#even when that mf has real talent and potential

[kotaromita]

look man i know you didn't say anything but I can see your face. Doubting stuff again?

Look, man. You guys got here together. You went from being fucking cordnukio to actively helping everyone and contributing to reaching your shared goal. Honestly if they did leave you behind right now it'd speak more of them being willing to use people. Regardless, I don't think they would have put on the same event without you. You did great back there!

I—Ah, um—Am I really that easy to read? Tch, what am I saying, yeah, I should already know at this point that I am.

I...No, I-I know there's no way those guys were just using me. I was the one who shoehorned myself into the plan in the first place and I was the one to come crawling back and beg to join again after stuff fell apart. I know it wouldn't have been as good of an event as it was if even one of us was missing from it, and I know I did the best I've ever done, but, I just—!

...What if that's it? Tono and Miyata are teaming up again as gurney flap and EVER is getting back on track with their music careers too. I'm not gonna stop, definitely not, I don't want to fall behind everyone again, but, I...what if I've peaked? What if this is as high as I can reach? What if I can't make a name for myself if it isn't by clinging onto everyone else?

I just...I...I should come up with a back-up plan or something, right? I...fuck, I don't know, God. God, I hate being this anxious, it's so stupid, I—fuck! Ignore me! I'm just anxious and I don't want to be alone, but we'll definitely stand on the same stage again!

I...don't want to be alone.

[averagef1fansblog]

My tierlist.

1. My GOAT is the reason I started watching F1.

2. I started to believe in Oscar Piastri's WDC potential. I see the vision of op81 fans and am right there with them.

3. Valtteri is such a cool guy; I have always liked him since his days at Williams, especially James, and this is Valtteri thing.

Esteban is such a nice guy that there is nothing to dislike, at least off track.

Yuki; My fellow of the same height, a person of colour, is coming to F1, and you think I am not supporting him? I am right there.

Guanyu fashion is 🤌🏽 - However, his driving skills are lacking, which is unfortunate.

I believed in the Charles WDC potential talks in 2019 and 2020; Ferrari has fucked him over numerous times, but Charles, when is your villain era coming? It should have happened in 2022. Both he and Ferrari fumbled.

4. I tolerate all of the people in this tier, and my opinion of them is largely based on their relationship with Lewis.

5. Lance Stroll, I used to root for you, my fellow Canadian, but some shady things he had done, such as pushing his trainer, made me dislike him.

Carlos is here because the Spanish media treats him as if he is on the same level as Charles, despite the fact that the talent gap is greater than most people realize. Anyone who is liked by the Spanish media, I am the polar opposite.

Daniel "It is all noise and distractions." PRicciardo, I am not moved by his bubble and smiley guy persona.

Alex "They race me too hard" or "it is just karma" (when discussing AD2021) Albon. Carlos will reveal your mediocrity in 2025, and Franco is already doing so.

Alonso, where do I start? First and foremost, his entire incident with Spanish gp blackface in 2007, which he chose to ignore when it was his countrymen doing it, and calling Lewis a clown for dressing however he wants. He is a talented driver, however, and there is a reason he has won 2x WDC.

6. Max has his own category solely for the AD2021 thing (i don’t blame him fuck masi), which I understand is a sport but I just do not like, as well as the whole defeding Nelson Piquet thing. I like his honesty in some things, like how he just says what he thinks, but Max, you will never have a fan in me, but I can respect you are a talented mf.

7. The British media, his fans, and even some members of Team LH believe he is all that. He threw away so many wins after Miami that they are dismissing it as nothing; imagine if Lewis, Max, or Charles were doing that. They would be crucified, but little Lando Norris cannot handle the pressure. This man reignited my haterism for sports; I had not hated anyone since 2022, when Real Madrid won the Champions League. If he wins a championship before Leclerc, with a car faster than anyone since Canada or Spain, I will not be moved. Took 6 seasons for him to finally win races.

- That is all. Franco would probably go in the “i like you” category because he is my fellow TeamLH guy.

[kkat-astrophic]

DR VA Tierlist:

I made a Daganronpa Tierlist based on their Voice Actors performance, (THIS IS NOT MY OFFICIAL RANKING FOR THE CHARACTERS AND NOT HATING TOWARDS THE VOICE ACTORS AT ALL!!!) this is probably quite biased, and I haven't finished V3 so I don't have too much to say about that game! :)

SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT!

Here we go! (quick notes bc alot of characters)

I COUNTED WRONG THERE ARE ONLY 50 BUT I'M NOT BOTHERED TO CHANGE THE NUMBERS SORRY GUYS.

Did not hear you talk once blud:

51: Twogami: did not hear him talk once. Probs same as Togami.

50. Mechamaru: Same as last but with Nekomaru.

49. Kiyondo: Augh bb they gave you nothing before killing you off...

48. Rantaro: Not many voice lines, but his voice is satisfying when they are delivered. Ult. Wasted Plot Potential.

Nothing too noticeable:

47. Peko: I love her, but tbh her voice was quite bleh. Suited her character well though.

46. Sonia: I love Sonia but she was kinda mid tbh.

45. Keebo: Nothing much other than "ROBOPHOBIC!" but that might change I'm not sure.

44. Chiaki: I love her, her voice suited her, but there were no powerful lines.

43. Akane: I love her sm, one of the best DR girls, but she didn't have much going tbh.

42. Hifumi: I like how his VA portrayed the otaku thing e.g "booblust" which was funny, but honestly nothing noticeable.

Overrated:

41. Sakura: I like her, she's okay, I just don't think she did too much yk?

40. Toko: When she stutters she sounds like that one mf from "It" and that kills me every time I hear it.

39. Makoto: I dislike Makoto anyway, but saying "SHIT!" once is not a worthy performance Bryce.

38. Kyoko: Eh, her VA is good, but didn't do it for me ig

Wait I just realised I forgot to put Mukuro in the last section oopsies. And Junko should be in decent performance, mb guys don't come at me.

37. Mukuro: LOOK THIS IS WHERE SHE'S SUPPOSED TO BE OKAY? Cool concept, good lines from what we heard, meant to put her in "didn't hear blud talk once"

36. Byakuya: Cool VA, nice delivery of the lines, I just think it's overrated.

Didn't Cut it For Me:

35. Yasuhiro: He was in 6 trials... and what did he give me? "OH NOOOOOO" sorry, he didn't cut it for me.

34. Chihiro: I like him (her, them? UGHH CHIHIRO GENDER DISCOURSE SUCKS BRO) but it didn't GIVE yk?

Decent Performance:

33. Ryoma: Very talented VA, but that's his normal range (a bit lower) and not many POWERFUL lines were delivered (unlike Tanaka's.)

32. Kazuichi (bc I alr did Mukuro): Ay I love Kazuichi, his performance was nice, just not the best yk?

31. Tsumugi: Haven't finished V3, I love Tsumugi but her performance is like her catchphrase. Just "Plainly-Plain" (might change later idk bro.)

30. Maki: I've grown to like her, (I'm up tp CHP.4 yippers!) but I'm WAITING for her to have her MOMENT where she's crying and screaming. I know she will. C'mon DR LET HER CRYYY-

29. Mahiru: She's decent, I like her, just not much giving yk?

28. Ibuki: Very talented VA, amazing and fun range, nice energy. Nothing jaw dropping, I enjoyed it.

27. Hajime: He drops some banger ass lines bro like goddam lil bro chillax buddy. I quite like it... I like when he realises it's Nanami and is in denial. Good job VA.

26. Mondo: AUGH HIS VOICE IS SO SATISFYING IMMA BE REAL- It's not the usual stuff his VA does but I enjoyed his performance.

25. Gonta: Ay better performance than his counter-part (same va) Hiro. He's pretty good so far, innocent too.

24. Aoi: I don't really remember trial 4 that well tbh... I didn't like it though. But I do kinda enjoy Aoi. She has nice pitch, and when she gets mad her VA puts alot into it, almost top of her tier gj.

23. Same VA as Aoi, I enjoy her performance. Her voice is fun and different, contrasting the rest of the cast with her accent. Bonus points for going from Aoi to Angie in 5 seconds.

NOT TALKED ABOUT ENOUGH!!!

22. Teruteru: Augh I love this stupid litte man for his stupid little voice. Even though he's a creep his lines are delivered VERY well, and even his accent is great. That's some talent that we NEED to talk about more often.

21. Sayaka: Babes talked three times in official-art moments and does NOT get enough credit. I enjoyed her scenes and wish that she was in a class trial.

20. Leon: Omg leosaya order?! /hj. Y'all sleeping on Grant George, like goddam. When he gets mad, he gets mad. Talk about Leon more, give this man some credit his performance was excellent!

19. Miu: Augh I don't know how to explain the itch Miu scratches whenever she speaks. Even her "VIRGIN WHORE" moment voice lines just AUGHHH. The VA was picked SO well here, it suits her perfectly and I'm tired of pretending Miu = Hifumi because they're both pervy characters. GODDAMIT MIU WAS USEFUL!

18. Hiyoko: I do not care what you say, she ATE. She fucking devoured that second trial bro, my respect went up when she did all'at. God bro I find Hiyoko mid, one of my least favourite characters, but god her VA is so talented.

17. Shuichi: I don't think I need to explain too much, but god SHUICHI!!! When Grant George is given the time to develop... augh. "Kaede... that's just so cruel..." YOU CAN HEAR THE PAIN. TALK ABOUT THIS MAN MORE!!!

16. Jill/Syo: I know she has tiktok sounds, but she did so well. She ate every single line up, she used all of her screentime so well! I genuinely love her performance, and I don't even like her!

15. Tenko: So talented... you guys please hear me out (I'M NOT BIASED AT ALL.) but when she gets official art and moments in trials that's when she flourishes. "QUICK! OPEN THE CURTAIN, ALREADY!" like so satisfying Idc what y'all say she ate it up.

14. Himiko: After Chapter 2 she just... utilised the rest of her screentime. SHE CRIED, SHE SCREAMED, SHE USED HER EMOTIONS LIKE TENKO SAID!!! I love Himiko, and she is super underrated.

13. KOREKIYO: <- THIS DUDE IS THE REASON I MADE THIS TIER LIST. GOD HE IS NOT TALKED ABOUT ENOUGH!!! I don't care about the incest plot, his FANTASTIC voice acting lets him off the hook.Not just when he snaps, but when he screams!

Listen to this exact moment. HE LITERALLY USES SO MUCH OF HIS VOICE, YOU CAN HEAR HOW WELL HE DOES IT OH MY GOD. "THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE WAS THERE, SHUICHI?!" LIKE PLEASE CAN WE TALK ABOUT HIM???

He can also speak like a girl he gets bonus points for that. Holy shit. I just love this so much. "No. I will not acknowledge it." like yes bbg u ate.

*Chefs kiss!*

11. (I KNOW I SKIPPED A NUMBER I JUST NEED IT TO BE CORRECT!!!) Nagito: He goes insane, there's no reason for me NOT to put this here. He does so well, he went from Mako-Hoe to NAGI-HOEEE!!! He ate, I fear.

10. Mikan: WHEN SHE SNAPS AND GOES INSANE, OH MY GOD SHIVERS. SHE DID SO WELL. "WHY DOESN'T ANYBODY FORGIVE ME?!?!!?!?" LIKE I CAN HEAR IT SO CLEARLY SHE DID SO GOOD BRO AUGHHHH.

9. Nekomaru: "THIS IS NEKOMARU NIDAI'S FINAL FIREWORK!" "AIR CONDITIONERS?!?!?!?" "SHIIIIIIIITTTTTT!!!" He put so much power and energy into every. single. line. EVEN HIS SINGLE-FILE VOICE LINES!!! He made it sound so natural like he talks like that every day, and props to the VA for such dedication. Respect for Neko-Nation.

8. Gundham: Augh he delivers every line so beautifully in his trial. "THIS IS FOR THE TANAKA EMPIRE!" the power behind his voice and his hero-complex make me so happy. Every time he lost it in his trial I got LITERAL CHILLS. A fantastic perfect performance oh my goddd.

7. Kaede: I don't care what y'all say she WAS SO GOOD. "I'm nothing but a cold-blooded killer!" and that scream at the end of argument anament was FIREEE! I love her sm, and her VA did so much better as Kaede then as Kyoko.

6. Celestia: I dislike Celestia, but oh my god she did so well. The quiet reserved character snaps is definetely a chapter 3 trope favourite. I hate Trail and Chapter 3 THH, but that just shows how well Celes performed, her VA went INSANE for this role, and I love that she ate it.

5. Kokichi: He deserves this spot, he does so well, every single trial, every single performance, every voice line, every interaction. It truly embodies the spirit of "chaos" yk? (Just finished trial 4 and he deserves to be 3rd on the list.)

4. Kaito: LUMINARY OF THE STARS! I don't need to say more do I? (I'm lazy pls send helppp)

YOU POURED YOUR HEART AND SOUL INTO THIS PERFORMANCE!!!:

3. Fuyuhiko: AUGH SO SATISFYING, ESPECIALLY IN THE SECOND TRIAL. He does an amazing job, has fantastic range and AUGHHHHH HIS VOICE IS SO SATISFYING.

2. Ishimaru: The amount of sheer power in every voice line astounds me every time he speaks. From "I assert that the one who was murdered was Miss Sayaka Maizono!" to "Why are you all trying to frame him?!" and everything in between, he deserves this spot on the list.

Kirumi: All we see of her is calm and reserved until she snaps. She KEEP FIGHTING until the very end. You can hear the pain in her voice, how she IS BREACHING HER LIMIT during her "I WILL NOT DIEEEE segment." also, YOU CAN HEAR HER SCREAMING IN HER EXECUTION, let me show you.

This exact moment is where you can hear her scream. JESUS CHRIST GIRL I CAN'T EVEN-

[pettyprocrastination]

for the love of god please give us some austin powers!whiskey headcanons o queen of au's 😔we're just sluts for ur content

My mf babe boo lee validating this dumb au that i love so fucking much aksksks i have like two hours before all the thanksgiving stuff happens so if anybody wants to send me whiskey shit for this au DO IT!!!

warnings: uhh talk of sex and porn, foul language. theres zero organization or skill put into these i just threw ‘em out there lmao

So the general consensus of this au for those who dont know, is an austin powers au. Yes i said that. 

Jack “whiskey” Daniels is an statesmen from the 70’s who is hailed as a legend for all the lives hes saved and ploys for global terrorism he’d stopped. In his prime, he was cryogenically frozen until the statesmen would need him at a later date (reasoning behind this is vague, even whiskey himself doesnt remember why. He get flashes of distant memories and emotions around it all, but they're gone as soon as they come.)

Cut to modern time, you’re scotch. One of the best agents who’s known for getting the job done with little to no issues, but not known to be a socializer. You are tasked as agent whiskey’s new partner as he is unfrozen and helping him adapt to the new world. 

Now lets get into the fun stuff

With adapting to the new world, you had to teach whiskey about the internet and my god was that tiring. 

He still doesn't get the point of dating apps. “I don’t need a little device to help me get laid, i do just fine with my charms and southern hospitality.” you're pretty sure he only says that because he cant figure out how the fuck to use tinder but you let it go. 

Whiskey hates porn. Like DESPISES it. This is something he decided to tell you with an “urgent” phone call at three in the fucking morning. 

“She’s faking! Thayer all faking!! What’s the point if she doesn’t enjoy it? It’s all a lie! This poor woman looks like she’s in pain!! They’ve made sex a production!! What has this world come to!?!”

You hang up and go back to sleep. 

But yeah whiskey hates it. It’s all fake and over the top and just...not what he thinks sex should be. 

To him sex isn’t a production or a race. It’s a celebration of attraction between consenting adults.  

He enjoys the ametur made stuff, where there’s legitimate attraction between those involved

This doesn't mean he’s vanilla in anyway, he just hates that porn isnt really...sex. Its not mutual pleasure, its all jarring categories, fake moaning and very sexist foundation. 

Once he finds the animal video part of the internet? Oh he’s as good as gone. He thin begins to send you links to videos' showcasing friendships between unlikely pairs, such as a sea lion and a horse, or a monkey and a ferret. You don’t tell him that you watch them all late at night when you cant sleep.

He fucking loves nature documentaries. Especially deep sea ones, focusing on fish that light up or are see-through and shit like that. 

If you watch them with him you admit its...kind of adorable. Like seeing a kid all wide-eyed at the aquarium. 

“You know what’d make this really interesting??”

“We aren’t doing lsd while watching blue planet, stop asking me that.”

He’s done drugs, like, a lot back in the day. Statesmen is stricter now, with regular mandatory drug tests so whiskey cant go out, partying like a madman and taking whatever he pleases. 

Whiskey is bisexual . As is basically everybody i write so when you tell him same sex marriage is legal in all 50 states he legit tears up. 

“Never thought I’d live to see the day.” hes so overjoyed at the news. He knows there's still a long way to go but seeing that, something he’d only dreamed and fantasize about while drawing shapes on the chest of his lover? Oh it makes his heart soar. 

Whiskey is a man with brazen sexuality but of course aware of boundaries. First day you met him you turned down his advances, he accepted this and then decided to latch on as your best friend AND wingman! :D

You cannot escape this fate you're stuck with him now. 

Anytime you go out to a bar he scouts for potential suitors. “How about the blonde at the counter, they're your style!” and before you can tell him NO he’s already swaggering over and chatting you up to them. 

Whiskey, although you hate to say it, is a charming man. Hes kind and suave and will sing the praises of somebody hed only just met and have them melting in a puddle right in front of him. It’s annoying really. You have to listen to all the women at work swoon over him and talk about how youre soooo lucky to be working with him. He must be such a dream in the field. What's it like?

You plainly tell them that the other day you saw him get stuck in a revolving door and he asked for your help.

To get out

Of a door. 

You will NEVER admit this to him but when you were a green agent?? Just starting out?? You had a major crush on the legendary agent whiskey. You’d only seen the photos and heard the stories but god you thought he was amazing. 

Then you became a skilled agent yourself (perhaps also talented with a whip and lasso) and finally met the man himself when he was unfrozen. 

Whiskey calls you “little filly” and will make jokes about how you need to respect your elders. You know since he’s technically like 89 years old lmao. 

Whiskey hates that women gotta shave, he thinks you should do it if you want but the societal pressure of it? He hates it. 

And lets be real, he’s a man of the 70’s so he fucking worships bush. (the pussy not the president) (i have a lot of thoughts on this)

He can and will go down for hours on end, almost selfish with it because he gets as much pleasure from it as you. Pressing kisses and nips on your thighs, mumbling praise against you, homeboy gets straight up pussy drunk and doesn’t know how to speak coherent sentences anymore. 

He’s a cuddler. Even before you started dating he was just very affectionate and touchy. You once had to sleep together for warmth on a mission where you were stuck in the middle of nowhere during winter and he nuzzled and cuddled you all night long with a dazed smile. (he’s also your own personal space heater so that’s nice)

You thought you were over the hype and worship of agent whiskey,and you are, but when you get to know him as a friend and not an agent. As Jack, the fool who cuddles and tries to pair you up and sings out of key while cooking? God help you, your heart starts beating when you see his dimples and big goofy smile and all you can think is. “Oh fuck.”

anyways i reall y love this au and have many thoughts please sedn requests or hcs or anything you want me to expand on <3

[presskmewleroux]

My Prediction for the USWNT Olympic Roster

I’ve been spending a lot of time just thinking about the Olympics and hoping it still happens. Assuming it does, this would be my USWNT roster based on experience and recent performances. Those in parentheses are my pick for the alternate position.

GK (2) : Alyssa Naeher, Ashlyn Harris (Jane Campbell).

DF (6): Kelley O’Hara, Abby Dahlkemper, Becky Sauerbrunn, Crystal Dunn, Ali Krieger, Emily Sonnett (Tierna Davidson)

MF (6): Lindsey Horan, Sam Mewis, Rose Lavelle, Julie Ertz, Catarina Macario, Kristie Mewis (Andi Sullivan)

FW (4): Christen Press, Tobin Heath, Alex Morgan, Lynn Williams (Megan Rapinoe)

For the goalkeepers, Alyssa is obviously locked in. I’m not the biggest fan of Ash, but based on her international experience, right now I would put her as the #2. Between Jane and Aubrey Bledsoe being the alternate I would give it to Jane because of her experience as well. I just don’t see either of them getting the 2nd roster spot over Ash unless either of them play in the She Believes Cup and/or the friendlies in the months leading up to the Olympics. Their performances in the NWSL have been great, but without proper international experience, we don’t know how well they would do against some of the top teams. But hey, anything can happen. 

For the defenders, I think the entire starting backline from the 2019 World Cup is a guarantee. I picked Krieger and Sonnett as the other two because of their experience and how Vlatko seems to favor them out of some of the other defenders. If you’re trying to win gold, I think you go with them because of those reasons and how they could easily play outside back or center back if they needed to. I’d choose Tierna as the alternate because while she has been great, she has a problem with injuries so I wouldn’t give her an actual roster spot. It was between her or Midge Purce, but I don’t think Midge has proved herself on the international level yet. She needs significant minutes in the She Believes Cup and the friendlies before the Olympics in order for me to be sure about her. Like Jane and Aubrey, she is excellent in the NWSL, but so far her only international experience has been between not-so-great teams. She’s forward minded which is great as a defender (let’s be real, the forward pool is so deep that if she wants playing time in a roster that has Press, Alex and Tobin, then she needs to play as a defender), but you already have 4 outside backs with O’Hara, Dunn, Krieger and Sonnett. You don’t need a 5th.

For the midfielders, like the defenders, it is pretty much the core four from the 2019 World Cup. I think by now Horan, Ertz, Lavelle and Sam Mewis are all locked in. The two other midfielders I would take are Catarina Macario and Kristie Mewis. Vlatko seems dead set on Macario (as he should!) and her talent is obvious. For Kristie, I think her previous international experience plus with the way she’s played in the recent friendlies and for the Houston Dash in 2020 gets her the 6th midfielder roster spot. Andi Sullivan gets the alternate spot for the same reason Tierna gets the alternate spot for defender. Andi is a great player, but she’s had trouble with injuries lately. She only played one game for the US and it was for Olympic Qualifying. Still, I think she wins the alternate spot against the other midfielders on the bubble.

Now for Forwards, I think Alex, Christen and Tobin are an obvious lock in. You can argue whether Alex deserves it, but I’m positive she’ll get significant minutes during the She Believes Cup and the friendlies that follow it. Lynn is another one you can argue about, but I think Vlatko seems dead set on keeping her. The reason why she plays so many minutes even if she blows a lot of chances and can’t seem to put away a goal when she should is because she needs the consistency and the chance to prove she can perform on the highest level. Compared to the other forwards that could fight for the roster spot (Mal Pugh, Sophia Smith, Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd) it seems like Lynn is the most likely to secure it. Now for the alternate spot, I think it is between Pinoe and Carli. I don’t feel like either deserve an actual roster spot (although I would still take Pinoe over Carli). I also think Pinoe and Lynn could potentially swap places, so maybe Pinoe gets the actual roster spot and Lynn is the alternate. That one is really just a toss up, but we’ll have to see the way they play in the She Believes Cup and other friendlies. 

Obviously all of their performances in the NWSL will either help or worsen their chances of securing a roster spot, so we’ll have to see how that goes. Assuming everyone I named for the roster stays healthy, I feel confident enough to bet that this would be the final Olympic roster. The only thing I’m worried about is that Carli may secure a roster spot just based on her name, but I’m not sure if Vlatko is that dumb or not. If the Olympics don’t happen, I still want Vlatko to release a list of who he would’ve selected for the roster or else the curiosity will kill me.

[alphabetsoupyum]

What instruments the haikyuu! Boys would play.

Ok ok hear me out, as a horn player, i was like HMMMM what would the haikyuu boys play if they were in band and so yes i definitely did NOT write this at 2am on a school night👁👄👁

Yamaguchi-MF WOULD PLAY CLARINET AND HES DAMN GOOD AT IT TOO, BABY IS SECTION LEADER AND THE BAND DIRECTOR USES HIM TO HELP TUNE THE BAND. Also made second chair in all state, the only reason he didnt make first was bc of nerves!

Tsukki- horn player. Hes especially good at low horn but hes not like the best in the section?? Hes got a natural talent for it but bc he lowkey doesnt care he doesnt make that much progress as a player :/ deadass only joined band bc yams begged him to, idc what yall think tsukki SIMPS for yams😐😐🙄

Tanaka and Noya- Mfs would be trombone players. Girl do i need to say more, they come in a SET!! DO NOT SEPARATE!! the funniest ppl in their section which is saying a lot bc...trombone players☠☠☠ theyre also surprisingly dedicated??? Catch them practicing after-school. Yes they both made all-state :-)

Daichi-trumpet player. He's def section leader and this mans tone is c r i s p, like absolutely scrumptious!! Also drum major during marching band szn >:)

Sugawara-flute player, also section leader. No hate to his section but manz back is hurting bc he CARRIES it. Yes he gets all the solos. His section cant even complain bc hes that good. Bby boy made FIRST CHAIR ALL STATE! He also later goes on to pursue a degree in music performance, fight me on this. Tried out for drum major but didnt get it bc the band director said "his section needed him". Also woodwind captain!

Hinata- percussion all the way babyyy! Sometimes he comes in on the wrong time bc he gets distracted easily and the band director gets heated but yk he'll get over it. Bass drum is his specialty and hes damn good at it! Has so much potential!!

Kenma- clarinet player, second chair, his blend with yams? i m m a c u l a t e. Hardly says a word but mans plays LOUDLY,but like in a good way.

Kuroo-trumpet player,second chair,i take him as the type to blast sometimes but he makes up for it in being a scary good trumpet player. Hes *almost* as good as daichi, this results in a friendly rivalry between the two, their personalities clash in the best way though.

Bokuto-Bari Sax. Musical prodigy i stg. Also section leader of low brass section (duh) By his ridiculously energetic nature you wouldnt peg him as a bari-sax player but give him some sheet music and manz fingers will be on fire w how quickly his fingers are moving on that bari. His tone is thick and smooth and perfect. Ended up going to JUILLIARD BITCH!! Also drum major! Him and daichi are a force to be reckoned with during marching band szn, yes they win first place in the drum major categories, EVERY TIME. They sync up like you wouldnt believE

Kageyama-sax section leader. Another prodigy, mf practices day and NIGHT. Literally goes to music camps and takes private lessons like bby boy is dedicated. Hes real silent though, and it can be offputting, until his section realizes it just bc *no thots, head empty* yes he made FIRST CHAIR allstate

👁👄👁

Asahi- trombone player, fourth chair and his range is insane?? Incredibly dedicated and the freshman look up to him bc hes not only kind but also super willing to help the section out anyway he can when the section leaders busy!!

Ennoshita- horn player tee hee. Section leader, the most well rounded player in the section, his tone is thick (just like him ;) also brass capt. Bc babyboy is that good. He majors in music later on in college!

Kinnoshita-euphonium, second chair, hes an incredibly proficient sight reader and player, probs the most well rounded in his section, also made honor band!

[floralkittygambler]

Reposting for reasons

Response to Honest’s post here: Doing this to spread this awareness more as I know theres a bit of a rift in the critical community - plus I really fucking go on. Im PISSED and I do apologise however it NEEDS urgent addressing. I know people will hate me for it but Im used to hate and honestly? Hating rather than helping to solve the issue only furthers my fucking point here. So yeah this is so more people are aware (no offense to any of those involved in said rift either, but this is an important message. Thank you for understanding and if I can do anything to make all sides comfortable, then please message me and I’ll do my upmost.) “ More awareness of this is needed. Even if it’s your favourite, you can’t justify their shit but rally against another’s shit. Have people tell you you’re experiences arent real or invalid because, like Husk, people have - in real life - shipped you with someone you are far from comfortable with but you still treat them like a person. Because you have basic respect. And people force you to accept harassment, touching, stalking, advances for THEIR satisfaction. People use you for their fantasies. But you’re just a ‘tsundere’ for it. Or you have addiction issues but people think being with another addict will ‘save’ you because you’re apparently too incompetent to save yourself. Love isnt some magic fuckin cure so stop romanticising it as a fuckin saviour. It’s gross and fuckin creepy. Get stalked and have someone NEVER accept your no just because you show youre still decent enough to not treat them shitty or any different from anyone else. Try having someone way older or way younger (both in morally fucked up ways) advance on you and people encourage that. People you’re supposed to feel safe around.

People touch you when you pull away or show discomfort. Follow you home. Have pictures of you and wont accept you dont like them like that and it’s not ‘playing hard to get’ or ‘the thrill of the chase’. Fuck. OFF. In fact, Im not only disappointed in the fandom. Im disappointed in the entire team who some should know better from their OWN personal experiences - or at least the bare minimal of being a fucking adult. Im disappointed in especially females (sorry idk whether girl or woman is more appropriate here-) who statistically are more likely to have experienced something similar at some point in their lives think this is a cute gay moment. No. Angel is made out as a fucking predator - Im not saying he is, Im saying that his persistence is very fucking unwelcome like one. People like Husk dont need that fucking invasiveness. They/We need patience and someone on our level. Angel’s I know are the fuckin polar opposite - and some of them I know are very sexually harassing, including unwanted touching. It’s a shitty way to present gay people. Gays are fuckin people. Some are cunts and some arent. It’s a HUMAN thing. But considering the shit theyve been subjected to, presenting a gay as a victim only to also show them as a perpetrator is insulting! And for those Ive seen argue this about how people like AD wouldnt know how to express their love normally and whatnot? His pig. His best friend. He’s in his fucking 30s. There are literal real life criminals who get molested as kids and then go on to molest kids. Not all who grow up like that turn into nonces. Stop just fucking STOP justifying and romanticising this bullshit! I used to see the good in AD but now he makes me fucking sick. Especially with my verrrrrry fucking real traumas and connections. But fuck me, eh? Because this fictional guy matters so much more. Fuck real victims. And whilst we’re at it, fuck AD too when it suits your fetishes! Sarcasm aside, the fans and the team need to straighten up their abhorrent behaviour. Stolas. Fucking clearly having an affair, knowingly fucking up his daughter’s mental health and bribing a guy into sex who only wants the book and nothing more. He even has a fucking warning button over Stolas- Guys, how do you think any of this is cute? Even the team gross me out- I genuinely see potential and talent and it’s all gone to shit to satisfy horny teens, horny adults, and literally everyone who doesnt for the life of them understand being an adult is more than sex, drugs, violence and swears! I REALLY want to keep enjoying HB/HH but it’s getting harder and harder with such ignorant and bordering lazy creators (note: lazy as in wont do the fucking research or actually listen to real criticism and victims), such despicable fans (yeah, some HDers fuckin mocked that they triggered my ED, yet they had the fucking NERVE to support Angel’s potential ED AND laugh and blame me for me getting treated so badly for actually having the balls to call Angel and the teams hypocrisy. I got told to kill myself, that my problems arent real - oh but Angels apparently is! Which... They *are* but AD isnt real so technically only onlookers will suffer and not a drawing  - and they just excused their toxic behaviours. These people are like “aww poor angie babey!” yet fuckin INSULT sex workers. All this red in Hazbin yet it feels everyone and they mama colour blind. The issues are getting worse and fans are outright becoming EVIL, VILE, Vindictive little bullies - from kids to adults. You SHOULD be ashamed of yourself if you conduct yourself in such a manner. And you need to readjust your attitudes and behaviours because the only fuckers getting hurt are actual fucking victims. Ever been violated and been gaslit so much you STILL fucking question it’s reality? So you drown that shit out yet somehow it’s effects still hit you? Fetishise it. Make it your uwu gae couple goals, you’re no better than people believing Harley and the Joker werent toxic af. If this shit happened to you, most of you would actually SEE where we’re all coming from. Also, stop making gay a fetish - you’re like those creepy old men in the alley heckling lesbians to make out so they can wank off. Gays, no ALL the LGBT+ are fucking people too. So dont give me that bullshit then start turning everything just gay or just straight to mentally wank off to. It’s degrading and dehumanising. And yes, fiction does effect reality. You crush on a fictional character? Mourn one? Support one? Hell, fuckin jerk off to one - that’s affecting reality. Remember how in fiction all blacks were treated as villians? Look how theyre treated IRL. JAWS, great classic unfortunately their was a spike in shark killings over a fucking movie - the shark in the movie wasnt even real for the most part because they dont behave like that! (Also the animatronic was so shit they genuinely had so many issues - I think they even took to naming each one! Some fun trivia there!). Tiger sharks are more nasty than great whites as tiger sharks will hunt and eat a human. Great whites prefer seals and dislike human flesh, they just mistake us for seals. Hell, theres the toothless basking shark - theyre often SWAM WITH by divers for being so friendly. Yet Jaws made people think all sharks are bloodlusting over humans. Slenderman was created for a fucking contest and that influenced a stabbing (NOT Victor’s fault). Watch a horror movie that isnt based on a real life event and tell me that at least ONE has left you peaking over your shoulder. Stella may be a bitch - we dont know for certain - but try getting cheated on. Y’know what? Try growing up in such a broken home like Octavia. Yeah reaaaaaal fucking cute now, huh? Funny how as well y’all petition for male victims to be taken seriously then laugh when fictional males experience this abuse, further adding to stigma. You can be hit on by the hottest mf on the planet but if you arent interested, that should be respected! Also we’ve all been inspired by at least one fictional character so yeah. Yknow, since I was little Ive been fighting for sex worker and homeless rights. But HH/HB treatment of both leave a bitter taste in my mouth. I’ll still fully support sex workers and the homeless, but that’s the fucking effect this show is having. Bearing in mind I wont ever share everything Ive been through - and I shouldnt fucking have to in order to be believed and validated (obvs proof is required in a legal case but that’s a whole other topic). Why should I share MY fucking pain especially when you fuckers have belittled and triggered it more so? We have our rights to our secrets but fuck ME you lot NEED to start acting appropriately and like decent fucking humans. ‘iTs HeLl’ yeah and welcome to Earth- the team and yourselves live HERE. You obide by THESE rules. And as someone with beliefs (and a LOT of ancient fucking texts and studies on this shit) their Hell isnt even a proper Hell! It’s closer to purgatory and even then it’s not. Regardless, it’s a poorly built world with the lore consistently changing per episode and tweet, with many plot holes, and is apparently easy to get into - even via accidentally watching porn according to a stream. If youre gonna parade youre a fucking expert and research into demonology and use real believed figures, at least get THAT right. In fact, Lucifer and Lilith (and Stolas tbf) are ESPECIALLY risky as theyre a lot more complex than most easy access texts will tell you. Likewise, Stolas’s first introduction and main focus is sex. He’s one of the FEW Goetia demons that dont have some involvement in relationship issues at ALL. He’s known for astrology, crystals and herbs but hes also known to aid MONEY troubles (it’s lesser known but it’s true! HB Stolas is an insult to the Prince). Turning Vodou into something evil is vile considering it’s powerful and liberated slaves. Pentagrams are nothing to do with Satan, they’re magic based sigils. Upside down cross is the symbol of a SAINT. It’s just some edgy attempt to trick people into believing they know more than they do. Also you should NEVER dabble and doodle sigils without knowing the meanings or respecting what they behold. Vox and Val, real fuckin cute way to make them look like a stupid fucking highschool drama instead of a fucking SEX TRAFFICKER (note: real pimps often target YOUNG folks too - aka minors - and groom them into sex work. Theres different types of pimp. Viv has shown barely any understanding of ‘the game’ and its a fucking insult to injury. Yes we KNOW what a fucking pimp and prozzie are! We dont need to see it. We need REAL AWARENESS.) and a fucking scheming bastard of a CEO salesman botman. And yet even THEN lets go a step further and make some yandere wuv on boyfweind aboose! Fuck off- Now I love a good anime but these tropes are getting fucking dangerous now. And unrealistic to real love and relationships. Kids nowadays know fuck all on a healthy relationship (neither did the fuckin 50s tbf) and Im seeing more romaticism and glorifying abusive situations. Like the show ‘You’. Ok, there’s a fuckin bloke online who slaughtered innocents and kidnapped yet people commented how cute he is on his IG and that they want to be kidnapped or killed by him next. Dont believe me? Look up Peter Manfredonia Connecticut and the comments people left him and then tell me why shit like whats being presented in HH/HB ISNT fucking concerning - because it is. For a series about redemption, it’s brilliant at the opposite (Quote from the creator herself, Viv has posted that it’s influencing her bad choices. Even as a joke, proof’s in the pudding). And the overall focus on sex in the way Viv does is so immature and really creepy, and this is from an ADULTS perspective. From one adult to another, Im concerned as to why any of them think this is a normal fixation. Then again they’ve hired quite a large amount of dodgy folks and even a child. Most of this shit gets avoided with a basic background check like most companies run. I DO like Hazbin. Or the premise. I love some of the cast and spite the others. In Helluva, I just like a tiny portion of the cast. And I critique it so harshly because Viv DOES need a wakeup slap, grounding to reality, people who arent going to big her up or kiss her arse for once and shape her up to be the best she can be. The actually reach and even surpass her potential. And to reach where you need to be, there’s a lot of harsh lessons youll face. That’s life. Shes chosen one of the most HEARTLESS industries and if she blocks out critique as ‘hate’ then she’s not strong enough and wont last. It’s just another unprepped YanDev again (except I dont believe Viv to be a nonce. Even with her dodgy past and dodgy present, I think her perspective on sex and relationship with sexuality is FAR from healthy BUT I dont believe she’s a pedophile. Ive bled my fair share and so far, I just think her sex perspective isnt healthy or mature for her age. But there’s little to nothing to suggest actual noncery - dont worry about accusations there. But YanDev is totally a dirty predator. Just clearing that up). Viv NEEDS some harshness and stability if she wants to do things right. And it’ll make her fucking cry but if she loves these projects as much as she claims to, then you’ll sacrifice blood, sweat and tears for that shit. Even the strongest points are mediocre at best when properly observed. She CAN do more, but she’ll have to face the harsh music. Viv wont see this, but if she does, I dont care if it upsets her. Why? Because this is that much of an issue - something she’s cultivated - that she needs to take action and not ignore it or be secretive about it. She needs to grow up and get tougher skin. Im not saying this to cause her pain. In fact, I wouldnt waste my fucking limited time if I DIDNT care. Trust me, I have duties to be met at a certain quota every single day. I say this shit only because I give a shit and care. If we met, she’d fucking hate me. But people like me are good for shaping people up to their potential. And we arent always this ‘tough love’ either. But when someone needs that level of harshness to help themselves, we’re not afraid to lose people or cause upset if the results end up being the best for them. If she ever saw this, she needs to re fucking evaluate her message, her story, and those she’s choosing to welcome into her circle. And all Im seeing is one rookie mistake after the other. Her paid patreon discord. Just like the messages Honest has posted on her side of being harassed (not in Vivs fyi), Ive experienced shit and bullying and even stay silent on their for being attacked for a group I fuckin paid to be in and yet I feel isolated. It’s all arsekissing and ‘thank you viv’ (thats an actual channel-) and it feels like a place of borderline worship and people trying to appease her 24/7 whilst kicking others with different opinions down. There’s so many I love but I aint kissin yer fuckin arse. Ask the closest friend I have - we’re fucking raw and wont just side with each other just because. We’ll call each other out if we think they’ve fucked up and then help each other build themselves up better. Because real fuckin people who actually care wont just want to be adored by you. They’ll care enough to point out your bullshit and help you, even if they upset you at the time. They’re real and upfront with you. People like us arent always the easiest to be close to either because we arent afraid of upsetting someone if it’s in their best interest and to help them. Likewise, we dont go out looking for fights either. Most times, we’re fuckin soft bastards- All this shit listed is the fuckin surface level of the real life hell of this fandom. And unsurprisingly, those who experience little to no toxicity have always been higher on that popularity ‘food chain’ - enough admirers and shared opinions that people wanna arse kiss regardless of their OWN feelings as well as neutral perspectives. I’d say you’re the lucky fans, but you’re not. You’re sheltered, and that isnt always the best way to be sadly. As for the fans. If Ive upset you. Well... I dont care. Because many of you have actively sought me out and weaponised my traumas against me. You never cared about my feelings then. Why should I care about yours? Im not doing this out of malice. Im fed up of humans behaving so pathetically yet claiming to be high and mighty. Most of you have been arseholes to those in and out of the community. The victims and non-victims alike. Hardly any of you considered once my real suffering. You put a drawing over a life. Many lives. You had the audacity to tell me Im full of shit. Some even using my real traumas to make a mockery of me and those Im around with a very similar history. Some with traumatic histories that differ from my own. You hardly ever considered the real lives of those effected. So no, Im not sorry for having the fucking balls to this day to still stand up for our rights and give us a voice that’s long been stolen. Im not sorry for being a fucking victim. Im not sorry for saying what desperately NEEDS voicing. And Im not sorry for not conforming to you or any fandom just to belong. We deserve better than to constantly be your fuckin arse monkeys (well... the trope is butt monkey but yknow-) and to be mistreated, misrepresented and harmed by you. You’re no different to the school bullies who give speeches on anti-bullying day. And I hope every single one of you starts looking into yourselves and improving. PS: Depending on the texts you read, Lucifer is said to have been redeemed or to be redeemed. Fun fact to haunt yalls with~ “

[asfeedin]

Mbappe, Sancho, Alexander-Arnold lead soccer’s 36 best players age 21 or under

Editor’s note: With the past four Ballon d’Or winners — Lionel Messi, Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo (twice) — all over the age of 30 at the time of their victory, and other would-be winners such as Antoine Griezmann, Neymar and Eden Hazard well on the way to veteran status, there has never been a better time for the next generation to take over. So step forward, Kylian Mbappe, Jadon Sancho, Trent Alexander-Arnold and others!

For the second straight year (read the 2019 edition here), ESPN brings you the game’s next generation. Some of tomorrow’s stars have already made their mark on the big stage — you might remember what Mbappe did to help France win the World Cup two years ago — but all of them have one thing in common: They are the top talents aged 21 or under. So who makes the grade, what are their particular qualities and how can they get even better?

Compiling this year’s list is Tor-Kristian Karlsen, who has worked as a scout and executive for clubs across Europe, including Monaco, Zenit and Watford. He explains his methodology, before revealing the list.

Why 36?

From an initial “long list” of 75 players, those remaining are the ones who satisfied my two main criteria: appearances at the highest level and confirmed performance level over a sustained period. Chelsea’s Reece James, for example, was a contender, but the 20-year-old has made only 12 Premier League starts.

Meanwhile, only the absolute top players born in 2002, such as Ansu Fati and Eduardo Camavinga, were considered, whereas exceptional 2003-born talents — Rayan Cherki and Jude Bellingham among them — were noted for future reference.

What types of research were undertaken?

I used a sounding board consisting of professional scouts and sporting directors from several top European clubs before compiling the final ranking, as well as online scouting platforms such as WyScout and InStat. Personal preference also played a significant role.

Is there a reason that attacking players dominate the list?

In general, forwards get more playing time at a younger age than, say, central defenders, who tend to need more time to develop tactical awareness, positioning and understanding of the game. Beyond those who did make it, other defenders considered included Dan-Axel Zagadou, Boubacar Kamara, Jules Kounde, Ozan Kabak and Ibrahima Konate.

Notes: – Players included must be age 21 or under on May 1. The top 10 have been ranked, with the rest listed in alphabetical order. – With uncertainty about the coronavirus‘ effect on the transfer market, valuations are based on the writer’s pre-COVID-19 estimations.

– ESPN FC on YouTube: Tor-Kristian Karlsen talks to Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens – Stream ESPN FC TV, 30 for 30 soccer stories on ESPN+ (U.S.)

Presenting the best players on planet football, age 21 or under ESPN

Jump to: The top 10 | Aouar | Alexander-Arnold | Camavinga | David | Davies | De Ligt | Donnarumma | Fati | Felix | Foden | Greenwood | Guendouzi | Haaland | Hakimi | Havertz | Hudson-Odoi | Isak | Kulusevski | Malen | Martinelli | Mbappe | Mount | Odegaard | Osimhen | Pulisic | Rice | Rodrygo | Saka | Sancho | Soumare | Tonali | Torres | Upamecano | Valverde | Vinicius | Zaniolo

The top 10

play

1:28

Tor-Kristian Karlsen explains why Joao Felix is amongst the top ten players under 21.

10. Joao Felix (FW; Atletico Madrid / Portugal) Age: 20 Estimated transfer value: €95m

In terms of culture changes, going from a free-flowing Benfica side to the tactical discipline instilled by Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid is about as stark as it gets in European football. So it is no surprise that Felix got off to a slow start after arriving in Spain last year, with four goals and one assist in La Liga. However, the talent that saw him cost €126m has not gone away, and he remains a top prospect.

Strengths: As a second striker, he erupts in creativity when on the ball, and when dropping deeper, he is an inventive playmaker. Although Cristiano Ronaldo comparisons are premature and imprecise, it would be a surprise if Felix did not establish himself as a leading performer at the top level. His refined touch excites fans, who also appreciate his fluid, intelligent movements, as well as his dangerous shot and finishing abilities.

How he can improve: Even though his undisputed talent is on show in patches during every game, as with many young talents the search for consistency is his main challenge.

– Kundert: Meet ‘new Ronaldo’ Joao Felix

Federico Valverde won the Silver Ball at the 2017 Under-20 World Cup. Xaume Olleros/Getty Images

9. Federico Valverde (MF; Real Madrid / Uruguay) Age: 21 Estimated transfer value: €75m

Valverde arrived in Madrid at age 18 and played for the club’s B-team before going on loan to Deportivo for a season that ended in relegation. More disappointment followed when he missed Uruguay’s 2018 World Cup squad, but since then he has established himself for club and country. With Luka Modric in the twilight of his career and Toni Kroos very much a veteran himself, Valverde is set to run Madrid’s midfield for the foreseeable future.

Strengths: Not only does Valverde possess the technical ability and passing skills to seamlessly slot into one of the world’s best midfield units, but he also has the pace and agility to escape crowds and the determination to pose a goal threat. In addition, a tenacity and whatever-it-takes attitude — as shown by his sending off in the Spanish Supercopa final — gives his game an edge. Potentially one of the world’s top box-to-box midfielders.

How he can improve: Poor decision-making and youthful enthusiasm can tempt him to try audacious attacking runs with the ball, when a more experienced player would keep possession and build from the back.

– Marsden: Valverde decisive as Madrid hold off Atletico

play

2:07

Tor-Kristian Karlsen explains why Erling Haaland still has room for improvement despite his fine form.

8. Erling Haaland (FW; Borussia Dortmund / Norway) Age: 19 Estimated transfer value: €90m

This time last year, Haaland was known best as the son of former Premier League midfielder Alfie and had barely featured for Red Bull Salzburg. Many goals later — he scored nine in one game at the Under-20 World Cup — he is a star striker for Borussia Dortmund, who signed him in January after activating his €20m buyout clause, and is already being linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United.

Dan Thomas is joined by Craig Burley, Shaka Hislop and a host of other guests every day as football plots a path through the coronavirus crisis. Stream on ESPN+ (U.S. only).

Strengths: Haaland plays the centre-forward role with intensity, chasing every ball and showing great speed over medium and long distances. He is very strong and possesses a powerful shot with his left foot. His finishing skills are impressive, too, and give him an end product in front of goal that belies his age.

How he can improve: At 6-foot-4 and over 190 pounds, Haaland should pose a greater aerial threat — in 11 games for Dortmund, he has not scored a header — while there is also room for improvement in his hold-up game. If he progresses in those areas and can deal with mounting expectation and non-scoring spells, he could become the most dominant centre-forward of the next decade.

– Karlsen: How Haaland became soccer’s most-wanted teenager

Gianluigi Donnarumma was just 17 years and 189 days old when he made his Italy debut in 2017. Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

7. Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK; Milan / Italy) Age: 21 Estimated transfer value: €60m

While outfield players might expect to get chances to play in their late teens, the specialized nature of their position means opportunities can be harder to come by for goalkeepers. As such, the fact that Donnarumma debuted for Milan at 16 and has since played more than 200 times for club and country, where he inherited icon Gigi Buffon’s position, shows just how good he is.

Strengths: Whereas the physical aspect has never been an issue for a goalkeeper who stands 6-foot-4, Donnarumma has also developed technically; quick to get down and make saves, his distribution is precise and, without being extravagant, he takes an extra touch, when under pressure in possession, to make the right pass. He has also stood out during a period for Milan that has featured on-pitch underachievement and off-field controversy.

How he can improve: His aggressive style works to his advantage most of the time, but he can be prone to overestimating his own reach when dealing with crosses.

– Miller: Donnarumma among the best homegrown stars

Matthijs de Ligt was 17 on his international debut in March 2017, the youngest Netherlands debutant since 1931. Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images

6. Matthijs de Ligt (DF; Juventus / Netherlands) Age: 20 Estimated transfer value: €85m

After playing so well in Ajax’s impressive Champions League semifinal run last season, De Ligt had his pick of Europe’s top clubs and chose to join Juventus. Life in Italy has not been smooth sailing for the centre-back and his early games featured several errors, but he has started 17 of 26 Serie A matches and will benefit from the guidance of central defensive legends Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.

Strengths: At his best, De Ligt displays presence and leadership qualities beyond his years. His distribution is excellent, and he is able to dominate both boxes; scoring the derby winner against Torino showed his prowess. He has worked to win doubters over after moving from Netherlands to Italy, and an assured display in the 2-0 win against Inter further showed his progress.

How he can improve: Perhaps too keen to impress at his new club, De Ligt has been uncharacteristically rash in tackles and committed himself too early. When he is composed, though, he is the same defender who made such an impression in the Champions League last season.

– Kuper: Why ambitious De Ligt chose Juventus

play

1:14

Tor-Kristian Karlsen explains what makes Kai Havertz so exciting and discusses where his future lies.

5. Kai Havertz (MF; Bayer Leverkusen / Germany) Age: 19 Estimated transfer value: €95m

Among Havertz’s claims to fame is missing a Champions League game in 2017 because of a school exam, but he has done plenty before and since on the pitch — including becoming the youngest player to make 100 Bundesliga appearances — to show the talent that will surely see him move to one of Europe’s top clubs soon. He has 10 goals and eight assists in all competitions this season.

Strengths: An elegant attacking midfielder, capable of touches that wrong-foot opponents and creating space to play a penetrating pass, Havertz plays with an ease and confidence that almost borders on arrogance. Left-footed, but very comfortable with his right, he never seems hurried and has vision and ability to pick a pass, combined with the stamina to make well-timed runs into the box.

How he can improve: To fulfill his enormous potential, you could argue that Havertz needs to add aggression to his game, especially in terms of winning challenges and recovering balls in midfield.

– Schoenfeld: Everyone knows Havertz is destined for the top

play

1:36

Tor-Kristian Karlsen explains why Vinicius Jr. has impressed him enough to secure a top 5 ranking.

4. Vinicius Junior (FW; Real Madrid / Brazil) Age: 19 Estimated transfer value: €80m

Given he signed for one of the biggest clubs in the world as a 16-year-old and cost almost $50m in May 2017, Vinicius Junior has been known as a promising youngster for several years and made his Brazil debut in September. He has not yet reached double figures for league starts in a season, but scored the opening goal in El Clasico against Barcelona in early March.

• When does the transfer window reopen? • Karlsen: Possible coronavirus impact • Best ever transfers: 100-51 | 50-1 • This summer’s top free agents • January transfer grades • Latest completed major transfers

Strengths: His change of pace, balance and rapid movements make him next to impossible to read and stop; many right-backs look silly when they allow too much space. Although Vinicius is not a regular in the Real Madrid starting lineup, his playing time has increased and his display against Barcelona proved he can handle the grandest of occasions. The fact that he is starting to understand that back-heels and trickery are often of little use is another sign of maturity.

How he can improve: Decision-making still remains an issue, as the opening goal against Barcelona showed. Whereas he should have cut the ball back for a better-placed teammate, he instead went for the near-post finish that — fortunately for him — was deflected in.

– Hunter: How Vinicius turned the title race in Madrid’s favour

Trent Alexander-Arnold made his international debut in June 2018 and was included in England’s squad for the World Cup. John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

3. Trent Alexander-Arnold (DF; Liverpool / England) Age: 21 Estimated transfer value: €100m

Alexander-Arnold combines effective defending with an ability to set up goals that is unmatched by any other Premier League full-back. He has assisted on 24 goals in the Premier League since the start of 2018-19, and only Kevin De Bruyne has created more chances than his 75 this season, although Alexander-Arnold’s most famous assist was surely a quickly taken corner against Barcelona in last season’s Champions League.

Strengths: Alexander-Arnold is a gifted all-around footballer, to the extent that he could do an excellent job as a box-to-box midfielder. Not only does he have a good touch on the ball, he can also pass, strike set pieces, cross and shoot with a range and variety of techniques normally reserved for players further up the pitch; his precisely executed switch-of-play ball to Andy Robertson on the opposite flank is a fine example of what he can do.

How he can improve: While full-backs are often singled out for having lost the fine art of defending in one-on-one situations, Alexander-Arnold has made steady progress in this area over the past year.

– Reddy: Why Alexander-Arnold will not stop

Jadon Sancho came through the youth ranks at Watford and Manchester City before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2017. Getty

2. Jadon Sancho (FW; Borussia Dortmund / England) Age: 20 Estimated transfer value: €125m

Over the past 12 months, Sancho’s form and progress have been so impressive that he is being linked with a $125 million move away from Dortmund, with Manchester United the reported favourites for his signature. He has scored 26 times and assisted 29 other goals in the Bundesliga alone since the start of 2018-19, and the winger’s outstanding form has made him a regular in the England team.

Strengths: From mainly playing in bursts, Sancho has grown close to the finished article and capable of influencing throughout a game. Quick, technically proficient and able to score and create goals, he can play on either flank but is even more of a threat when he moves centrally. The ease with which he lays off passes to overlapping full-backs and dinks weighted through balls behind opposing defences make him a joy to watch. Sancho loves playing football, and it shows.

How he can improve: Previously criticised for a lack of tactical discipline, Sancho is becoming more diligent in his defensive work.

– Schoenfeld: Sancho will be a star, on his own terms

Before joining PSG in 2017, Kylian Mbappe scored 27 goals in 60 games for Monaco. Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

1. Kylian Mbappe (FW; Paris Saint-Germain / France) Age: 21 Estimated transfer value: €175m

That last year’s No. 1 retains the top spot shows that Mbappe has been so good for so long at such a young age. In the two years since helping France win the World Cup at 19, he has scored more than 70 goals for club and country and arguably usurped Neymar as PSG’s main man. But with Real Madrid rumours ongoing, how much longer will he remain in Paris?

Strengths: Is there anything he cannot do? Every bit the complete forward — Mbappe tends to play wide on the right for France and in a more central role for PSG — he is exceptionally strong and quick. He can finish with power or with skill, he can head the ball, he is tactically disciplined and he reads the game better than most. His movements are smooth, smart and incisive.

How he can improve: There are no sides of his game worth trading, at the risk of ending up with a lesser player.

– Laurens: PSG is Mbappe’s team, not Neymar’s

The next 26 (in alphabetical order)

Houssem Aouar has nine goals and seven assists in all competitions this season. Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Houssem Aouar (MF; Lyon / France) Age: 21 Estimated transfer value: €55m

Inheriting the No. 8 shirt at Lyon might be considered daunting enough, given the distinction with which Juninho Pernambucano wore it for almost a decade, but to take it as a teenager is even more noteworthy. But the jersey has not proven too heavy for Aouar. He has played more than 130 games for the club in all competitions and, in the Champions League, has assisted six goals in 12 matches.

Strengths: Most of Lyon’s attacking flow goes through Aouar, who plays with the panache of someone five years his senior and links everything together once he gets on the ball. Though not overly physical, his solid frame makes him hard to knock off the ball. He has an excellent first touch, is never in a hurry, is hard to dispossess and hardly ever gives possession away. He is also adept at finding space in and around the opposing penalty area.

How he can improve: He’s 5-foot-9, which is average height for an attacking midfielder and playmaker, and the development of his heading ability has never been a top priority.

Eduardo Camavinga’s first senior goal came in December 2019 when he scored for Rennes at Lyon. Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

Eduardo Camavinga (MF; Stade Rennes / France) Age: 17 Estimated transfer value: €55m

Born in Angola before moving to France as an infant, Camavinga has burst onto the scene in the past year with a string of impressive displays that has earned him admiring looks from big clubs, not to mention a France Under-21 call-up. Rennes’ fine season — they are third in Ligue 1 — has been due in no small part to their teenage sensation, who has started 24 of his side’s 28 league games.

Strengths: A once-in-a-generation talent who could easily have found a place among the Top 10 despite not turning 18 until November, Camavinga plays with ease and can fill every role in the centre of midfield, though he is mainly used in a defensive role. Never in a rush, he plays mainly with one or two touches and sets off on ball-carrying duties only when necessary. The attention has not gone to Camavinga’s head, either, because he remains hardworking and disciplined.

How he can improve: The left-footed teenager is ahead of the normal curve of development even for a top talent; until now, he has done more than can be expected of him.

– Laurens: Camavinga’s form has top scouts circling

play

2:12

Tor-Kristian Karlsen explains why Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David have impressed him.

Jonathan David (FW, Gent / Canada) Age: 20 Estimated transfer value: €35m

David was born in New York, grew up in Ottawa and has played all his professional club football in Belgium since signing for Gent in 2018. He starred for Canada at last summer’s Gold Cup, leading all scorers with six goals and being named in the tournament best XI, and has since netted 18 goals in 27 games in the Belgian first division.

Strengths: Initially seen as a threat on counterattacks for his pace and direct style, David has developed his game over the past six months and boasts impressive finishing ability. While he is liveliest with smart movements when the ball enters the last third — in which he often finds pockets of space — he has also improved his ability to hold the ball up and bring teammates into play.

How he can improve: While David has hardly put a foot wrong and has impressed in the Europa League, his next logical step is a move to a higher competitive level.

Alphonso Davies became the third-youngest player in MLS history when he made his Vancouver debut in July 2016. Getty

Alphonso Davies (DF; Bayern Munich / Canada) Age: 19 Estimated transfer value: €45m

The former Vancouver Whitecap moved to Germany only in January 2019 and did not make his first Bundesliga start until the end of October, two weeks after he opened the scoring for Canada in a shock win against the United States. Davies’ rise as a dynamic left-back for Bayern has been meteoric and a fine performance at Chelsea in the Champions League announced him on the big stage.

2 Related

Strengths: Converting the onetime winger into a left-back has been a huge success for Bayern, for whom Davies is no less of a threat when he begins offensive surges from a deeper position. Thanks to his pace and athleticism, it is easy to forget that he is also a fine footballer, who comfortably fits into Bayern’s possession game with neat close control and quick feet to get out of tight corners.

How he can improve: Davies is learning fast and shows no lack of willingness adapting to the ins and outs of his new role. That said, he is very much reliant on pace to resolve defensive situations, rather than conventional defending.

– Marshall, Bell: Is Davies the best player in CONCACAF?

Ansu Fati scored his first Barcelona goal against Osasuna in August 2019. Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Ansu Fati (FW; Barcelona / Spain) Age: 17 Estimated transfer value: €50m

Fati was the second-youngest player in Barcelona history when he made his debut at age 16 years and 298 days last August, and just 23 days later, he became the third-youngest in competition history to make a Champions League appearance. Spanish Under-21 honours followed, while no less a judge than Lionel Messi has said that Fati “is a fantastic player and has what it takes to succeed.”

Strengths: Equipped with exceptional pace and close control, he is almost impossible to stop when there’s space to take on defenders in one-on-one situations. Though mostly recognised for his qualities on the ball, he has already scored a headed goal, and his movement when not in possession is remarkably developed for a player of his age. He does not seem fazed by expectation or the attention he has attracted.

How he can improve: Because he has such faith in his quick feet and ability to take on opponents, he can be caught in possession and give away the ball unnecessarily.

– Lowe: Is Fati the answer for Barcelona, post-Messi?

In December 2017, 17-year-old Phil Foden became the youngest Englishman to start a Champions League game. Matt McNulty – Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images

Phil Foden (MF; Manchester City / England) Age: 19 Estimated transfer value: €30m

Foden has been a future star since he was named best player at the 2017 Under-17 World Cup and broke into Man City’s first-team squad. He has been used sparingly by Pep Guardiola but has Premier League and cup winners’ medals. With David Silva leaving the club, Foden should be set for an integral role at the Etihad Stadium. He might come to be equally important for England.

Strengths: Blessed with a highly advanced footballing brain and wonderful abilities on the ball, Foden is perfectly suited to the patient, sophisticated possession game favoured by Guardiola and most other top European clubs. He might have featured more regularly, but starting at Manchester United in the Premier League was a sign of the regard in which he is held.

How he can improve: Foden’s next challenge is to make the permanent transition from an outstanding talent to a fully fledged senior player who can make a 90-minute impact on games.

Mason Greenwood scored his first Manchester United goal 12 days before his 18th birthday. OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images

Mason Greenwood (FW; Manchester United / England) Age: 18 Estimated transfer value: €30m

When Man United’s incredible Champions League win at Paris Saint-Germain is recalled, it might be most significant as Greenwood’s debut. In the year since, he has hit double digits for goals, made his England under-21 debut and been called a more natural finisher than Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial by United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who compared the teenager to Robin van Persie.

Strengths: In a short sample size, Greenwood, who can play as a central striker or on the right wing, has demonstrated the force and venom of his left foot by scoring some outstanding efforts in the Premier League and in Europe. He is a natural, instinctive footballer, not just for his nonchalant finishing skills but also for his remarkable balance and sublime ball skills.

How he can improve: He has hardly put a foot wrong, but when being played as a centre-forward — and especially considering his size and athleticism — he will be expected to pose a greater threat in the air.

Matteo Guendouzi was eligible to represent Morocco, but has pledged his future to France. Photo by James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images

Matteo Guendouzi (MF; Arsenal / France) Age: 21 Estimated transfer value: €30m

It was a baptism of fire for Guendouzi at the Emirates Stadium, where he made his Arsenal debut against Manchester City a month after arriving at the club. Since then, the former Lorient player has featured in 55 of 66 Premier League games for the Gunners, scored his first senior goal in a Europa League tie and been called into the full France squad, although he has yet to debut.

Strengths: Guendouzi has found things challenging under Mikel Arteta’s management, but his potential is still evident. Good at recovering balls from defensive midfield, he takes up smart positions and has a relatively high pass-completion rate: 88% overall in the Premier League, and 81% in the opposition defensive third. At his best, he is an efficient player who is physically strong and covers a lot of midfield ground.

How he can improve: He could benefit from breaking forward from midfield more often and being even more assertive in his pressing game.

At age 19, Achraf Hakimi started all three of Morocco’s games at the 2018 World Cup. Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Achraf Hakimi (DF; Borussia Dortmund, on loan from Real Madrid / Morocco) Age: 21 Estimated transfer value: €50m

He came through the youth ranks at Real Madrid and remains on the Bernabeu books, but it has been in Dortmund that Hakimi established himself over the past two seasons. A regular creator of chances from his position at right-back, the Moroccan international has 10 assists in 25 Bundesliga games this season, while his four Champions League goals have shown his finishing prowess.

Strengths: His forward runs are full of pace, timing and conviction; indeed, there are few more productive right-backs in European football. During a season in which he has established himself as one of the most exciting players in his position, plenty of top clubs are monitoring Hakimi and wondering whether he will get playing time at Real Madrid.

How he can improve: His tremendous attacking potential means he can leave too much space when charging forward and get caught high up the pitch against teams playing on the break.

At 18 years and 135 days, Callum Hudson-Odoi set a record as the youngest Englishman to play a competitive international. Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Callum Hudson-Odoi (FW; Chelsea / England) Age: 19 Estimated transfer value: €45m

Not 20 until November, Hudson-Odoi has packed plenty in to his career. He was part of England’s Under-17 World Cup-winning squad in 2017 and has since risen through the ranks to represent the senior side. At Chelsea, meanwhile, he impressed to the extent that Bayern Munich tried to sign him, only for him to suffer an Achilles injury before committing his future to the Stamford Bridge club.

Top players under 21: Nationality

England 8 France 6 Brazil 3 Italy 3 Canada 2 Netherlands 2 Norway 2 Spain 2 Sweden 2 Six countries 1

Strengths: The unpredictable winger, who loves setting off down the left before cutting inside on his favoured right foot, is one of the game’s most exciting wide players. Beyond striking characteristics that include a change of pace, quick footwork and being hard to mark in one-on-one situations, he also understands and reads the game, often working out opposing defenders as games develop.

How he can improve: Hudson-Odoi must learn to be more consistent, rather than showing his undeniable ability in patches. He should also add more goals, assists and chances created to his game.

– Williams: Hudson-Odoi repays Chelsea’s faith

In a January Copa del Rey win against Real Madrid, Alexander Isak scored two goals and assisted another. Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Alexander Isak (FW; Real Sociedad / Sweden) Age: 20 Estimated transfer value: €20m

Isak’s story is an example of a next big thing who bounced back after overcoming challenges early in his professional career. Success in Sweden led to a high-profile move to Borussia Dortmund in 2017, but Isak struggled to make an impact. After a goal-laden loan spell at Willem II, he joined Real Sociedad, where he has impressed, often as a substitute.

Strengths: Standing at almost 6-foot-3, the powerful centre-forward is deceptively quick, can finish with both feet and is hard to stop in one-on-one situations. Only 20, he is fast becoming indispensable for Sweden and is finally beginning to realise the undoubted potential that was evident when he emerged several years ago.

How he can improve: Isak tends to score in streaks, and his great runs of form are often followed by lean spells. Though not uncommon for a young forward, it might be a sign that he needs to develop more confidence in his abilities.

Dejan Kulusevski made his Sweden debut in a European Championship qualifier against Faroe Islands in November. Andrea Staccioli/LightRocket via Getty Images

Dejan Kulusevski (MF; Parma, on loan from Juventus / Sweden) Age: 19 Estimated transfer value: €35m

On loan at Parma from Atalanta during the first half of this season, Kulusevski’s form was so impressive that Juventus signed him in January, less than a year after his Serie A debut. He has since been sent back to Parma, where he has five goals and seven assists in 22 league games. That form also saw him earn his first cap for Sweden, against the Faroe Islands in November.

Strengths: A strong-running wide midfielder or forward with power, an intense pressing game and pace to match an excellent left foot, Kulusevski has been compared to Arjen Robben. However, in contrast to the Dutchman, who was initially more of an out-and-out winger with the ability to turn opposing full-backs inside out, the Swede is more about work ethic and strength than finesse, though he does enjoy a touch off his heel and a perfectly weighted through ball.

How he can improve: Not unlike other supremely talented left-footed players, developing his right foot is on his to-do list. Kulusevski also needs to work on how to keep possession in tight spaces.

Last September, Donyell Malen scored all of PSV’s goals in a 5-0 win against Vitesse. Photo Prestige/Soccrates/Getty Images

Donyell Malen (FW; PSV Eindhoven / Netherlands) Age: 21 Estimated transfer value: €35m

One that got away for Arsenal? Malen was on the Gunners’ books as a teenager, but moved to PSV in 2017 and has been a prolific scorer ever since; he hit double figures last season and has 17 goals in 25 games in 2019-20. He has also broken into Ronald Koeman’s promising Netherlands squad, marking his international debut with the winning goal against Germany.

Strengths: Malen’s development over the past year has made many scouts believe he is in the process of outgrowing the Eredivisie. His profile certainly fits the bill for a top European club: He is direct, always looking for the shortest way to goal and quick off the mark. Additionally, he has a sharp finishing technique, possesses excellent dribbling skills and makes incisive runs.

How he can improve: As a confident and goal-fixated striker, he often looks for a hopeful finish rather than showing more selflessness and passing to a better-placed teammate.

As well as Brazil, Gabriel Martinelli is eligible to play for Italy. Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images

Gabriel Martinelli (FW; Arsenal / Brazil) Age: 18 Estimated transfer value: €20m

The past year has been a whirlwind for Martinelli, who has gone from the lower tiers in Brazil with Ituano to starting for Arsenal in the Premier League. He was a regular in squads under Unai Emery before the Spaniard was sacked, and has continued to feature for Mikel Arteta. Playing mainly as a left-sided forward, Martinelli has scored 10 goals in 26 games in all competitions.

Strengths: Martinelli’s improbable jump from Ituano to Arsenal is credit to him and the English club’s scouting department. His pace, unpredictability and intensity have seen him make a real impression, but you wonder whether the energetic forward, who doesn’t mind doing a shift defensively, can maintain this speed of development.

How he can improve: Still rough around the edges, he must improve his passing to reach the next level. His ability in the air also leaves a lot to be desired.

Mason Mount has six goals and four assists in the Premier League this season. Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Mason Mount (MF; Chelsea / England) Age: 21 Estimated transfer value: €35m

After a year on loan at Dutch club Vitesse, Mount impressed last season at Derby under Frank Lampard and has since made the breakthrough at Chelsea — he first joined the club as a 6-year-old — after Lampard took over at Stamford Bridge. Mount has also become a regular in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, scoring his first international goal against Kosovo in November.

Strengths: The busy, mobile central midfielder is never afraid to ask for the ball and thinks ahead for his next move before receiving it. Mount is creative, plays with intuition and can spot an early switch of play. He has repaid Lampard’s confidence with some stunning performances and is one of the most impressive Premier League newcomers this season.

How he can improve: While he does appear very bright and full of spark early on in games, his impact can drop toward the end of the 90 minutes.

– Marcotti: Mount among Chelsea’s impressive kids

play

1:35

Tor-Kristian Karlsen explains why Martin Odegaard nearly didn’t make it into the top 30 players under 21.

Martin Odegaard (FW; Real Sociedad, on loan from Real Madrid / Norway) Age: 21 Estimated transfer value: €50m

It looked as if the promise that led Odegaard to earn his professional debut at 15 might go unfulfilled, but while he has not done enough to feature regularly for Real Madrid, loans in Netherlands brought valuable playing time and this season has seen him play a key role in La Real’s quest for Champions League qualification. He also scored against his parent club in a surprise Copa del Rey win.

Top players under 21: League

Premier League (England) 10 La Liga (Spain) 8 Bundesliga (Germany) 6 Ligue 1 (France) 5 Serie A (Italy) 5 Eredivisie (Netherlands) 1 First Division A (Belgium) 1

Strengths: The silky touch, the high football intelligence, the brilliant left foot, the ability to weight a defence-splitting pass and the elegant turns have always been in Odegaard’s toolkit, but this season he has added greater consistency, end product in front of goal and maturity. Though sometimes fielded on the right wing, he is arguably more efficient as a typical No. 10.

How he can improve: To make it in Madrid, Odegaard must demonstrate more presence on the pitch and ensure the breaks between his constructive involvements become even shorter. He still appears slightly less concerned about the nuts and bolts of the game than its art and beauty.

– Hamilton, Fernandez-Abascal: Odegaard is more than a trivia answer

Victor Osimhen’s club career began with Wolfsburg in Germany, before he moved to Charleroi in Belgium, then Lille in France. Getty

Victor Osimhen (FW; Lille / Nigeria) Age: 21 Estimated transfer value: €30m

Osimhen was one of the stars of Nigeria’s Under-17 World Cup triumph in 2015, when he was top scorer with 10 goals — including the winner against Mali in the final — and won the tournament’s Silver Ball. His subsequent club form was inconsistent, but a move last year to Lille proved a catalyst; only three players have scored more than his 13 goals in Ligue 1 this season.

Strengths: Osimhen is a no-frills centre-forward, who will run and chase a lost cause knowing that his impressive pace, intense pressing and alert mind often give him the chance to make something out of nothing. At a time when many strikers want the ball to their feet, he prefers running behind defences. He is direct, sharp and clinical in his finishing.

How he can improve: At times, he is so eager to make runs behind opposing defenders that he does not even consider the option of retaining possession to allow his team to move higher up the pitch.

Christian Pulisic is one of only two Americans to score a Premier League hat trick. Getty

Christian Pulisic (FW; Chelsea / U.S.) Age: 21 Estimated transfer value: €55m

Pulisic has been a U.S. international for four years and made more than 120 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, but in the past year has taken the next step in his career with a $70 million move to Chelsea. Early returns included a hat trick at Burnley before injury slowed his progress. The face of his national team, the Pennsylvania native remains a top prospect.

Strengths: Though he tends to look most comfortable as an inverted winger on the left, Pulisic can comfortably slot into any position behind a striker. An intelligent, modern player with excellent close control and a magnificent first touch, his low centre of gravity and ability to turn either way with the ball mean one thing: He is a nightmare to mark.

How he can improve: Very similar to other young, creative players, he mainly comes to life when he gets on the ball, giving room for improvement when he is not in possession.

– Burley: Pulisic has shown Lampard he is good enough

Declan Rice scored his first West Ham goal in a January 2019 win against Arsenal. Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images

Declan Rice (MF; West Ham / England) Age: 21 Estimated transfer value: €65m

After being released by Chelsea at 14, Rice broke through across London at West Ham, where he has played in central defence but predominantly as a midfielder. He earned international honours initially for the Republic of Ireland before switching allegiance to England in 2019, a year in which he was also nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

Strengths: In modern football, there are few disciplined, tidy defensive midfielders who enjoy mopping up loose balls and keeping things simple in possession. Rice, though, does just that, and very well; he is the kind of reliable linchpin that most teams could use. He is a dependable, efficient performer who can play with both feet and has a range of passing that keeps improving.

How he can improve: The beauty of Rice is that he just does his job. You do not necessarily want him to be more adventurous going forward or to try stuff he has not yet mastered; his role is to keep things solid, so more creative teammates can benefit.

Rodrygo made his debut for Brazil against Argentina in November 2019. Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Rodrygo (FW; Real Madrid / Brazil) Age: 19 Estimated transfer value: €50m

Six months younger than his fellow countryman and Madrid teammate Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo is another young player to have followed the well-trodden path from Brazil to the Bernabeu. His early impressions have been positive for Los Blancos: Rodrygo scored within a minute after coming on for his debut in September, and then notched a Champions League hat trick six weeks later.

Strengths: If solely down to natural talent and potential, Rodrygo would be near the top of the ranked section. However, he remains a work in progress, and despite flashes of brilliance, his Real Madrid career has yet to properly take off. At his best, this is an incredibly talented forward who is probably most efficient when cutting in from the left — he does it pretty well from the right, too — utilising close control, technical skills and speed on the break.

How he can improve: After a promising spell in the first team at the end of 2019, he was demoted to Real Madrid Castilla. That leads to the question of whether manager Zinedine Zidane has been unimpressed with his attitude in training. Rodrygo also needs to build his upper-body strength to cope better with the European game’s physicality.

Bukayo Saka was a substitute for the 2019 Europa League final at the age of 17. David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Bukayo Saka (DF; Arsenal / England) Age: 18 Estimated transfer value: €50m

Since debuting in November 2018 for Arsenal, Saka has made a meteoric rise and this season has seen him established as a regular in the Gunners’ starting lineup under Mikel Arteta. He has begun to chip in with goals, but his most consistent threat comes with the quality and precision of his crosses from the left side, which have led to nine assists in all competitions in the 2019-20 campaign.

Strengths: Already a hit at the youth level for England, Saka has become one of Arteta’s most trusted performers. Reinvented as a left-back from an out-and-out winger, the pacy and tricky Saka is Arsenal’s main outlet on the left, offering width and a constant option to switch play. Never short of effort, he catches the eyes with his eagerness to run at defenders and wholehearted application to defending and attacking.

How he can improve: Saka is still a learner when it comes to direct defending against an opponent and taking up the right positions. There is also work to be done on his upper-body strength — he can get brushed off the ball too easily — while his crossing game also needs to improve.

Boubakary Soumare’s first professional club game was for Lille against Metz in November 2017. David Aliaga/MB Media/Getty Images

Boubakary Soumare (MF; Lille / France) Age: 21 Estimated transfer value: €30m

After coming through the youth ranks at Paris Saint-Germain, Soumare opted to leave the Ligue 1 giants at 18 in order to find more playing opportunities with Lille. The move worked out for the 6-foot-2 midfielder, whose displays this season at home and in the Champions League have earned him France under-21 honours and drawn attention from clubs across Europe.

Strengths: Through his outstanding physique, agility and work ethic, Soumare has developed spatial understanding and, matched with fine tactical sense, is often well positioned to pick up second balls. He also features two good feet, from which he is able to execute a wide variety of passing.

How he can improve: Given his strength and excellent progression in possession, he could become more of a goal-scoring threat if given the license to roam.

Sandro Tonali was part of the Italy squad that reached the 2018 European Under-19 Championship final. Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images

Sandro Tonali (MF; Brescia / Italy) Age: Estimated transfer value: €40m

When Andrea Pirlo says a 19-year-old is the best player in Serie A, you know you are watching a serious talent. Tonali has been a key player for Brescia for several years, but after helping his club win promotion last season he has taken his game to a new level in Italy’s top flight. He is a full Italian international and will surely be snapped up by one of the big clubs very soon.

Read all of the columns written by former scout and sporting director Tor-Kristian Karlsen.

Strengths: He combines playmaking abilities with an energetic, all-action style of play; one minute he can be organising from a deep regista role, while the next he is rolling up his sleeves to do some dirty work. Because of his club allegiance, comparisons have been drawn to Pirlo, but while there are similarities, Tonali is more of a grinder. What they have in common, however, is an excellent right foot, with which they can pick a pinpoint forward pass, almost without looking.

How he can improve: One criticism is that he sometimes tries too hard and, instead of letting the game settle, is prone to forcing the forward pass when more caution is needed. And though not fundamental to his position, there is room for improvement in his aerial game.

Ferran Torres collected his first winners’ medal in club football when Valencia won the 2019 Copa del Rey. Silvestre Szpylma/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Ferran Torres (FW; Valencia / Spain) Age: 20 Estimated transfer value: €55m

Previous Valencia youth players to reach the highest level include David Silva and Isco, and Torres might also have what it takes. He was the first player born in the 2000s to play in La Liga, and among the club records he owns is youngest Champions League goal scorer. He was part of Spain’s Under-17 and Under-19 European Championship-winning teams in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

Strengths: Extraordinarily these days, Torres is a right-footed forward who prefers playing on the right wing. He is one of the best crossers in Europe, and when being doubled up by defenders, his favourite move involves evading two markers by going right between them while nutmegging one! Atypically for an easy-on-the-eye wide forward, he has the physique and size to go with delightful skills. His superb technique also means he brings first-class playmaking abilities when moving infield.

How he can improve: One scout I spoke to recently, who is a big fan, pointed out that he would like to see Torres be a bit more “aggressive” and “cynical” in his style of play.

Dayot Upamecano was named to the team of the tournament at the 2015 European Under-17 Championship. Oliver Hardt/Bongarts/Getty Images

Dayot Upamecano (DF; RB Leipzig / France) Age: 21 Estimated transfer value: €40m

A key part of Leipzig’s impressive form in the Bundesliga and Champions League, Upamecano has logged consistent displays in central defence and been linked with Europe’s biggest clubs. He has played at every age group level since under-16 for France and, with the European Championship delayed by 12 months, has extra time to force his way into Didier Deschamps’ plans for next summer.

Strengths: Few players stir up more debate within the scouting community than Upamecano, who emerged at Leipzig after Ibrahima Konate — another candidate for this list — was injured. Those defending him point to presence beyond his age, willingness to sacrifice in duels and eye-catching physical attributes, whereas those unconvinced refer to a catalogue of costly errors, a tendency to play aimless long balls and his propensity to give away unnecessary fouls.

How he can improve: With understanding of the game such an important component of the role, centre-backs peak later than those in other positions, so Upamecano has time on his side to become more consistent and less reckless.

Nicolo Zaniolo was included in a senior Italy squad before he had played in Serie A. Andrea Staccioli/LightRocket via Getty Images

Nicolo Zaniolo (MF; Roma / Italy) Age: 20 Estimated transfer value: €50m

After moving to Roma from Inter in the summer of 2018, Zaniolo was thrust into the limelight when he made his Giallorossi debut at Real Madrid in the Champions League. His Serie A bow followed and consistently good performances resulted in a call-up to the Italian national team. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in January, slowing his progress.

Strengths: He can seem deceptively uncoordinated and gangly at first glance, but behind the lanky appearance hides a near-complete, modern footballer. The versatile attacking midfielder with a sweet left foot has the intelligence and playmaking brain to be fielded as a trequartista — linking midfield or attack — as well as the smooth one-on-one skills to drive opposing full-backs dizzy from a wide-right position.

How he can improve: The immediate priority is for Zaniolo to completely recover from injury, then it is a matter of fine-tuning his physical attributes to become more explosive and resistant to heavy challenges.

Source link

Tags: 21, 36, Achraf Hakimi, Age, Alexander Isak, AlexanderArnold, all blogs, Alphonso Davies, Ansu Fati, blog - espn fc united, Boubakary Soumare, Bukayo Saka, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Christian Pulisic, Dayot Upamecano, Declan Rice, Dejan Kulusevski, Donyell Malen, Eduardo Camavinga, Erling Haaland, Federico Valverde, Ferrán Torres, Gabriel Martinelli, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Houssem Aouar, Jadon Sancho, João Félix, Jonathan David, Kai Havertz, Kylian Mbappé, Lead, Martin Ødegaard, Mason Greenwood, Mason Mount, Matteo Guendouzi, Matthijs de Ligt, Mbappe, Nicolò Zaniolo, Phil Foden, Players, Rodrygo, Sancho, Sandro Tonali, soccer transfers, soccers, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Victor Osimhen, Vinícius Júnior

from WordPress https://ift.tt/2YjYwXm via IFTTT

[whereisfootball]

2018 MLS Kit Branding Reimagined

The 2018 Major League Soccer season is nearly underway. It’s been a long offseason and we’re hyped to have it back.

Our friends Tap In have a lot of new, exciting MLS content coming this year on their guide, and in celebration of that, we decided to partner on a fun little project.

In a bid to add a little more personality to what is largely bland, impersonal sponsorship real estate on each kit, we reimagined every team’s jersey with something new in the middle of it. Some of these are local companies, others are prospective partners who have some fun link to the team, and others will probably just be arcane jokes that won’t land.

Nevertheless, we thought this was a fun way to bring a few of our favorite things together: Friendship, Photoshop & American soccer.

Please enjoy.

Atlanta United — Waffle House

An iconic southern restaurant with its roots in Atlanta, Waffle House is open 24/7, 365—and it’s the best. As Waffle House FC will tell you, this is a perfect sponsor for a team that’s tasty on and off the pitch. Their supporters never waver, refusing to shut off for even a single second when they pack the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. They aren’t afraid to do things their own way—which, yes, can sometimes get a bit messy ... but most of the time it’s spot on.

Chicago Fire — Portillo’s

Sorry, it’s important we let you know now that this is probably going to be a food-heavy list as we’re rather fond of eating.

Portillo’s is a Chicago institution known for its hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, and an extremely healthy, 100% good for any diet cheese sauce.

While the Fire aren’t yet a Chicago institution themselves, we hope one day pictures of Bob Bradley, Hristo Stoichkov & Ante Razov will line the walls of a Portillo’s near you.

Colorado Rapids — Coors

The beer with mountains on the can that turn from white to blue when it’s cold enough to drink...

The beer that you knew and loved so well from ages 21-24...

The beer brewed with spring water from the very same Rocky range you can spot from the Colorado Rapids’ 18,000-seat soccer specific stadium...

Headquartered in Golden, Colorado and responsible for some of the best nights of your life, we give you Coors on a Rapids jersey...

“Like if Chelsea’s 1994 kit did a gap year in America.”

Columbus Crew — Wendy’s

As the red-headed stepchild of MLS, this one kind of feels right. And the disappearance of the club would be just as sad as when Wendy’s (founded in Columbus) got rid of their spicy chicken nuggets.

#SAVETHECREW

(Note: The actual kit is pretty great and it’s honestly insulting that we did anything to it. We’re sorry.)

DC United — Geico

The Chevy Chase, Maryland-based Geico gecko had some good years there. We all liked him for a while. It was a good bit. But it got stale right around the time Freddy Adu left town. Since then, DC United and the gecko have struggled mightily to find consistent form. Here’s hoping they both find success this year from a new approach.

(And, hey, while we’re here: All the best to you, Freddy.)

FC Dallas — Dr. Pepper

Everyone’s second team, Dr. Pepper, is a lifestyle in Texas. A Lone Star State-staple that pulls a talented 23-flavor squad from all-over—here’s to you Waco and Dublin— Dr. Pepper is an underrated, over-performing outfit with immense local significance … just like their imagined partner in Dallas.

A lot more to be proud of than their trophy cabinet will tell you.

Houston Dynamo — Swishahouse

As Mike Jones, noted soccer superfan, Swishahouse OG, and Everyone’s Favorite Rapper from 2005, once said:

Let ‘em know: Houston Dynamo.

Good enough for us.

LA Galaxy — SpaceX

Space. Galaxy. You get it.

Headquartered a stone’s throw from the LA Galaxy’s stadium in Carson is SpaceX, Elon Musk’s influential private “outer space things” company as it’s scientifically known.

Much like MLS’s most famous and successful franchise, SpaceX is a trailblazer famous for its glamour and willingness to break the mold. This isn’t to say it’s always smooth sailing—for either—but at the end of the day they’re both respected for their vision and performance.

This crossover is too perfect and it’s something that we’ve seen terrific mockups of in the past (though we wish we knew who to credit!). Also worth a shout is this awesome piece from LA Galaxy Confidential, which mentions Tesla as a fun potential partner. 

LAFC — The Boring Company

If the Galaxy is SpaceX, LAFC is The Boring Company.

Elon Musk’s newest endeavor is going to revolutionize Los Angeles by … making tunnels for cars? Oh, and by creating giant vehicles that can travel those tunnels and move lots of people at once … like a train. Hmm. The Boring Company seems like a well-backed but ordinary idea that lacks direction and distinction, with a lot of hype for reasons no one can really explain.

To be blunt, we haven’t really seen much to this point.

The Galaxy have sent a Tesla up into space and revolutionized how we build rockets... but LAFC have so far just made a bunch of flamethrowers and sold out their entire stock. So, we’ll see.

For now, all we’re really sure about is how much better their kit would have looked if they hadn’t put their sponsor in red.

Minnesota United — Prince. Duh.

You can have a Dirty Mind or even be a little Delirious, but you’ll still end up right back here with no Controversy. You can wear it in a Little Red Corvette, in a Purple Rain, When Doves Cry or even put it on Bambi. With this kit, you’ll be a Sexy MF.

Montreal Impact — Cirque du Soleil

What’s wilder than benching Didier Drogba because you’re better without him? One person doing acrobatics on the head of another person while a third person flies through the air holding fire. In French.

Born and headquartered in Quebec, Cirque du Soleil is now the largest theatrical producer in the world. The Impact aren’t even the kings of Canada yet, let alone MLS, but this could be the year they flip their way to the top. Holding fire. In French.

New England Revolution — Sperry’s

Put those Sperry’s on to look the part and take your dad’s boat out on the water. You’ll be as close to Boston as Gillette Stadium and the deck of your boat will probably be as soft as the turf too.

NYCFC — Sbarro.

The Michael-Scott-approved best pizza in New York. The only logical choice.

Sorry, sorry. We’re kidding. Don’t go to Sbarro.

...Let’s try that again...

NYCFC — WeWork.

Much like City Football Group, WeWork is trying to change a model.

For CFG, it’s football clubs. For WeWork, it’s the office space game. WeWork started in New York, born out of an inability to find affordable and available office space in the city—a problem NYCFC knows rather well—and now has an operation that spans across the globe.

Like CFG, it might not be your cup of tea, but it certainly works for a lot of people in NYC and has offered plenty of enterprising young professionals a place to grind. #JackHarrison

New York Red Bulls — Become the MetroStars again.

#Metros4Ever. That is all.

Orlando City — Publix

This one is a no-brainer.

Publix is an employee-owned supermarket chain that serves up some truly delicious food and has fans almost as fanatical as those found on The Wall in Orlando.

Floridians are vocally, passionately, sometimes a bit frighteningly #TeamPublix—and the same can be true for the way purple-clad City supporters get behind their squad.

Philadelphia Union — Wawa

If you know, you know. In their words:

“Wawa is your all day, every day stop for fresh, built-to-order foods, beverages, coffee, fuel services, and surcharge-free ATMs. The stores offer a large fresh food service selection, including Wawa brands such as built-to-order hoagies, freshly brewed coffee, hot breakfast sandwiches, built-to-order specialty beverages, and an assortment of soups, sides and snacks.”

Wawa 4 ever. #SheetzOUT

Portland Timbers — Powell’s

Powell’s City of Books is (supposedly) the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. It is ginormous and fantastic and you should go if you’re ever in Portland.

We don’t know of any football clubs sponsored by book stores, but if there was ever going to be one, it would play in the Rose City.

Real Salt Lake — High West

Tucked away in a state known primarily for its gorgeous vistas and as the home of the Mormon religion is a really wonderful distillery that will knock your socks off. It also comes with that beautiful mountain view, not unlike Rio Tinto Stadium.

San Jose Earthquakes — Yahoo!

Nothing says cool like needing an exclamation point at the end of your name. Kind of like building a brand new stadium and needing to tell people that you have a really long bar.

As the kit sponsor of the Quakes during their two title runs, we think it’s time for Yahoo! to make a return. (Not sure anyone will use it, though.)

Seattle Sounders — Starbucks

Sorry, we’re those guys. Seattle gave the world Starbucks and we needed to see what that logo would look like on these new kits. 

Plus, much like Starbucks invented coffee, the Sounders invented American soccer.

Sporting Kansas City — Hallmark

A proudly Kansas City company that is all about good vibes, with extensive Wizard of Oz involvement over the years.

That sounds a lot like Sporting KC to us—a team that needed a rough start in order to find its way. Much the same, Hallmark probably would have never become what it is today without extensive setbacks in its early years.

Toronto FC — Tim Hortons

Timbits and trophies: That’s what Toronto does. Nowadays, anyway.

We only had three Canadian teams to give the Tim Hortons love to, so we figured the toast of MLS deserves the world’s most lovely quick-service cafe and bake shop.

Vancouver Whitecaps — Lululemon

Set on the water, with an amazing mountain view, you couldn’t say a bad word about how great Vancouver looks. It’s straight-up cool. And local company Lululemon makes activewear that looks similarly awesome. We are officially here for MLS yoga wear.

————

This post was a collaboration between Where Is Football and Tap In Guide. Check out their stuff—it’s awesome.

A special thanks to Tap In’s graphic designer Mike Arney for helping bring our ideas to life, and to our buddy Ryan Rosenblatt for developing those ideas with us.

As always, you can follow us on Instagram @whereisfootball.

[ofmancini-blog]

hi hello everyone !! i’m cait the gr8, the baddest mf this town has ever seen … Anyways, hi i’m caitlin and i’m super pumped to be here !! i love gang rps and i love our sweet dear admin a Whole Bunch so i mean obviously i had to join?? i’m in the est timezone and i go by she / her pronouns !! i’m really not that interesting so let’s get on to My Boy !!

╯dj cotrona, he/him.╭ ─ get off the street, it’s ( wesley mancini ) ! i heard they’re a ( thirty five ) year old ( assassin ) in the 212. don’t let that smile fool you, i heard they’re most known to be ( aloof ); sometimes they can be ( zealous ) but i hardly doubt it. they seem like they’d be the ( cataclysmic. ).

lil bit of backstory and how he got to where he is:

so as far as his backstory goes: wes was born in brooklyn, new york to an asshole alcoholic father who abused his wife and children who wes has always feared he will Become ( which in some ways, he has, )!! his mother ended up in a coma after his parents got into a fight and she “fell” down the stairs when wes was seventeen. she was on life support for about a year before they had to pull the plug due to expenses and his father’s own mentality about how “her brain is gone and so is she”. anyway, after that it was just wes, his father, and his younger brother. the whole thing forced wes to drop out of high school and help support what was left of his family.

about two years later, when wes was nineteen, there was a terrible fire. his dad was sitting on the couch with a lit cigarette and ended up falling asleep. the cigarette slipped out of his hand and started a fire. wes was awoken by screaming and as he shared a room with his brother, was able to save him but purposely left his father to burn in his own destruction. their small house burned to the ground, forcing the boys to start anew. though it wasn’t much, wes used the inheritance from his father’s death to buy a shitty apartment in a rundown neighborhood in the bronx. he was able to keep family services off his back, having to move into different apartments under different names to avoid them, succeeding for a few years until his brother was eighteen. he let his brother stay with him as long as he needed but once he ended up joining the gang, he encouraged his brother to do something else with his life, forcing him to leave to better himself.

he never attended college and barely graduated high school. he was a frequent visitor at homeless shelters, getting kicked out of numerous apartments and eventually running out of money. with all the crime in the city and needing a quick way to make a buck, wes started to sell drugs as well as become a conman. fast forward years later, someone he ended up conning found him again and tried to blackmail wes into giving him his money back. wes, not stable with money and not willing to let the asshole win, got a bit reckless and ended up killing the guy. it was an accident, he only meant to scare the guy, but they ended up getting into a fight and one thing led to another.

a couple years after that he was recruited into the 212. his brother ended up befriending adrian and with everything going on, adrian found out about wes’ habits. he extended an invitation and wes accepted. he was one of the original members but prefers to keep to himself, preferring people know nothing about him. the person that knows the most about him is adrian but only because he’s never wanted to seem as if he’s unloyal to the group and has always been honest with the guy. admittedly, he does sometimes have doubts about adrian leading the group but would never voice these thoughts or dare to act on them. in the end, wes is 100% loyal to himself but would never betray or do anything to jeopardize his gang.

about my boy:

his last name rhymes w martini so enjoy the irony that he is an alcoholic

his first kill was Technically his father but his first like … murder was the man he conned who ended up finding him again?? he struggled for a long time about the Feeling of having someone’s blood on his hands and he’s never liked killing but it’s what he’s good at and there’s nothing else he knows how to do!! he’s 100% in survival mode at all times

as far as targets go in the gang, he requires not knowing any information about them except for a name and a face. the more he’s in the dark about a target the more capable he is of completing his task. besides it not like he ... really cares to know any more about them

he’s a huge asshole?? not so much to the members in the gang ( the longer you’ve been in the gang the nicer he is but he’s a dickhead to the rookies ) but he has a Huge Temper and if u start to push his buttons he’ll retaliate

feelings are a No Go he’s all about sex and drugs and alcohol!! he’s slept with quite a few ppl in the gang ( potential plot for a couple of you ) but there’s one person that’s gotten under his skin the past few years, even if he’s avoiding them at all costs at this point. he doesn’t know what love feels like or if it’s even real and he doesn’t want to put himself in that position of being vulnerable !!

he’s really stealthy which is good because he’s good at infiltrating a place, neutralizing his target, and getting the hell out without a sound. his talent is guns, which is his Shit like he thinks he’s the mf Best ( he… p much is it’s all he’s ever rlly known ) and while he’s good at hand to hand combat, shooting a target is much easier and faster than strangling them. he also has a Hidden Talent for locks and like ... if given enough time he can unlock a safe with his ear?? like putting it up against a door, slowly turning the lock and listening with a stethoscope !!

when adrian was gone for a couple months wes got a lil … sloppy?? he got drunk while on a job and when he killed his target he made a Lot of noise so there are a few people in new york who are kind of looking for him but they can’t call the cops bc they’re drug dealers :~)

anyway, wes is a Mess, he doesn’t know wtf love is ( he’s convinced it’s fake af ), he’s an atheist, he has a beagle named duke ( duke was a birthday gift from his brother who was Convinced wes needed some company ) and can’t be found without a flask ( and a weapon ) hidden somewhere on his body.

his brother is a Huge wanted connection w a zane holtz fc 

has a huge flame arm tattoo bc of the fire that p much Saved Him

secretly like 5% soft and he truly does care about the well-being of his gang even tho sometimes it seems like he doesn’t give a shit

some wanted connections:

fuck buddies ( currently corvina, etc. ): ppl wes goes to when he’s high / drunk / in need of touching and they fuck and he leaves around 2 in the morning ( can be considered as hypersexual & he’s also bisexual, doesn’t really give a fuck bc God ppl are Hot but he doesn’t think about himself as bisexual bc he just likes ppl why tf u need to name it as something )

neighbors: wes lives in an apartment building like two blocks from lou’s?? he lives on the third floor and has a dog named duke that can tend to bark sometimes but if u come to his door and complain about his dog he will fucking shoot u

childhood friends / enemies / etc: someone from his younger years. he’s lived in new york all his life so there’s a good chance he went to high school with someone in the gang. he was kind of notorious in school for being an asshole who got detention p much everyday?? or it can just be someone he’s known for a long time / before the gang?? would prob know about the house fire his dad died in bc it was a huge news story at the time

drinking partners: ok wes would rather drink alone but he doesn’t mind company as long as they can sit there and drink in silence?? also bonus points if you bring the alcohol

someone who was close to one of his targets: i could see this being a rookie more than anyone because of their new status to the gang?? but just someone who knew one of wes’ targets and maybe they’re still upset or they’re angry??

someone that drags wes out of his apartment: ok this man lit sits in his apartment w a beer in his hand all damn day and night if he aint workin so someone needs to be close enough with him to where they can b like “yo, let’s go to lou’s, i’ll buy you a drink” and he’ll be like haha okay ( he is easily bribed )

ride or die: this boy needs a bff and someone who he Won’t fuck

THERE U GO !! THAT’S MY BOY !! that was a Lot but i love him and we should plot so Like This !!

[naminechan]

Tbh the last two years have been the loudest battles with thoughts of suicide for me. I remember the first time I ever considered it; I was six years old and I had climbed onto the roof of an old barn in the backyard of my childhood house. The cops came and talked me down. It's been 20 years since then and I am clawing my way through each day, struggling to push down these more developed suicidal ideations.

I never used to cry all that often, now I cry all the time. My therapist says it's growing pains. I'm having to look back on all the horrific shit that has happened to and around me. I desperately want this to all be worth it, and soon. 26 is such bullshit. I'm angry at all of the injustices of this life and I'm angry at humanity in general. I'm devastated by my hindsight. I was so stupid. I'm still so fucking stupid.

Vitamins help. Water helps. Sunlight. Jogging. I haven't drawn in a while. Everything I make feels ugly. I quit smoking 3 months ago. I look a little healthier, I think. ATLA is helping. The Zuko arc is making me cry a lot. Angry boi, just like me.

I want to be more. I want to be giant. I want to feel like I was never that person. I want to put years between me and those places, those people, those decisions. I want to bury the needless shame and build my new life. I've been alone too long and I want a fucking family. I want to enjoy being alive.

I feel such gratitude for my tiny garden. I've tended to these friendships and found real, pure and selfless love with my beautiful partner. I'd never known unconditional love before I met you. ❤ You're helping me learn to love too. (🎶If I could begin to be half of what you think of me, I would do about anything, I could even learn how to love like you.🎶)

I've survived a lot and I didn't become a tweaker or get pregnant, so I guess that's a win. I'm good at things when I really try. I've drawn some cool stuff (I just need to practice). I've written/accomplished things like writing a book when I was 15, (it was terrible, but I finished it!), published my poetry in college, was on the honor roll, had multiple art shows (now mature enough to not get hammered at those things anymore lol), financed my first car, wrote a screenplay, and built a program for youth victims of human trafficking last year (my job is excruciatingly high stress, but I pulled thru). I'm fucking exhausted, but despite the PTSD, I'm alive and I did some shit.

And I can do more shit! I have a high ass GPA so bitch is goin back to school for real. I want to do so much! I have fucking interests! I'm just trying not to be anxiety's bitch rn! Quarantine is a mf! But I'm utilizing the time to fuckin work on m'self! I've been hiking n shit and I just started reading a gotdamn paperback bitch! Intellectual af! Also still cute as hell! I CAN FUCKIN DO THIS! I DON'T KNOW WHO NEEDS TO HEAR THIS BUT IF YOU READ THIS YOU CAN DO THIS! U A BAD BITXH!

It's all uncertain and scary, but I want to do it. I choose to keep living. How tf I'm gonna bail out before I even get to thrive? I'm going to keep creating for myself and keep striving for better things. It's not over yet, and for every shitty thing anyone has ever said to me, I can think of a million times people have said I have talent, purpose, kindness, wit, and potential. I'm going to rewrite my life.

[halfgurlhalfamazin]

My life has been interesting these past few months since I've last blogged! Where should I start Hmmmm.....

A couple months ago I asked "What is my purpose?"

Guess what! I figured it out!

My purpose is to live life and adapt to the constant changes around me.

No, think about it.

How can one have a specific "purpose" when different factors can potentially change that respective "purpose"?

Are skills a thing? Yes. Are some people just naturally better at other things than others? Yes. Does one have a stronger desire to do something over something else? Yes.

Just because you possess the skills, the talent, the desire for something, doesn't always mean that is your purpose. It could just mean that's something you are just good at 👀👀���.

Purposes in life aren't real 🗣🗣

We don't even know the purpose of LIFE so how can we say we know our purpose in life?

Yes, I went there. Why the fuck are we here? I don't want to hear a script from the Bible either.

Long story long, I don't stress over a purpose in life anymore. I'm just out here living, baby. You want me to tell you what is real? Happiness. Do what makes you HAPPY. Give your time to people who make you HAPPY. Be mf happy! 😘😘😘

[startrailsiv]

I certainly never would have thought avant garde science fiction and entrance test preparation manuals for law or medical school would have anything in common–until I came across author, Jay Cutts. Our “meeting” was in a somewhat notorious manner, in that he gave one of my books a rather scathing review, replete with a grammar lesson about the use of periods. However, after my initial tantrum, I had to admit he was correct, so subsequently edited the book accordingly, sent him the revised copy, and he generously improved the book’s rating. It was during this correspondence that I discovered that, in addition to being a grammar Nazi, he was a fellow author as well as a professional editor.  After sampling his brand of humor in his novels on his website, I wanted to know more about him, so asked him for an interview. Indeed, he is as diverse and unconventional as I suspected. To wit:

MF: I find it fascinating that your writing spans such diverse writing skills, i.e., editing study guides for the LSAT and MCAT versus the wacky humor of Death by Haggis and Annie Gomez and the Gigantic Foot of Doom. Conveying facts and editing are left brain activities while fiction falls more on the right. Which talent were you aware of first? Does one come more easily than the other?

JC: Yes, it’s true that I’ve edited and/or written thousands of pages of science and logic! Actually, it feels to me that real creativity requires both some “organizing” skills and some “wild fantasy” skills. The trick is to keep my imagination from going crazy when I’m writing non-fiction stuff. My publisher has to make sure I haven’t included bizarre aliens in my test prep materials. In the LSAT book I did include a logic dialogue between my dog (Baxter) and the neighbor’s dog (Beardsley). I finally confessed to my editor but she said not to worry. All authors do that. Of course, the dialogue was pure fiction because Baxter NEVER talks to Beardsley, stuck-up little mutt that he is.

MF: I can see that. And cats are even worse. Tell us about your educational background. Where did you go to school, what did you major in when you were in college, etc. If you were to go back to school now, what would you study?

JC: I went to the University of Michigan, where I tried to major in (in chronological order) chemistry and/or cooking, psychology, anthropology, and linguistics. I eventually managed to complete the linguistics degree. Many  years later I got a masters in special education.

If I were to go back to school now, I would be anxious for summer vacation to come! I have always loved summer vacation more than anything.

If I had to take classes, they would be in dance and jazz piano.

MF: I can relate. Summer was always my favorite, too. Who are your favorite authors? Whose work do you enjoy most and why? Did any one in particular influence you more than the others?

JC: Terry Pratchett is my favorite. He has a wonderful sense of humor, a great imagination and really captures the human condition. I’ve never read anyone else with his combination of qualities. I also like Kage Baker, Jasper Fforde, Connie Willis, and Douglas Adams. I once read a Terry Pratchett novel in Slovak. It’s amazing how well he writes in Slovak!!

MF: I’m impressed that you can read Slovak! What’s the most unusual job you’ve ever had? What did you learn from it? Has it affected your writing in any way?

JC: I once cleaned houses. It affected my writing in that my hands were too sore to write!

MF: Harsh detergents can do that. Tell us about the concept behind your books. How did you get the idea for them? Do they have a hidden message?

JC: Death by Haggis had a very interesting genesis (as explained in its intro.) I have an old friend, Terry Boothman, who is a great writer with a wonderful sense of humor. We often email back and forth a dozen or more times  a day with riddles and jokes.

At one point I suggested to him that he send me the first line for a novel and that I would write back. Continuing in that way I figured we could complete the book in a couple weeks. He did send me a wacky first line and I responded.

I found that every time I tried to develop a plot, he instinctively destroyed whatever I had started. That made for an amazing challenge. Eventually he dropped out of the project and let me finish it myself. The basic plot and characters of the story, however, were set in those early exchanges that were random and chaotic.

I wrote Annie Gomez and the Gigantic Foot of Doom because one of my Barron’s (test prep publisher) contacts said they were now publishing YA fiction. I asked him if he had a particular request for a type of story that he thought could sell. He said I could just write whatever I wanted.

A year later I sent him the result, which he said was very nice but they don’t really publish sci fi. Oops.

In any case the character of Annie was inspired in part by my granddaughter and I hope some day she will read it!

MF: For what it’s worth, I gave a copy of it to my granddaughter for Christmas and I hope she’ll read it, too! Maybe even give you a review, since she’s an aspiring author herself so should appreciate the concept of reviews! What is your life like outside of writing?  Is there anything you would like us to know about yourself and your books?

JC: When I’m not writing, I sometimes take a three minute break for a sponge bath and to open a random can of, hopefully, food from the kitchen.

Just kidding.

I like to dance (especially with my sweetie), play the accordion and piano, garden, travel, study strange languages, go to meditation retreats and roller skate with my granddaughter.

MF: My paternal grandfather was a linguist, but he had the ill-grace to die before I was born. Supposedly, he spoke nine languages. You’re a brave soul to roller skate, which I gave up in 9th grade after breaking my tailbone. Who (living or dead) would you like to invite for dinner? What would you like to know about him or her?

JC: I would invite the living. It’s hard to know what to cook for the dead. They are so picky. And I hate it when the food dribbles out of their mouths like that. Yuck.

MF: There’s that logic side of yours coming out again. Switching to the creative, is there any particular song you’d pick to go with your books?

JC: House of the Rising Sun. Three drunk guys once paid me $20 to play it on the accordion on the streets of Tempe, Arizona. I have a feeling that the next day, they wondered what happened to all their money.

No but seriously folks, I did produce a trailer for Death by Haggis and it has some cool detective-y music. It’s on youtube here. If the book is ever made into a movie, it could have some eery Scottish music in it. And of course some Greek music when the hero arrives in the Aegean.

I’ve never thought about music for Annie Gomez and the Gigantic Foot of Doom. It’s about teens so I suppose it would have to have some godawful rap music in it. Just sayin’.

MF: Will there be a sequel to Annie Gomez and the Giant Foot of Doom or Death by Haggis? If so, do you have anything you’d like to tell us about it or a target day for its release?

JC: I don’t have plans for sequels for either. I’m waiting for all you fans to beg me desperately to write more.  In the meantime I’ve been very much enjoying writing short stories. I’ve poured my heart and funny bone (assuming one can pour a funny bone) out into them.

I’m thinking of publishing a collection of short stories woven together by an overall story, possibly based on a Time Lizard, who may just happen to have appeared – though not identified as such – as a character in Annie Gomez.

MF: Some of these characters who just appear are among the best. Anything else you’d like to tell your existing and potential readers and fans?

JC: Eat a nectarine. Half a peach, half a plum. It’s a hell of a fruit. And never run for a bus. Just stroll, jaunty jolly. (Shamelessly quoted from Mel Brooks’ 2000 year old man.)

Other than that, if you like humor in your sci fi/fantasy and admire writers like Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams, please do browse through my website at cuttsbooks.wordpress.com

I also send free short stories monthly to my Twitter followers. I’m at @jaycuttsbooks.

Thanks for allowing me to do an interview. I enjoy being in touch with readers and writers!

MF: Thank you, Jay, for sharing your wit! I hope my blog readers check out your books, which can be found on Amazon by following these links:

Annie Gomez and the Gigantic Foot of Doom

Death by Haggis

What do Wacky Sci-Fi, the LSAT, and MCAT have in Common? I certainly never would have thought avant garde science fiction and entrance test preparation manuals for law or medical school would have anything in common--until I came across author, Jay Cutts.

[bornfreelyblog]

What I'm writing, it should be in a damn blog post but most of my followers don't read that so I'm going to put this into one big long Facebook post.

Most of the time it's nobody holding back our success but us. We tend to not apply ourselves nor utilize the smallest resources that's right in front of us. A lot of y'all sit and scroll social media and watching your peers' life story instead of creating one of your own. A lot y'all sit around and watch the next person's success crumble so you and a group of your peers can sit back and laugh (these are the same people who wants to be successful) then you have the nerve to say you're not in competition with anyone but yourself. You are right but in reality being in competition with yourself is your downfall. If you looked at yourself in the mirror and truly studied your everyday moves to get to the point you are trying to go, how hard are you working? Some of y'all are doing the bare damn minimum to simply get by. Some of y'all don't even read to perfect your craft. Some of y'all complain about resources but have so called friends you won't even utilize to help them become resourceful. Some of y'all won't link up with people in the same field as you because you are afraid they will become successful before you. Some of y'all are afraid to share a little information with someone because you are afraid that they may get ahead of you. Some of y'all are afraid to lose money before the success begins. Some of y'all don't even have anything left to lose but you are still so afraid to lose the little you have because you are in constant fear of what others perception of you might be. (My motto is: if you ain't got shit to lose that's when you should be working the damn hardest). Some of y'all so stuck on your past, struggles, hardships, relationships that you don't know how to move forward to begin something new. Your problems, struggles, past doesn't define you nor your destiny it just helped shape you and mold you into becoming the best person you can be. Some of y'all so called friends who still stuck in the past are hindering you because if you changed: oh you ain't "real" anymore. Some of your family don't believe in your dreams so you belittle yourself just so you can remain accepted. Some of y'all complain so much about things that's out of your control that you lose focus of your true purpose. Some of y'all be so worried about the next person that you don't realize that person can give two shits about you. Some of y'all rather listen to negativity and criticism about the next person come up then to reach out to that individual to see what did you do to get thus far? Some of y'all look at popularity on social media instead of looking at how talented this mf maybe. Some of y'all knew about this person past and since you say he or she is a "hoe, liar, stupid or whatever in their past they can't change because your ass stuck in the past so you think they can't be successful and you can't congratulate him or her because of your insecurities. Some of y'all are so small minded that when you see someone doing something you don't agree with or accustom to, you get a group of people together to bash him or her to help scandalize their name (if you haven't noticed you can only talk about someone with another person because if you talk about them to yourself it make you sound really stupid). Some of y'all so messy that you don't think how it affect your clientele. Yes the people laughing with you knowing you have a business is truly laughing at you. Some of y'all want these relationships so bad that you don't even know how to have a relationship with your damn self. So yes being in competition with yourself can be your biggest downfall because you really don't see your full potential to being successful because you have more doubt and jealousy within yourself to see someone else in the same field as you being more successful than you so you knock them down or you talk bad about them to your peers. Not to mention you sit back and watch all their moves and not once have you reached out to see how they did it.

This could have been a blog post but the majority of y'all still don't know I have a website because y'all think I "model" and just be posting pics. My blog has no filter and to be honest that's what I love for my followers to see. I'm not perfect and I fuck up all the time but that's me and can't anyone define me but me. I want my followers to be able to be Born Freely while living their Naked Truth. (Www.bornfreely.com)

Naked Truth

[bthenoise]

From Childhood Idols To Metalcore Money, Members of Varials Detail Their Start In Music

After just one listen to Varials’ brutal beatdown of a song “The New Damnation,” the blistering opener off their 11-track slobberknocker Pain Again, no one would probably expect the five band members to be a fun-loving group of guys looking to follow in their parents’ footsteps. 

See, in the hardcore community, rarely are you ever allowed to smile, make jokes or, god forbid, have a little fun. Usually when it comes to most "heavy” bands, fans expect artists to be a cold and rabid collection of dudes practically foaming at the mouth 24/7. 

Sure, on stage Varials are as brutal as they come. If you’re looking to blow off steam and let loose with a little slam dancing, the Philly five-piece is a solid choice. Offstage, however, vocalist Travis Tabron, guitarists Mitch Rogers and James Hohenwarter, bassist Mike Foley and drummer Sean Rauchut just like to enjoy themselves and write music showing off the musical abilities they inherited from their parents.

That’s another thing about the young upstart outfit. Unlike a lot of bands out there, a few of the members received their musical talents from their parents. Take Mitch, for example. His dad is a drummer and his mom is a singer who performed regularly while pregnant with him. Both of which actually helped push him towards teaching young guitar players in afterschool programs. Then there’s Travis. Like Mitch, he also has a father who likes drum beats -- drum beats that lean more on the hip-hop side of things since his dad is a rapper.             

Now as you can probably already tell, Varials isn’t your typical hardcore beatdown band. For that reason, we wanted to reach out and get to know the guys a little bit better and understand how they got started. To check out our in-depth interview with the band, be sure to see below. Afterwards, if you’ve yet to pick up their punishing LP Pain Again, be sure to do so here.  

Where did you grow up? And was there a music scene where you grew up?

Travis Tabron (Vocals): I grew up in the Philadelphia area and there was always a music scene for most kinds of music.

Mitch Rogers (Guitar): Chalfont/Bucks County, PA. When I first started going to local shows the scene was so sick. There was a show every weekend. You could see bands like Balance And Composure or The Wonder Years at local churches or halls. I used to see so many insane bands at The Moose Lodge in Doylestown.

James Hohenwarter (Guitar): I grew up in North Wales, PA and I still live here! I was introduced to the local scene in about 2009, from there I met a lot of people (including the other guys) that I'm still good friends with today!

Sean Rauchut (Drums): I grew up in a small town in PA called North Wales. My dad always played in bands so I grew up going to see him and then found a local metalcore scene on my own. It was sick back then.

Mike Foley (Bass): I grew up in Audubon, Pennsylvania, a small suburb a little outside of Philadelphia. I started playing guitar when I was in 8th grade, about 13 years old, and instantly fell in love with playing music. I started going to shows when I was probably about 15 or 16 and the local scene was doing really well at that point. It's actually really funny, I remember seeing bands Sean, James and Travis were in at the time before I even knew any of them now here we are all together playing music.

What were you doing before Varials formed? 

TT: Making music in local bands or making music/beats by myself.

MR: I was actually touring with a different band and had been since I was nineteen. I joined Varials after I left that band last year.

JH: I was going to community college, when suddenly one day after school Sean had the idea to start the band, so we headed back to my house and recorded the first song!

SR: I always worked random jobs but I tried college for a semester and wrote the first Varials song on my first day. Then bombed out of all my classes and dropped out to pursue the band.

MF: Before Varials I was in school and playing in another band with Mitch. Me and Sean knew of each other but were never really super close at the time, then one day he messaged me asking to fill in a show for Varials (knowing my bass rig was POPPIN). At that point, I was like WOW that was sick and I think the rest of them felt the same way and they ended up asking me to join. Which ended up working perfectly cause my other band was kinda falling apart at the same time. So shortly after things start picking up more with Varials, I made the decision to drop out of school and pursue the band and start working full time instead. Parents were NOT happy at first haha.

Who or what influenced you to start playing music?

TT: I've always been playing music my whole life.

MR: Almost everyone in my family plays an instrument or sings, many have done it professionally for a long time. I grew up surrounded by music and going to see my parents or grandfather play gigs. I don't remember a time where I wasn't learning and playing an instrument. Musically, I still find my biggest influences for me more dreamy/shoegazy stuff and that's how I've always been.

JH: It honestly just sort of happened for me. I learned to appreciate music more after I started playing guitar.

SR: My dad for the most part. Also being around other kids at a young age who wanted to be musicians so I thought it would be cool if I got good at it haha.

MF: My dad was in a band when he was a teenager too and my grandfather was a great pianist but I'm the first of my family to take music more seriously.

Who’s the band(s) that got you into heavy music?

TT: Rage.

MR: Linkin Park, Coheed, and especially Slipknot. I remember seeing the video for "My Plague" on the DVD for the original Resident Evil movie and I was hooked.

JH: I want to say Chiodos, at least as the first band that I listened to that really had those screamo vocals, ya know?

SR: The bands that got me into heavy music were Slipknot and Chiodos.

MF: I started getting into heavy music around the same time I started playing music, some of the bands getting me into it being Rise Against and Linkin Park then eventually branching off into heavier stuff.

If you could collaborate with any artist of your choice who would it be?

TT: J Dilla

MR: Frank Ocean...or maybe Chino from Deftones...or Lil Uzi...That would be the hardest decision of my life.

JH: I'm not totally sure. Definitely someone who has nothing to do with heavy music.

SR:  I would love to collaborate on any style of music with Dave Grohl or Jack White.

What have you learned since being in the music industry?

TT: There's a lot more work that goes into making a record professionally than I expected.

MR: Don't let anyone knock you down. Do you and don't take anyone's bullshit.

JH: I always wanted to learn (and have) how things work behind the scenes, things that people don't see that build up to be the face of the band.

SR: I learned that it takes you from being in a band with your friends having pure fun to being a serious business. I focus more on business now then I do just writing sick songs haha.

Best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?

TT: The art of being tasteful - Josh Schroeder

MR: Don't always base your decisions off of pleasing others

JH: Don't tie yourself to one specific thing in the industry. Learn the ins and outs so that your career doesn't end if the band itself does.

SR:  I had a friend give me some pointers back then and I ended up accomplishing more than they did. It's kinda hilarious I had absolutely no idea what I was really doing. Just write good songs and market your band the right way. And don't forget to always have fun.

What does the future hold for Varials?

TT: Weirder music

MR: More tours, more music...hopefully play out of the US as soon as we can.

JH: Everything and everything!

SR: We're just gonna take this band to its fullest potential and ride the wave while we can.

MF: Pain Again has been getting great feedback and I can't wait to see what the upcoming year has in store. Touring outside of the country is high up there on the goal list for me for 2017/2018 so we’ll see if that happens.

What would you like to be remembered for? Musically or not.

TT: Lyricism and composition.

MR: I just hope one day when I'm dead people still listen to music my friends and I made. It's hard to actually leave something behind that lasts forever but music never dies so…

JH: My ways around things - my Macgyver-like resourcefulness.

SR: The kid who made sacrifices and went for what he wanted and accomplished it.

Better moment: Signing to Fearless, releasing Pain Again or seeing money printed with Travis’ face on it?

TT: Releasing Pain Again

MR: As much as I love the fake money...seeing the whole process from the outside and then joining was a little weird for me at first...but everything about making and releasing Pain Again made me feel like a real part of the band, so that for sure.

JH: Releasing Pain Again, it's an album I couldn't wait for everyone to hear!

SR: Definitely signing to Fearless haha.

MF: Getting signed to Fearless was such a huge achievement for me personally, and the band as a whole. [It’s] something I've dreamed of since being a young kid.