Author Archive: Thomas Cooper
As well as here, I write about soccer (and sometimes road cycling) for Bleacher Report and have also began writing for International Business Times. I've previously written for CNN's World Sport, Sport.co.uk, The Independent and Guardian newspapers and the Basildon Echo. Graduated from London College of Communication in 2009.
Transfer Analysis: Five English Premier League Strikers That Could Be On the Move This Summer
SWOL’s look at the top Premier League players that could transfer this summer has taken in defenders and midfielders, and now we take a look at five strikers who might be on the move. From an erratic but outrageously talented African forward who continues to perplex to an England star perhaps in need of a [...]
Transfer Analysis: Five English Premier League Defenders That Could Be On the Move This Summer
Following on from last week’s look at five English Premier League midfielders that could be transferred this summer, it is the boys at the back in the focus this time around. SWOL selects five defenders whose futures may lie elsewhere of their current clubs—from the veteran captain whose days might be numbered, to the international [...]
5 English Premier League Midfielders That Could Be On The Move This Summer
With under a month left in the English Premier League season, clubs throughout the division will be well in the process of planning for 2013-14. Fans that have already had one eye on rumors, will soon be turning their full attention to the latest stories surrounding the prospective player ins and outs of their favorite [...]
Premier League: Man United Edge Closer Home as City Seek to Learn From the Season’s Lessons
Five of the Premier League’s top-six placed teams were in action in midweek. The games might have been low on season-altering drama, but they were an entertaining step forward in 2012-13’s final run-in Manchester United’s misstep at Upton Park might have had more severe repercussions if reigning champions Manchester City were closer in the league. [...]
Champions League: Semifinal Draw Sets Up 2011-12 Competion’s Two Leading Countries
Friday’s Champions League semifinal draw will have been particularly pleasurable for those symmetrically inclined. The 2011-12 Bundesliga winners (Borussia Dortmund) are taking on the same season’s La Liga champions (Real Madrid) in one match, with each division’s runners-up (Bayern Munich and Real Madrid respectively) of that campaign contesting the other. For an added bonus, both [...]
Champions League: Battles Between Powers Old and New Define Quarterfinal Stage on a Knife-Edge
As much as things change, things stay the same. This season’s Champions League quarterfinals feature clubs synonymous with the latter stage of the competition, as well as those who are less frequently a presence -or who at least have not been for some time. Malaga and Borussia Dortmund, who contested a 0-0 draw on Wednesday, [...]
Southampton vs. Chelsea Key Battles
Southampton’s 3-1 win over Liverpool last time out had the air of one that could come to be regarded as a season defining victory. A potentially challenging opponent deservedly vanquished to secure a vital three points in their battle against relegation. With a four point gap between them and the bottom three, the Saints have [...]
San Marino vs. England: Players to Watch in World Cup Qualifier
England head to San Marino on Friday, keen to keep pace with Group H rivals and next week’s opponents Montenegro. Though unlikely to provide a stern test, Roy Hodgson and his men would me smart not to overlook San Marino—so as to avoid an upset, but also to get in the best preparation possible for [...]
Chelsea Lead the Way in Showing Why There is No Real Problem with English Football
Arsenal’s exit from the Champions League on Wednesday night signified the first time in 17 years that an English club has not been in the quarterfinal stage of the Champions League. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was one of many who saw this fact as “a massive disappointment…and wake-up call” for the English game. Disappointment is [...]
Four Things for Chelsea Fans to Look Forward To
That joyful night in Munich last May must seem an awful long time ago for Chelsea Football Club and its supporters right now. The European Champions suffered a dispiriting 1-0 loss to Steaua Bucharest on Thursday night as they struggled to get up for the Europa League. With the return leg at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s [...]
Benitez’s Chelsea Predicament Emphasizes Testing Time for Managers of Premier League’s Top Clubs
When the news broke on Wednesday night that Rafael Benitez had angrily been ranting at Chelsea’s hierarchy and supporters, it brought to mind his infamous rebuke of Sir Alex Ferguson in January 2009. That earlier press conference outburst came at a time when Benitez’s Liverpool side was neck and neck with Manchester United in the [...]
Capital One Cup Final: Swansea Defeat Bradford 5-0 to Hint at Big Things to Come
After all the talk of history-makers and fairy tales, of Swansea City’s decade-long journey to the promised land and Bradford City’s fight for survival, there was always a risk of Sunday’s Capital One Cup final being a disappointment. Swansea comprehensively defeated Bradford to the tune of a 5-0 scoreline, yet it far from underwhelmed as [...]
Arsenal Get Ready for Potential Season-Defining Run of Games
Arsenal fans have for a while enjoyed celebrating a day they call St Totteningham’s Day. It is the point in the season when Tottenham Hotspur mathematically can no longer catch them in the league table. As has been the case more often than not of late, this season the Gunners will have to celebrate it [...]
Chelsea’s Lack of Motivation Could Make for More Cup Failures
It is not hard to imagine there were a few glum faces situated among the Chelsea contingent at their Prague hotel on Wednesday night, as they watched Real Madrid duke it out with Manchester United. Last season’s European champions have become used to such prestigious company in the Champions League. But, for the time being, [...]
Chelsea vs Wigan: Keys to Victory for the Blues against the Latics
With Tottenham Hotspur hot on their heels, Chelsea know a home victory over Wigan Athletic is vital if they want to stay in third place. With the Latics embattled in another fight for survival they could be potentially tricky opponents, especially given Chelsea’s recent woes. Here are three potential keys to victory for Chelsea as [...]
Is John Terry Still a Vital Part of the Chelsea Team?
Emanating out of Chelsea Football Club on Thursday was the surprising report (here via the Daily Mail) that Roman Abramovich had changed his mind about offering Frank Lampard a new contract. Not for the first time, the Russian has seemingly called a halt to his club’s shift away from the key pillars behind its recent [...]
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