John Collins

27th September 2017. By Ryan Baldi.
What should have been a landmark moment in his career, a commendable leap of faith to join a foreign giant with the promise of regular Champions League football, ended up tuning into a nightmare for Ciro Immobile.

The Italian international striker, fresh of a Capocannoniere season with Torino, at 24, was one of the hottest properties in Europe in the summer of 2014. With an €18 million bid, Borussia Dortmund snared the promising striker, taking him to the Bundesliga and Signal Iduna Park, where he was to replace Robert Lewandowski, the prolific Polish striker who'd joined Bayern Munich on a free transfer.

Filling Lewandowski's boots was always going to be tough for Immobile, and the pressure of expectation, the move to a new league in a foreign country, all amounted to a serious weight on the young forward's shoulders.

25th September 2017. by Edward Stratmann.
With injuries meaning Danny Welbeck had been restricted to just 15 Premier League starts for Arsenal in the last two seasons, it was brilliant to see him begin the 2017/2018 campaign fully fit and firing.

Actually being able to enjoy a preseason has undoubtedly been hugely beneficial for him, something he duly noted after his impressive brace vs. Bournemouth. "The past two years I didn't have a preseason and that made it a bit difficult for me,'' he explained.

"I'm pleased to have a preseason. With some of the games that we've played at the start of the season it's not gone too well, but I'm pleased to be on the score sheet and long may it continue."

Arsene Wenger then made a point of praising the determined English international in the aftermath of the aforementioned win over the Cherries, asserting: "He gets stronger and stronger. Let's not forget that he was out for a long time. He's a team player, Danny Welbeck,

22nd September 2017. By Edward Stratmann.
Replacing Benjamin Mendy, who became the world's most expensive defender when he joined Manchester City for €56 million, was never going to be easy for AS Monaco. But in the form of young Brazilian fullback, Jorge, they've done so rather seamlessly, as the 21-year-old has stepped up and filled the void with aplomb.

Joining in January from Flamengo for €8.5m, the diminutive left back had to bide his time during the second half of the season behind Mendy, having to be content with just 90 minutes of playing time. Since Mendy's summer departure, however, the once capped Brazil international has grasped his opportunities with both hands, as he's enjoyed a superb start to the new term. His most recent outing for the Monegasques' vs. Strasbourg provided yet another glowing testament to his quality.

Recent Performances for Monaco

20th September 2017. By Ryan Baldi.
Denis Suárez is a confident and ambitious young man. He returned to Barcelona last summer having left the Catalan giants' B team in 2014 first on loan to Sevilla, then permanently to Villarreal in search of regular first-team football.

A full international with Spain, the young midfielder impressed with the Yellow Submarine, convincing Barça to exercise their buyback option on the player, re-signing him for just €3.5million. Suárez didn't go back to the Camp Nou to merely make up the numbers, however; he returned because he believed he could fight his way into the starting XI and stay there.

"I left always having the idea of returning," Suárez said upon being unveiled as a Barcelona player for the second time.

"I am fulfilling a dream -- to play for the best team in the world, which is Barça. I will give everything for this team. I want to thank the president, the board, and Robert [Fernández, the club's sporting director],

18th September 2017. By Edward Stratmann.
When AS Roma announced the signing of Rick Karsdorp from Feyenoord in a deal worth an initial €14 million, excitement had to be tempered due to the knee injury he was suffering.

After initially damaging his knee on international duty for Holland back in April, an ailment he played through by using injections at the back end of last season, Roma's medical team discovered he'd require arthroscopic surgery on a small lesion on his anterior meniscus to clear up the problem and alleviate Karsdorp from any future pain.

While the operation in July was a success, the Dutchman's rehabilitation ensured he'd be on the sidelines for a decent amount of time. It was hoped he'd be available for Roma's season opener in August against Atalanta. However, it quickly became apparent he'd need a little longer to recover.

Rick Karsdrop

5th September 2017. By Edward Stratmann.
Despite losing their fantastic manager, Eduardo Berizzo, in the summer, who chose to fill the vacancy left by Jorge Sampaoli at Sevilla, the project at Celta Vigo still looks like one full of excitement.

Bringing in Luis Enrique's assistant during his time at the helm of Barcelona in Juan Carlos Unzue as manager, plus a slew of fascinating new signings, the Galician outfit have moved forward in an ambitious manner. The captures of Stanislav Lobotka from Nordsjaelland, Maximiliano Gomez from Defensor and permanently acquiring Jozabed Sanchez from Fulham were all tidy additions, but with transfer deadline day fast approaching, the club still had some business left to do.

Snapping up Emre Mor from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth a reasonable €13 million was a sterling way to compliment their squad and end their window. Wanting more game time and with new BVB coach, Peter Bosz, not seeing him as an indispensable member of his

25th August 2017. By Edward Stratmann.
When Aleksandar Kolarov ended his successful seven year association with Manchester City, where he won two Premier League titles, two league cups and an FA Cup, to join AS Roma, his decision was met with disgust by the Lazio fans who labelled their former star a traitor and a worm.

Upon deciding to join Roma, he must have known the Lazio supporters that used to cheer him on wouldn't be happy, but instead of calming the situation, his comments on the move only added fuel to the fire. "I cannot, and do not want to, deny my past. But now I am with Roma and just as I gave 100 per cent when I was at Lazio I will now give 100 per cent and more for Roma," he proclaimed.

"Lazio was a good experience for me, but from today they are my rivals on the pitch. My aim is always to win. I will give 100 per cent to win every game and try and

10th August 2017. By Edward Stratmann.
Radamel Falcao marked his 50th Ligue 1 appearance in fine style by putting in a lively shift throughout AS Monaco's league opening 3-2 win vs. Toulouse. Moreover, his wonderfully taken headed goal impressively saw him notch up his 33rd strike in his 40 starts and 10 substitute appearances in France too, a figure that's especially admirable due to his battles with injury.

Having now scored 22 goals in the last 30 matches for the Monegasques, the 31-year-old is certainly showing no signs of slowing down. From the outset, the Colombian hitman was a persistent nuisance to the Toulouse backline, and his direct opponent, Christopher Julien, in particular, bore the brunt of his fine exertions.

Starting with his thoughtful movement, Falcao used his aptitude in this regard to find space in between the Toulouse midfield and defensive line, where he then used his strength and technical skills to hold up the ball and find a teammate with

7th August 2017. By Edward Stratmann.
Speculation about the future of AS Monaco's teenage sensation, Kylian Mbappe, has been relentless this transfer window.

Following his magnificent 2016/2017 campaign, where he blasted home a superb 26 goals in all competitions on his way to being a formidable element of Monaco's Ligue 1 title winning side, who also reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, he's been linked with basically all of Europe's elite.

The likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, to name a few, have all courted the youngster, even if his price tag would be in the region of a staggering £180 million. Monaco's vice-president Vadim Vasilyev did, however, suggest the prize asset is a decent chance to remain in the principality too. "Mbappe will make the right decision. He has never expressed a wish to leave us," he said.

"We are, however, in conversation with him and contrary to what you may have seen, it is

4th August 2017. By Edward Stratmann.
Everything seems to be falling into place nicely for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign.

Knowing he needed reinforcements to his squad after his first season, the club's hierarchy have duly obliged his wishes, as Man City Premier League have spent a mouthwatering £220 million on new signings. Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy and Danilo have vitally strengthened and added some much needed dynamism to their fullback ranks, with the aging Bacary Sagna, Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov all moving on.

Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva's arrival for £42.5 million following his overwhelmingly successful time at AS Monaco sees them acquire a player of immense quality, creativity and intelligence. Although he's only just returned from a well deserved break after a busy summer with