Ryan O'Hanlon
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Writer, ESPN; author, NET GAINS: INSIDE THE BEAUTIFUL GAME’S ANALYTICS REVOLUTION (out now, link below)
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Articles by Ryan O'Hanlon
Messi, Lamine, Kane: ¿quién merece ganar el Balón de Oro?
No hay un favorito indiscutible para el Balón de Oro de este año, pero tal vez debería haberlo. Aquí te presentamos a quien realmente merece ganarlo ¿Quién ganará el Balón de Oro 2026? Probablemente será Harry Kane o Lamine Yamal, el de 33 años o el de 19. Stream LaLiga de España por ESPN Sigue la acción de con todos los partidos disponibles por ESPN+ y ESPN Deportes. Jornada 10 (destacados) Sábado 24 de octubre • Atlético Madrid vs. Deportivo, 3 p.m. ET Domingo 25 de octubre • Barcelona vs.
What I Wrote This Week (10/23)
I think more about the ways fans behave on the Internet than I should. In a way, I guess it helps prevent me from taking all of the angry messages I receive too seriously. Most of those messages come from people who think I’m an idiot because I didn’t rank Christian Pulisic above Michael Olise or because I said Dan Burn wasn’t good at passing. “Being a fan of a sports team” and “being rational about a sports team” are pretty much in direct contrast with each other.
Who deserves to win the Ballon d’Or? Messi, Yamal, Kane — or someone else?
There’s no consensus pick for this year’s Ballon d’Or — but maybe there should be. Here’s who actually deserves to win it.
Who will win the Ballon d'Or? Messi, Yamal, Kane -- or someone else?
It's probably going to be Harry Kane or Lamine Yamal -- the 33-year-old or the 19-year-old. At least, that's what the prediction markets are telling us: Kane currently has about a two-in-three chance of winning the men's Ballon d'Or, Yamal a 28% chance, and then the remaining percentage points get split among Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi This is a silly award.
Man City cheated because the Premier League’s rules gave them no other choice
The Premier League is unfair: Some teams are allowed to spend more than everyone else. So, of course Man City cheated to win.
Man City cheated because the Premier League’s rules gave them no other choice
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Man City cheated because Premier League was built to be unfair
Back in 1887, everyone was already playing soccer, or football, in England. The Premier League didn't exist -- nor did any other league. Instead, there was the Birmingham Cup, the Staffordshire Cup, the Lancashire Cup, the English Cup, the Welsh Cup, the FA Cup, and plenty of other tournaments that were seemingly being created at random every other day.
What I Wrote This Week (10/16)
As one does, I was considering the concept of the Subway “Sandwich Artist” the other day. I haven’t been inside of a Subway in over a decade, so I had no idea: was this still a thing? Turns out: yes, still a thing. Here’s how Subway describes the position: As a Sandwich Artist™ you will serve and add value to customer needs in an efficient and friendly manner. In this role you will promote Subway® brand awareness and ensure hygiene standards are met.
Ranked: Who are the best 50 players in the Premier League so far this season?
The Premier League Top 50 returns for the 2026-27 season to rank the best players across the league so far.
Ranked: Who are the best 50 players in the Premier League so far this season?
The Premier League Top 50 returns for the 2026-27 season to rank the best players across the league so far.
Premier League Top 50: Ranking the best players so far this season
Let's dig into the big question that's on everybody's mind: Who, uh, is the best player in the Premier League? While we wait for the league to issue its punishment to Manchester City for breaking 114 rules and cheating their way to a spend of $1 billion more than regulations allowed, the games still go on. Did you know Jordan Henderson scored twice last week? For Chelsea? Also: None of the promoted teams are in the relegation zone! Hull City are tied for seventh! Everton ... are tied for fourth?
Premier League Top 50: Ranking the best players so far this season
3 hours ago Beth Dobbin is so determined to raise awareness of the illness that has decimated her life that she is speaking out, despite knowing it could trigger a brutal deterioration in her health. Five years ago, she ran for Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics. Now, at 32, she spends more than 22 hours a day …
Man United fans must accept reality, which is both better and worse than they think
Man United fans go from thinking the team will win the Premier League to thinking the sky is falling. The truth is in the middle and it’s unlikely to shift.
Man United fans must accept reality, which is both better and worse than they think
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Man United could never contend for the Premier League title -- but they aren't so bad either
If you've followed Manchester United for the past 10 years or so, you know the story by now. It goes something like this. First, there's a bad season. The richest team in the Premier League somehow finishes too low to qualify for the Champions League. A previously beloved manager suddenly looks clueless. A bunch of highly paid, previously successful players barely look good enough to play in the Premier League, let alone for a team that wants to compete for every major trophy.
Man United could never contend for the Premier League title -- but they aren't so bad either
If you've followed Manchester United for the past 10 years or so, you know the story by now. It goes something like this. First, there's a bad season. The richest team in the Premier League somehow finishes too low to qualify for the Champions League. A previously beloved manager suddenly looks clueless. A bunch of highly paid, previously successful players barely look good enough to play in the Premier League, let alone for a team that wants to compete for every major trophy.
What I Wrote Last Week and This Week (10/9)
I’m back! Sorry I missed last week. I was in Wisconsin and away from my computer for a couple days. What a weird international break. Messi retired. Ronaldo, who is now in his 40s, threw another public tantrum. The good vibes are back with the USMNT. And the whole thing was so long that Arsenal’s title odds increased by at least 10 percent even though no Premier League team has played a game since September 20th. I think my readers are savvy enough to understand what happened.
Reranked: Have we found Arsenal’s fatal flaw? Why are Chelsea so bad?
Let’s rank all 20 Premier League teams again: making sense of Chelsea’s poor start.
Premier League reranked: Have we found Arsenal's fatal flaw?
What with the three-week-long international break and the Premier League 's announcement of the 114 guilty charges against Manchester City , you'd be forgiven if you forgot that we're actually in the middle of another Premier League season.
Mock draft: How would Premier League teams pick if Man City cheating scandal took a turn?
Now that Manchester City have been found to have cheated on a huge scale, anything is on the table — maybe even an American-style Premier League draft?
¿Enzo Fernández al Leeds, Haaland al Hull? Simulacro de draft si hay castigo al Manchester City
Casi una semana después de que la Premier League declarara a Manchester City culpable de 114 de los 115 cargos iniciales presentados contra el club, da la sensación de que estamos esperando para cruzar hacia un territorio completamente nuevo. El lenguaje utilizado en el informe censurado de la liga fue tan contundente que parece que cualquier castigo está sobre la mesa.
Mock draft: How would Premier League teams pick if Man City cheating scandal took a turn?
Now that Manchester City have been found to have cheated on a huge scale, anything is on the table — maybe even an American-style Premier League draft?
Mock draft: How would Premier League teams pick if Man City cheating scandal took a turn?
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Man City mock draft: How Premier League teams could pick in hypothetical punishment
Nearly a week after the Premier League found Manchester City guilty for 114 of the initial 115 charges brought against the club, it feels as if we're waiting to step across some new frontier. So damning was the language in the league's redacted report that it really feels as if any punishment is suddenly on the table. The extent to which Man City were found to have broken the rules is unprecedented, and so too will likely be the punishment.
¿Qué pasa cuando los técnicos estrella dirigen selecciones?
Klopp, Zidane y otros técnicos de élite buscan trasladar su éxito en clubes a las selecciones, pero no tienen garantías. A finales de la década pasada, estos eran los entrenadores por excelencia de las selecciones nacionales: Gregg Berhalter (Estados Unidos), Tite (Brasil), Gareth Southgate (Inglaterra), Didier Deschamps (Francia) y Jogi Löw (Alemania).
What happens when superstar club coaches take over national teams?
Pochettino with the U.S., Klopp with Germany, Tuchel with England and more: Are these famous coaches worth it for national teams?
What happens when superstar club coaches take over national teams?
Pochettino with the U.S., Klopp with Germany, Tuchel with England and more: Are these famous coaches worth it for national teams?
From the USMNT to Germany, why club coaches are taking over national teams
At the end of the previous decade, these were quintessential national team managers: Gregg Berhalter ( U.S. ), Tite ( Brazil ), Gareth Southgate ( England ), Didier Deschamps ( France ) and Jogi Low ( Germany Today, here's what we've got: Mauricio Pochettino (U.S.), Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil), Thomas Tuchel (England), Zinedine Zidane (France) and Jurgen Klopp (Germany).
Por qué USA debería entusiasmarse con Cavan Sullivan: 5 claves
¿Es exagerada la expectativa en torno al futuro de Cavan Sullivan en USA? No, de hecho es insuficiente; damos cinco razones por las que así es En la MLS está ocurriendo algo increíble en este momento, y el espectador promedio del Mundial 2026 probablemente no tenga ni idea. Stream LaLiga de España por ESPN Sigue la acción de con todos los partidos disponibles por ESPN+ y ESPN Deportes. Jornada 8 (destacados) Sábado 10 de octubre • Alavés vs. Atlético Madrid, 10:15 a.m. ET • Barcelona vs.
Five stats: Why USMNT should be excited about Cavan Sullivan
There's something incredible happening in MLS right now, and the average World Cup watcher probably has no clue. Seriously, think about all of the people you know who are "sports fans" but maybe not "soccer fans" -- the ones who root hard for the U.S. men's national team every four years and know the names of their four or five best players. Sure, they probably still can't pronounce the last name of manager Mauricio Pochettino, but they watched tons of soccer this summer.
It’s not hype: Why Cavan Sullivan is the best prospect the USMNT has ever had
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Five stats: Why USMNT should be excited about Cavan Sullivan
There's something incredible happening in MLS right now, and the average World Cup watcher probably has no clue. Seriously, think about all of the people you know who are "sports fans" but maybe not "soccer fans" -- the ones who root hard for the U.S. men's national team every four years and know the names of their four or five best players. Sure, they probably still can't pronounce the last name of manager Mauricio Pochettino, but they watched tons of soccer this summer.
What I Wrote This Week (9/25)
New words from me on the following: -Florian Wirtz: Does he stink? All of a sudden, a lot of people seem to think he stinks. -What is the state of the USMNT player pool? Everyone’s favorite basic, arbitary model is back with an answer ahead of the longest international break of all time. -The Saint. We’ve started a movie club, which means we … have people over to our house to watch movies. And I now fully believe this: The Saint is the single best movie to watch with other people.
Top 50 USMNT players, ranked by club performance: Which Americans are in hot form?
Who are the best Americans as the new World Cup cycle begins? We rank USMNT players on club form: ESPN’s Player Performance Index returns.
Ranked: Top 50 USMNT players in the world, based on club form
At the next World Cup, everyone is going to be old. I will be. You, probably, will be. And so will the three defining players from U.S. Soccer's most talented generation. Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie led the wave of young Americans who not only went to Europe as teenagers, but who almost immediately became key contributors for Champions League teams as teenagers.
Is it time to give up on Wirtz, or is he Liverpool’s superstar-in-progress?
Liverpool spent a then-club record fee to sign Florian Wirtz, but his low stats have many writing him off. Is it too soon, or should Liverpool move on?
Is it time for Liverpool to give up on Florian Wirtz already? Or is he a superstar-in-progress?
You can't defend him. He's the full package. He's world class. He loves to play. He's an outstanding technician. He's a huge asset with a carefree nature. He's mature of mind. He's one of the top players in the world.
What I Wrote This Week (9/18)
I’m going to Milwaukee in a couple weeks. Anyone have any good Milwaukee recs? -How secure is each Premier League manager’s job? -Since I’m not teaching this semester, I’ve graded the first month for all 20 Premier League clubs. -The Thin Blue Line. I’ve seen many other Errol Morrii but somehow not this one. Sure, it is somehow hypnotizing film noir and effective advocacy journalism — at the same time. But I need to know: how the hell did he get such good mood lighting for all of the prison interviews?
First-month grades for all 20 Premier League teams: From an A+ to F
Which Premier League teams are acing — or flunking — the season so far? Let’s grade every team!
First-month grades for all 20 Premier League teams: A+ to F
It feels like Ferran Torres was scoring the winning goal for Spain at the Meadowlands and Argentina 's Leandro Paredes was paying homage to Lawrence Taylor just yesterday. But guess what? The World Cup is over, and so is the first month of the Premier League season. We've already played more than 10% of the current season, and the 20 Premier League teams will chip off another 3-plus percent after this weekend's matches. A month, 10% -- those are both nice, round quantities.
First-month grades for all 20 Premier League teams: A+ to F
It feels like Ferran Torres was scoring the winning goal for Spain at the Meadowlands and Argentina's Leandro Paredes was paying homage to Lawrence Taylor just yesterday. But guess what? The World Cup is over, and so is the first month of the Premier League season. We've already played more than 10% of the current season, and the 20 Premier League teams will chip off another 3-plus percent after this weekend's matches. A month, 10% -- those are both nice, round quantities.
Lampard, De Zerbi, Arbeloa ¿Quién será el primer entrenador despedido en la Premier?
Aunque llevamos tiempo avanzando en esta dirección, el verano pasado marcó verdaderamente el inicio de una nueva era para los entrenadores de la Premier League. Con la creciente corporativización de las estructuras deportivas de los clubes, el entrenador todopoderoso que arma el plantel, supervisa los fichajes, corta el césped y decide hasta el color de los manteles del comedor está prácticamente extinguido. Que esto sea algo bueno o malo es discutible. Que esté ocurriendo, no.
Hot Seat Index: Which Premier League managers will be fired first? All 20 teams, ranked!
The Premier League is a constant carousel of coaches being fired and hired. Who’s safe and who’s on the chopping block? Let’s rank everyone!
Hot Seat Index: Which Premier League managers will be fired first? All 20 teams, ranked!
The Premier League is a constant carousel of coaches being fired and hired. Who’s safe and who’s on the chopping block? Let’s rank everyone!
All 20 Premier League teams ranked: Which managers fired first?
While we've been heading in this direction for a while, we truly entered a new era of Premier League managing this past summer. With the professionalization and corporatization of Premier League front offices, the all-powerful manager who picks the squad, scouts transfers, cuts the grass, and selects the color of the table linens in the canteen has nearly become extinct. Whether this is a good thing is up for debate. Whether this is actually happening is not.
What I Wrote This Week (9/11)
Remember Pig Latin? You don’t hear about Pig Latin much these days. Are kids still doing that? Here’s what I’ve written this week: -Did Premier League teams forget what wingers are actually supposed to do? -What the hell is going on with Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea? And here’s one thing I read: -The Odyssey, by Homer, translated by Robert Fitzgerald: decent little book! Enjoy your weekends, everyone.
Chelsea are out of control: Is this what new coach Xabi Alonso wants?
Chelsea are a team out of control under Xabi Alonso: Will it continue and, more importantly, will it keep working for them?
Chelsea are out of control: Is this what new coach Xabi Alonso wants?
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Chelsea under Xabi Alonso are unlike anything the Premier League has seen before
If Chelsea keep it up, they're headed for a successful season. Through new manager Xabi Alonso's first three matches, they have the fourth-most points in the Premier League -- only behind the trio of preseason title favorites: Arsenal, Manchester City, and, uh, Hull City. They're tied for the league lead in goals. With two wins from three, they're also on pace for a 76-point haul -- good enough for third or fourth place in each of the last three seasons.
Genius or scouting flaw? Why top Premier League clubs sign wingers who don’t score goals
After Messi and Ronaldo proved wingers can do more than cross the ball, why are Premier League clubs paying so much for so little production?
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