore Haugstad published
Manchester United Wait, what? It may not be what the fans want, but as Thore Haugstad explains, the Portuguese would be best served shunning entertainment for the football he knows best

Irked Ozil the real loser in Wenger's new system – and it's unlikely to change anytime soon
By Thore Haugstad last updated
Mesut Özil The World Cup winner has been marooned on the wing again this season, but he's drawn the short straw for a reason, writes Thore Haugstad...

How Pep Guardiola is proving his critics wrong – and changing the Premier League landscape
By Thore Haugstad published
Pep Guardiola Manchester City’s manager is dramatically shifting the type of football that title-winning sides play, argues Thore Haugstad

5 things from Atletico 2-0 Barcelona: How Simeone got his tactics spot on
By Thore Haugstad published
Stats Zone Thore Haugstad was at the Vicente Calderon to analyse the Colchoneros' defeat of the Champions League holders with Stats Zone...

FourFourTwo's tactical review: Pogba’s licence, Conte’s 4-2-4, Arsenal’s issue
By Thore Haugstad published
Premier League Thore Haugstad picks out four key points from the weekend’s action, as new bosses continue to make the season kick-off interesting

Why big spending has almost nothing to do with Manchester City’s success this season
By Thore Haugstad published
Manchester City Sure, Pep Guardiola had a blank chequebook to get the players he wanted this summer – but look a bit deeper and it’s clear that isn’t the real reason for City’s scintillating football this season, writes Thore Haugstad

FourFourTwo's 100 Best Football Players in the World 2017: No.20, Antoine Griezmann
By Thore Haugstad last updated
FFT100 This time last year, Atletico Madrid's mercurial Frenchman was at the top of his game, having inspired fine results for club and country. The 12 months since haven't been anywhere near as spectacular for the 26-year-old – but few would be predicting a repeat in 2018

Why Cristiano Ronaldo has stopped scoring for Madrid
By Thore Haugstad last updated
Stats Zone Thore Haugstad explains the Ballon d'Or winner's mysterious goal 'drought' as Real prepare to face Schalke...

FourFourTwo's 100 Best Football Players in the World 2017: No.21, Isco
By Thore Haugstad last updated
FFT100 For months on end he was sidelined by the BBC, but a foot in the door was all he needed. Having forced his way in, Isco is now more or less undroppable for Zinedine Zidane

Cristiano Ronaldo's evolution as a footballer is complete – and here is the evidence
By Thore Haugstad published
Cristiano Ronaldo Thore Haugstad evaluates the Real Madrid man's current role at the Bernabeu and explains why he should now be considered an out-an-out striker

How Hiddink helped fall guy Fabregas emerge from Mourinho malaise
By Thore Haugstad last updated
Cesc Fabregas The Spaniard has started pulling strings again since Guus Hiddink's arrival in December. Thore Haugstad uses FREE analysis app Stats Zone to assess Cesc's revival...
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