Miralem Pjanić has been Europe's best player so far this season

There hasn’t been a better player in Europe this season than Miralem Pjanić.

That’s according to the well-respected football data provider iSports API, who have crunched the numbers and reveal just who has been performing the best across the continent’s top five leagues.

Pjanić comes out on top, just ahead of Inter’s Stefano Sensi and Atalanta forward Papu Gómez.

The Juventus playmaker has played nine times in all competitions so far for Maurizio Sarri’s men, scoring twice and assisting a further two more,as per iSports API data.

There’s no Premier League representation on the list, but there is a place for two Real Madrid players and two more from Paris Saint-Germain.

Olivier Giroud must seize his chance with France given his limited minutes at Chelsea

When Olivier Giroud arrived on Monday to the France national team's headquarters at Clairefontaine, an hour south of Paris, it wouldn't be surprising if he took a deep breath of fresh air.

He was back in familiar territory, a place he knows so well and feels at home.

He was also welcoming a break from his daily routine at Chelsea, which has been rough so far this season. Last weekend, he was not in the Blues' matchday squad in their win at Southampton. Chelsea manager Frank Lampard only wanted one striker on the bench with Tammy Abraham in the starting lineup, going with Michy Batshuayi and leaving Giroud back in London.

That's not to say that Giroud is unhappy at Chelsea. He likes the club, the fans and the vibe in the dressing room, but he also wants to play. He needs to play. And so far, he has not played enough: only three games in the Premier League (one start) for a total of a mere 101 minutes, according to iSports API football data. Add that to his 17 minutes in Champions League group stage play so far, and you get the picture.

France striker Olivier Giroud is struggling for time at Chelsea. If Giroud is to factor for France at the 2020 Euros, he'll need more game time at the club, and as you'd expect, he is ready to fight for it. He had a discussion with Lampard recently, who assured him that he was counting on Giroud and that he would have his chance.

When Giroud did play earlier in the season, he made the most of it. He started and scored in the UEFA Super Cup loss against Liverpool in August. He also had convincing performances in the first 45 minutes against Leicester before being subbed off. He was also solid off the bench against Norwich. Now he's waiting for another opportunity to impress his club manager.

A few days ago, he celebrated his 33rd birthday, and as he is getting older, he is also getting wiser. He doesn't want to panic yet, there is no need for it. But ahead of France's upcoming Euro qualifying matches against Iceland and Turkey, manager Didier Deschamps has expressed his concern over Giroud's situation.

"I am worried. I don't take away what Olivier has achieved with us. His recent performances were very good. He is the third-best scorer with the national team. But I wish his situation would change. Above his efficiency, it is also about his rhythm. He already had times before where he was not playing much. But at the moment, it is not enough, fitness-wise. He cannot be at his best," Deschamps said on Monday.

But Deschamps knows Giroud inside-out. He knows he can rely on him and that he will not give up.

It is reminiscent of what happened at the start of the 2017-18 campaign when Giroud was still at Arsenal. Behind Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, he was third choice and he had to leave in January. He went across town in search for more playing time to ensure his spot on the 2018 World Cup squad.

The move worked well for him and for Les Bleus. Even though he didn't score in Russia, Giroud featured in seven matches as France secured their second World Cup trophy.

Could the same happen in January 2020? It is a possibility, but there is still a long way to go before the transfer window opens anew. For now, Giroud wants to show Lampard that he deserves to play more, that he can score goals for Chelsea and bring something different to the team. All of Giroud's career has been defined by such adversity and the need to prove people wrong. This is nothing new to him. It is just a new chapter and he's used to it.

On Friday in Reykjavik, Giroud will start up front alongside Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann. As per iSports API football data, it will be his 94th cap for Les Bleus and he will be looking for his 36th international goal. It will do him a lot of good to play a big part of the game. There is also a very strong chance that he will then start again against Turkey next week at the Stade de France. Starting two games in a row has been so rare this season that it would be great for him to shine at this point in time.

The international break can be tiring for some players, but for Giroud, it represents a breath of fresh air. Hopefully, it'll give him a lot more confidence and momentum before going back to the grind at Chelsea and fighting for his place.

All football data collected from iSports API.

Do You Know What is The longest unbeaten runs in Premier League history?

Liverpool’s current run of form is up there with the longest unbeaten runs in the Premier League era.

Following their late winner against Leicester City on Saturday, Liverpool continued their club-record unbeaten streak under Jurgen Klopp. Goals from Sadio Mane and 95th minute penalty from James Milner at Anfield stretched the run to 25 games, not only the Reds’ longest run without defeat in the Premier League era, but also the sixth-longest of any top-flight club in that period.

The Merseyside outfit are quickly catching up on records set by some of the greatest English teams of all-time, and if they were to climb further up the list it would cement their place among the best teams we’ve seen in recent history. The kicker here is that every team on this list won the league in the same campaign they embarked on their unbeaten streaks – except for Liverpool.

Is this the season they change that particular unwanted statistic?

The 3 longest unbeaten runs in the Premier League era, according to iSports API.

3. Man City – 30, Streak: April 8, 2017 – January 2, 2018

The side that everyone thought would emulate the Invincibles lost for the first time 22 matches into the 2017/18 campaign. The 4-3 defeat to Liverpool did nothing to derail their title charge however, as they enjoyed a procession on their way to becoming the first team to reach 100 Premier League points in a single season.

The result did reveal some chinks in the seemingly flawless Man City armour and foreshadowed the challenge the Reds would pose to Pep Guardiola’s team in the coming years.

2. Chelsea – 40, Streak: 16 October 2004 – 6 November 2005

1. Arsenal – 49, Streak: 7 May 2003 – 24 October 2004

And way out in front, it’s none other than The Invincibles, who became just the second team in the history of English football to go an entire league season undefeated, Preston North End in 1888/89 being the other.

Arsenal‘s run went beyond just a season though, refusing to lose for a whopping 49 games. Arsene Wenger’s side were stopped just short of the half-century however, by none other than their arch-nemesis, Man United.

That 2004 fixture was the scene of the infamous Battle of the Buffet, in which Alex Ferguson was splattered with a slice of pizza by Cesc Fabregas. The defeat had deeper repercussions for the Gunners though, who could never quite reach the same heights thereafter.

All football data collected from iSports API. For more information, please visit iSportsAPI.com

Barcelona confirm fresh muscular injury for Ousmane Dembélé

No sooner had Ousmane Dembélé returned to the Barcelona first team picture and he has been sidelined again. The Frenchman has played in just 2 LaLiga fixtures this season, one of many attackers at the club to have been plagued by injury, as per iSports.

But he appeared to be in line for his comeback after being included in the matchday squad for Saturday afternoon’s trip to Getafe.

Barcelona won 2-0 but did so without Dembélé and the club have now confirmed that he has sustained yet another thigh injury.

Tests on the player on Saturday night confirmed an issue with his left thigh and the club did not offer a timetable for his return.

The 22-year-old seems all but certain to miss the Blaugrana’s midweek Champions League clash with Inter.

Although he joined Barça just two years ago from Borussia Dortmund, it is already the 7th different injury since that move, according to iSports API data. 6 of those have been muscle-related for the frustrating France international, who faces a familiar spell on the sidelines.

It's 15 years since Wayne Rooney's jaw-dropping Man United debut

It's exactly 15 years since an 18-year-old Wayne Rooney made his extraordinary Manchester United debut.

After breaking through as a 16-year-old at Everton, Sir Alex Ferguson decided to pay a then-record amount for a teenager of £25m, according to iSports API data.

Many deemed it far too much for a player so young – it took Rooney all of 54 minutes to make it look like pocket change.

Playing Fenebahçe in the Champions League, the young forward started alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy and netted an incredible hat-trick in a 6-2 victory.

The top ten flying starts by summer signings across Europe

With summer signings now having had some time to adapt to their new surroundings we pick out the ten to have started strongest for their new clubs in Europe's top five leagues. A minimum of four league starts has been set as a requirement, all data as per iSports API.

10. Joan Jordan (Sevilla)

Already proving to be a shrewd acquisition for LaLiga rivals Eibar, Jordan's all action displays have already won over the Sevilla fans. The 25-year-old midfielder has scored twice in his first five league appearances, completed 89.4 per cent of his passes, nine dribbles and created nine chances.

9. Enock Kwateng (Bordeaux)

Signed on a free transfer from Ligue 1 counterparts Nantes, Kwateng has impressed from a defensive standpoint and registered an assist on his debut at Dijon. The right-back has won four tackles per 90 minutes while winning 15 of 18 aerial duels.

8. Nabil Fekir (Real Betis)

Long on the radar of some of England's top clubs, when Betis snared Fekir over the summer for a modest fee there were plenty of eyebrows raised. He's made a strong start to life in Spain, scoring twice in five appearances while completing the most dribbles (21) and drawing the most fouls (23) in that time.

7. Martin Odegaard (Real Sociedad)

Another move considered something of a coup over the summer, while Sociedad may have only signed Odegaard on loan from Real Madrid they are already reaping the benefits. The young Norwegian is second in the dribbles chart in Spain to Fekir (16), has scored twice and created 11 chances in five appearances.

6. Sebastien Haller (West Ham)

Already having displayed all the attributes for which he became renowned in the Bundesliga at Eintracht Frankfurt, Haller has been an instant hit with Hammers fans. The club's record signing has scored three league goals in five appearances and held up play, winning the second most aerial duels per game (6.8) in the Premier League.

5. Zack Steffen

While some may have viewed Manchester City's move for Zack Steffen as a marketing opportunity, the US international has excelled since leaving for Duesseldorf on loan. Were it not for the 24-year-old the Bundesliga outfit would have shipped far more goals than the nine that they have in five appearances, with the American having produced 14 more saves (33) than any other keeper in Germany's top-flight.

4. Stefano Sensi (Inter)

While Sensi's quality had been evident at Sassuolo, earning the midfielder international recognition, the blistering start he has made at Inter has been alarming. Under the guidance of Antonio Conte he has been given more freedom in attack and rewarded his new coach with two goals and an assist already for Serie A's league leaders.

3. Victor Osimhen (Lille)

Speaking of blistering starts, few could have predicted the immediacy of the impact that 20-year-old Osimhen would have at Lille. With the club desperately needing to replace the goals lost following Nicolas Pepe's departure, the youn Nigerian has stepped up and led the line superbly. He has six goals to his name in seven league appearances - all of which have come at home - and has won the second most aerial duels (37) in France.

2. Rodri (Manchester City)

They may have had to break their club record transfer fee to sign the Spaniard but Rodri has taken to the Premier League with the ease most expected. The 23-year-old has a fine goal to his name already, has won 3.4 tackles per 90 minutes, 18 of 21 aerial duels and completed 92.3 per cent of his passes.

1. Islam Slimani (Monaco)

With three goals and and assist in just four Ligue 1 appearances, Slimani has put frustrating spells at Leicester, Newcastle and Fenerbahce behind him. Attempting to rebuild his career and reputation with Monaco, the Algerian has been a huge threat in every sense in France, firing off 18 shots, creating nine chances and winning 20 aerial duels.

Sandro Tonali: Pirlo's heir ready for Europe's elite

The only downside to great footballers is the gap they leave when they retire.

Andrea Pirlo said goodbye to the beautiful game last year, though his international career ended in 2015. Since then, Italy have struggled in his absence, desperately seeking his replacement.

While Jorginho’s methodical passing skills are helping to fill the void, Sandro Tonali has emerged as the natural long-term successor.

At just 18 years of age, he has established himself as a key player in Italy’s second tier with Brescia. Ironically, that’s exactly how Pirlo’s career took off.

The likenesses don’t end there, which is why many of Europe’s top teams – including Chelsea, Liverpool, Juventus, Inter and Roma – are reportedly monitoring the promising creator’s progress.

What with the global scouting networks and never-ending resources today’s super-clubs enjoy, it’s a wonder how Tonali has stayed under the radar for so long.

However, with the January transfer window open, there is a high chance his talents will no longer be visible only to those hardened calcio fans who follow Serie B.
Who is Sandro Tonali?

Born in Lodi, Tonali spent time with Piacenza before joining Brescia’s youth system. Originally a second striker, he was moved deeper by his academy coaches. Yet, in spite of the Pirlo-esque positional adjustment, he continued to score goals at a remarkable rate, bagging 11 in 24 outings at under-17 level in 2016/17, as per iSports API data.

Eventually making his senior bow for the club in August 2017 against Avellino, he went on to become a regular member of the first team last season, making 19 appearances. Along the way, he set up and scored two goals apiece, operating predominantly in defensive midfield.



After a breakout campaign at club level, Tonali played a vital role in Italy’s run to the final of the 2018 European Under-19 Championship in Finland.

Having helped his national side, which also featured Moise Kean and Nicolo Zaniolo, beyond the host nation and France, the only defeat ultimately came in the final to Portugal. For his efforts, the midfield prospect was named in the team of the tournament.

The good form has been carried into this season, where he has played in every single one of Brescia’s nine league games, assisting three goals in the process.

And, in further good news, his development has been aided by the club’s managerial appointment of Eugenio Corini, himself a gifted playmaker in his playing days.

What are Tonali’s strengths?

As well as the Brescia link and the career-changing alteration of position, Tonali reminds many of Pirlo for his physical resemblance. As well as his long, black hair, he is a slow mover with a calm exterior who rarely looks troubled even when under direct pressure.

But beyond these rather trivial similarities, he also has similar tactical and technical qualities to the former Milan and Juventus legend, the most obvious of which is the range and accuracy of his passing.

As a creative No.6, he is able to identify and find teammates in almost any area of the pitch with impressive vision and consistent execution. This ability translates well to set pieces, where he can be found curling right-footed crosses into the penalty box from corner and free kick situations.

Tonali isn’t just a showman, however. While he can perform the spectacular stuff, he is also a noticeably intelligent player for his age.

Not only does he roam to find space, but he is comfortable receiving with his back to goal and combining with centre-backs to enhance build-up. On top of that, he is able to provoke and resist pressure, utilising immaculate control to hold off defenders.

What are Tonali’s weaknesses?

It could be argued that Tonali’s specificity is a weakness. Brescia’s possession game is essentially built around him being allowed to pull the strings from the base of midfield, which partly explains his appearance in Serie B’s top 25 players for long passes per 90 minutes. Not all sides, particularly at the highest level, could afford to deploy him in such a role.

His lack of real pace and physicality may also be a concern should opponents target him through man marking or attentive pressing, though this could also free up teammates. Pirlo suffered from similar targeting during his career but it didn’t stop his ascendancy to the highest echelons of the Italian game.

Perhaps the most important aspect for Tonali to work on is his decision-making. The 7.94 long balls per 90 he attempts is a numerical indication of something visible to the naked eye when watching him – sometimes he tries too hard to force the line-breaking or game-changing pass,  according to iSports API.

To prevent unnecessary giveaways in a sport increasingly dominated by decisive transitions, he may need to keep it simple more often.
Will a move happen?

After one-and-a-half seasons building a portfolio of wonderful passes in Serie B, January 2019 may be the time for Tonali to make the step up.

Brescia have been out of Italy’s top flight for many years and have shown a willingness to sell their best talent in recent times, so long as the right deal is in place.

The youngster’s agent, Roberto La Florio, spoke fairly openly about his client’s prospects in an interview with Calciomercato. “I expect and hope to see him in Serie A, I think youngsters should be sold at the right time because you never know what will happen in football,” he said.

“I’m convinced that even at a top club he could adapt in a few months, but you need to find the right moment… I’d say it’d take €15-17m, maybe up to €20m to budge (Brescia president Massimo) Cellino.”

There is no rush for a transfer to take place considering Tonali is under contract to Brescia until 2021. But if Europe’s best do come in for him with a serious offer, it would be hard for them to turn it down. And, if and when such a move transpires, expect the Pirlo comparisons to ramp up.