#jules kounde series

[snowseasonmademe]

La terre a besoin de l’océan (chapter 1)

word count: 1,341

pairing: Jules Koundé x Imani Taylor

summary: Poet and new mother Imani is navigating life after birth, co-parenting her daughter with the man she once thought she’d marry—Barcelona footballer Jules Koundé. Though their relationship ended, the love between them never truly disappeared, simmering beneath shared responsibilities and lingering touches. As they rebuild trust and reimagine their future, Imani must decide if the life she walked away from is the one she’s meant to return to.

fc: @/ tatyanaalii_

tag list: @sucredreamer @irishmanwhore @dexastres @coffeevacation @goldenngt @btslover117 @kennaskorner

@leighjadeclimbedmtkilimanjaro

@jessnotwiththemess @thepointlessideas

note: i will make this quick :) the recurring dream i’ve been having made me write this and there’s so much to the story it couldn’t just be a one time fic! as always, enjoy and tell me what you think🤍!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The scent of jasmine tea drifted through the apartment, curling into corners and settling in the silence of the early morning. It was quiet in a way that only homes with babies could be—calm, delicate, filled with the weight of knowing at any moment that stillness could be interrupted by a single cry.

Imani stood in the kitchen wrapped in a soft robe, a warm mug cupped between her palms. Her braids were pulled into a loose ponytail at the back her head, a few baby hairs framing her face. There were faint shadows beneath her eyes, not quite from exhaustion, but from thought. Her days always started like this now—quiet reflection before the real world called.

She sipped slowly, eyes flickering toward the hallway, just in time to hear the low creak of the floorboards. Jules appeared a moment later, barefoot with black sweats and a block top, Danielle nestled sleepily against his shoulder. The baby’s tiny hand clutched at the fabric of his tank top, her cheek pressed against his warm skin.

His voice, low and rough with sleep, filled the kitchen like a melody she hadn’t heard in a while.

“Morning.”

Imani glanced up at him, a tired smile tugging at the edge of her lips. “Morning.”

Danielle made a small sound in her sleep, a soft exhale, and Imani reached for her automatically. But Jules hesitated, just for a second, arms tightening around their daughter. He pressed a kiss to her curly head, eyes soft before he passed her into her mother’s arms.

“You should still be in bed,” Imani said, cradling Danielle against her chest. “Didn’t you get in late last night?”

“Had to hold her,” he murmured with a shrug, running a hand over his face. “She was crying, and I think she wanted her papa.”

Imani’s gaze lingered on him longer than she meant to. His locs were still damp from a shower, and his skin glowed from sleep. Fatherhood looked good on Jules. It always had. Even when things between them shifted, that part never changed.

She turned away.

Jules moved to the counter, pouring coffee with familiar ease. His body was cut in soft, defined lines—his back, his chest, the thick strength of his legs. Imani had spent so many mornings tracing them with her fingertips, back when their love was still brand new and electric. Back when everything had moved faster than they expected.

Six months into their relationship, she found out she was pregnant.

The news hit her like a wave—gentle but overwhelming. She’d been in Paris for a poetry event, heart still humming from the high of another sold-out reading when she took the test. She was six weeks along. The call to Jules was quiet, breathy. Her voice trembled.

He didn’t panic. He didn’t even sound shocked. “Okay” he said after a pause. “Let’s figure it out.”

Two weeks later, he helped her move into his apartment in Barcelona. Her 24 and him 25. No idea what they were doing, but determined to do it together.

Their relationship hadn’t always made sense on paper. She was a poet with three globally acclaimed books, her words dissected in academic circles and Instagram captions alike. He was a world-class athlete, intense and private, but wildly devoted. Somehow, it worked. She’d be in the front row at his matches, sunglasses on, not always knowing what was going on but always clapping the loudest. He’d be backstage at her events, leaning against the wall in all black, smiling quietly every time someone asked him, “Are you the Jules she writes about?”

They laughed easily. Fought rarely. Cried when they needed to—once about a major mistake he made, once about her father’s absence, once about nothing at all. He had a way of peeling her open without trying. And god, the sex. She used to joke that his Scorpio placements should be studied. But it wasn’t a joke. He was intense. Focused. Tender in the way his mouth moved against her skin, feral in the way his hands gripped her waist.

That last time they were together like that—intimate, raw—Imani was 26 weeks pregnant.

It had been a long night. They’d just set up the nursery. She was tired, but he was looking at her like she was magic. It was slow. Reverent. Her body swollen, but beautiful in a way neither of them fully understood yet. Afterward, they lay there in silence, her hand resting on her belly, his arm wrapped around her shoulders.

Neither of them said it, but they both knew it would be the last time.

They hadn’t touched like that since.

Their breakup wasn’t a rupture—it was a decision. A quiet one. They both agreed before the baby was born that they didn’t see forever in each other, not in that way. But they loved each other deeply. And that mattered. They’d remain close. Best friends. Parents. Partners in a different kind of way.

Now, they lived together still. For Danielle. For her stability. Imani had suggested it when she was eight weeks pregnant. Jules didn’t hesitate.

They planned to stay under the same roof until Danielle started elementary school—at least. Imani adored living in Spain, but she often thought about moving back to New York when Danielle was a little older. She wanted her daughter to know the rhythm of the city that raised her. To walk the same Brooklyn streets, to feel that pulse beneath her feet. But not yet.

Not yet.

Jules leaned against the counter now, watching her move across the kitchen with their daughter in her arms.

“You’ve been working out again” he said, voice casual, but laced with something warmer.

Imani raised an eyebrow. “Why? You checking me out?”

He didn’t even blink. “Always”

That was the thing with Jules. He never pretended. He still thought she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known. Her body had changed. Softened. Filled out in places she hadn’t expected. She was self-conscious about it sometimes, but Jules? He loved it. He hadn’t seen all of it—just glimpses. The curve of her hips under a towel, the way her thighs pressed together when she lounged in one of his t-shirts, the occasional flash of cleavage when she dressed up for a book signing.

He saw her. And he noticed everything.

Her face had matured too. Her eyes carried more weight now, her cheekbones a little sharper. He adored it more than he admitted.

And him?

Somehow, he’d gotten finer. His arms had grown thicker, veiny and strong from training, the kind that made Danielle look even smaller in his grasp. His legs—she noticed them too. And his face—clean-shaven or scruffy—was almost unfair. That sharp jaw, those deep-set eyes. Even more beautiful now than when they’d first met.

But neither of them did anything about it.

Because co-parenting came first. Always.

“She looks more like you every day,” Imani said suddenly, gaze soft as she looked down at their daughter. “It’s kind of unfair.”

Jules tilted his head, eyes never leaving her. “I think she’s got your spirit though. The fire. That soft heart underneath. She’s gonna be a poet too.”

Imani laughed, rich and full, the kind that came from the belly. The kind that made Jules smile before he could stop himself.

“You really think that?” she asked.

“Yeah, I do.”

There was a pause. A silence that felt like something sacred. A breath of all the things they didn’t say. The past. The love. The not-quite-gone desire.

They lived in that in-between now. No longer lovers. Not quite just friends. Co-parents, yes. But so much more than that. The way he noticed when her tea was almost out. The way she remembered his favorite post-match meal. The way they spoke without speaking. The way their lives were still wrapped around each other, just a little looser than before.

Maybe it wasn’t forever. Maybe it wasn’t love in the way it used to be.

But it was real. And for now, it was enough.

[mauvecherie-writes]

𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞: 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 — 𝐣. 𝐤𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞

— summary: he stumbled across her Instagram page and her beauty was too much ignore or modern day meet cute of the good ole’ sliding in the DMs.

— genre: multi-part series with smau

— warning: none as of yet | very short - more of a visualisation post

— ru’s 💌:this is for my Jules girlies. we’re not catered to enough. if you want to add to my donation pot for a new laptop - click here 💋

oc!nomusa sibanda x jules koundé

love digital : part one!

nomusa

♡ liked by uchjn, jkeey4 and others

nomusa 🌸 a happy girl 🌸

— view 230 comments

user I’ve seen beauty before but this is a discovery 😍.

user happiness suits you so well.

cecewright missed seeing your face.

↳ nomusa cecewright you see me every day?

↳cecewright nomusa it’s not the same.

fanpageuser thank god the hiatus is over 😭 i missed you so much.

↳ nomusa fanpageuser i missed you too 🥹

user you’re so pretty 🥰

nomusa

♡ liked by tolami_benson, jkeey4 and others

nomusa 🦋 butterfly garden 🦋

— view 125 comments

jjsibanda are those my clips??? 🤨

↳ nomusa jjsibanda no …

user with a face like that, you should never want for anything.

user it’s so good seeing your face again 😩 when will you start posting video content?

↳ nomusa user I have some stuff in the works - a life update video for YouTube will be dropping next week.

jkeey4 vous êtes très belle.

↳ nomusa jkeey4 merci beaucoup ☺️

↳ user I am going to be totally normal about this 😃

↳ fanpageuser OH!

↳ cecewright fanpageuser please let’s act like we’ve been here before!!

iMESSAGE:

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💋.

VISUAL BOARD FOR NOMUSA …

reading list: @queenshikongo3 @hopefulromantic1 @melodichaeuxx-lacritquexx @saintslewis @peyiswriting @laneywrld @lettersofgold @iamquiantrelle @saturnville @jessnotwiththemess @cocobutterqwueen @mochachocolatteyaya @greedyjudge2 @melaninpov @pickingupmymercedes @lewisroscoelove @kindan3rdy951 @elyseesarchive @sl33p-deprived-princess @soiguessimtheshit @acidlv @kriegertops @ermlolol @theogbadbitch @trinitoldyouso @ethereal555 @astrorainbow @jazziejax @laylaynaynay130 @khalaaylah @crissrou @cookiecutterzers56 @cameroncrazie13 @shescatrinaxo @wvvkndvibez @st4rgirliesstuff @gwenda-fav @fineanddandy @planetblaque @deja-r @kiraonthegooo @apimp-named-slickback @gojosbabyma @heytaewrites @leilaxaliel @dyttomori @tasteofmyrainboe @livvy-lovess @kaisage45 @planetnique

[amirawrah]

Lowkey in Love ☀️🐚

☀️ summary: Saryn Hamisi Henry lives a beautifully curated life—Thierry Henry’s adopted daughter, a rising star in London’s fashion scene, and always in control of her image. But her heart? That’s another story.

For four months, she’s been quietly falling for Jules Koundé, Barcelona’s smooth, sharp-witted defender. Their romance has been private, passionate, and perfect—until a single photo from a secret getaway in Monaco leaks online, and the world suddenly knows her truth.

Now trending worldwide, Saryn is spiraling. The press is in a frenzy, the fans are dissecting every detail—and the one person who doesn’t know? Her dad.

As Saryn and Jules navigate the chaos of going public, she’s forced to face what she’s been avoiding: love this real can’t stay hidden forever.

☀️ amirah: i've had this idea for a long ass time now and im happy its finally out, lowkey thinking about making a part 2 but if you want lemme know please. enjoy!!!!

The penthouse suite at Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo was supposed to be a sanctuary, a hidden escape where no one could touch them. Instead, Saryn was pacing the marble floors in complete panic while Jules sat on the edge of the bed, trying—and failing—to calm her down.

"Jules, this is insane. This is actually insane!" she nearly shouted, her hands gripping her braids as she stared at her phone. Everywhere she scrolled—Twitter, Instagram, TikTok—her name was trending. Not just hers, but her father’s too. THIERRY HENRY’S DAUGHTER. That’s what the headlines were calling her, as if she wasn’t an entire person on her own.

"Saryn, breathe," Jules said, voice low and soothing, but she whipped around to face him, eyes wide in disbelief.

"Breathe?! BREATHE?! Jules, the entire world just found out you have a girlfriend, and not just any girlfriend, but Thierry Henry’s daughter, and my DAD doesn’t even know about us!" She groaned, shoving her phone towards him. "Look at this! They zoomed in on your lock screen, Jules! That’s literally a crime!"

He took the phone from her hand, eyebrows raising slightly as he watched fans dissecting every little detail. The comments were endless:

JULES HAS A GF???

No way, he’s been soft-launching her this whole time?!

Thierry Henry is about to go full dad mode on him 💀

Not them thinking they were lowkey in Monaco, LMAO we see youuuu

Jules rubbed his temple, letting out a slow breath. "Okay, yeah, this is... a lot. But it’s not like we killed someone, mon amour. We’re just dating."

"Jules, my dad is— and you—" she gestured wildly at him, "—are Jules Koundé. He’s going to freak out."

"He might. But we were going to tell him eventually. Right?" His voice softened. "And I was going to face him like a man. Like I should."

Saryn swallowed, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Yeah, eventually. Like… when I was sure about us. When I knew I—" She stopped, blinking rapidly.

Jules sat up straighter. "When you knew what?" he asked gently.

Before she could answer, her phone buzzed in her hand.

Her stomach dropped.

She didn’t even need to look at the screen to know who it was.

"Is that—?" "Yeah."

She turned the phone around, and there it was. Dad♥️. Incoming call.

Jules let out a breath. "Well… guess we don’t have to wonder how he found out."

Saryn’s heart raced in her chest as the phone vibrated against her palm. She stared at it for a moment, the screen glowing with “Dad”. Her stomach twisted into knots. There was no escaping this. The entire world knew, and now her dad was about to find out.

Jules reached out, brushing his hand over hers. His voice was steady, but there was a flicker of concern in his eyes. “Answer it.”

Saryn swallowed hard. “I can’t. What if he—what if he—doesn’t approve?”

Jules tilted his head, soft but firm. “You’re his daughter, Saryn. He’s going to love you no matter what. You don’t need to worry about me.” He gently nudged the phone back toward her. “You’ve got this.”

She hesitated, glancing at him. His eyes were sincere, but the pressure of the situation still weighed heavily on her chest. Slowly, her finger swiped across the screen, and she put the phone to her ear.

The second she did, her dad’s voice boomed through the phone, even though she wasn’t prepared for the intensity.

"Saryn!" Thierry’s voice was loud, but not angry—more like concerned with a hint of amusement. "Where have you been? What’s all this I’m hearing? The internet’s on fire right now, and I get no heads-up from you?"

Her heart skipped a beat. "Dad, I—"

"Listen, I know you didn’t mean for it to get out this way. But you’ve got to talk to me, Saryn." Thierry’s voice softened, but there was still that fatherly tone. "It’s been a lot, huh? Seeing your name out there like that?"

Saryn took a deep breath. "I was going to tell you. I swear. I just—I wanted to make sure this was real first. I didn’t want to rush anything." She glanced at Jules, who was watching her with a small, understanding smile.

Thierry paused, as though weighing his words carefully. "I understand that, sweetheart. I do. You’re my girl, and I want what’s best for you. But Jules Koundé?" He chuckled softly, a knowing edge in his voice. "You didn’t think I’d need to know about that one? The footballer who’s been turning heads for years? Not exactly lowkey, huh?"

Saryn winced, but her dad’s tone wasn’t scolding—it was more like he was trying to find humor in the situation.

"Look, Dad," she said, taking a steadying breath, "I’m sure about him. I wouldn’t bring him to you if I wasn’t."

Thierry let out a soft exhale, his voice turning gentler. "Alright, baby girl. I trust you. I know you know what’s best for you. But I will meet this man sooner or later." He let out a short laugh. "And Jules, he better be ready for me."

Saryn felt a huge weight lift off her chest, the tightness easing from her shoulders. She smiled, grateful for her dad’s unexpected support. "I will, I promise. I’ll bring him to you."

Thierry’s tone softened even more. "Take your time. I get it. But you better believe, when I meet him, I’m not holding back."

Saryn laughed softly, the tension in her chest starting to fade completely. "I’ll make sure you two have a chance to talk, I swear."

"Alright, alright. I’ll let you go for now. But I’ll expect a face-to-face soon, Saryn. I’m not getting any younger."

"I will, Dad. I promise." Her voice was lighter now, her hand clutching Jules’s as he gave her a gentle squeeze.

The call ended, and she let out a long sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing for the first time in what felt like hours.

Jules stood up, slowly making his way toward her, watching her closely. “You good?”

Saryn nodded, still smiling softly. “Yeah. He’s mad, but in a dad way. He’s… okay with it, I think.”

Jules smiled, his eyes lighting up with that same quiet confidence. “I’ll take that.”

Saryn leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Thanks for being patient with me, Jules. I didn’t mean to keep this from you, but… I had to be sure.”

“I understand,” he whispered, kissing the top of her head. “And now we’re in this together. We’re gonna be fine.”

She pulled back to look at him, a playful glint in her eye. "Now that we've survived my dad... I think we might just be okay."

The call with her dad had left Saryn feeling a strange mix of relief and vulnerability. She couldn’t believe it. Her father, of all people, was understanding and accepting. But still, the overwhelming pressure from the world outside was starting to settle in her chest again.

Jules moved toward her, silently crossing the room, and knelt in front of her, his hands gently cupping her face. He tilted her chin up to meet his eyes, his gaze soft but intense.

"Saryn," he murmured, his voice low and steady.

She swallowed, her heart still racing, but there was something in his eyes—something calming—that made her want to listen.

Jules’s thumb gently stroked her lower lip, his gaze tracing the curve of her mouth. "Je suis là. Tu n'as plus à avoir peur. Plus avec moi." (I’m right here. You don’t have to be scared anymore. Not with me.)

She looked at him, her breath catching in her throat. The intensity of the moment was almost too much to bear. Saryn’s gaze flickered from his lips back to his eyes, her thoughts swimming. Her heart hammered harder against her ribcage, and before she could stop herself, she leaned in, closing the space between them.

Jules didn’t hesitate for a second. He met her halfway, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was slow at first, as if testing the waters.

But the kiss deepened quickly, the need to feel each other taking over. Saryn’s hands moved to his shoulders, pulling him closer, her fingers trailing down the muscles of his back. She felt his breath on her skin, the heat of his body mingling with hers.

Jules’s hands slid to her waist, lifting her effortlessly so she was sitting in his lap. She gasped slightly, the sudden proximity making her pulse quicken.

"Saryn," Jules breathed against her lips, his voice thick with desire. "Laisse-moi t'aider à te détendre, bébé." (Let me help you relax, baby.)

Her body responded before her mind could catch up, her hands sliding into his hair, pulling him closer as her kiss became more urgent. Saryn could feel her tension melting with every touch, every gentle but heated kiss.

Jules’s hands slid under her shirt, his fingertips brushing her skin in a way that made her shiver. The soft contact sent a wave of heat coursing through her, and she couldn’t stop herself from responding, her body arching toward him.

"Saryn," he whispered again, his voice a little rough now. "Laisse-moi prendre soin de toi." (Let me take care of you.)

She nodded, her head falling back against the couch as his lips traced down her neck, his hands gently pulling her shirt off, exposing more of her skin. The room seemed to spin as they lost themselves in the intimacy of the moment, the outside world fading away.

Jules’s kisses grew more desperate, more heated, as if he could feel the storm inside of her and wanted to calm it. His hands roamed, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake. Saryn's breath quickened, and she could feel her heart race again, but this time it was for an entirely different reason.

Everything outside their little world, all the chaos, the stress—it didn’t matter right now. They were here, together, and that was all that mattered.

.☀️.

The golden morning sun filtered in through the sheer curtains of the penthouse suite. The room was still, wrapped in the soft hush of early hours, broken only by the faint hum of the city waking up below.

Saryn stirred slowly, curled into Jules' chest, his arm slung loosely around her waist. His skin was warm against hers, steady breaths rising and falling beneath her cheek. For a few blissful seconds, she kept her eyes closed, letting the quiet of their little bubble stretch just a bit longer.

Jules shifted, brushing a kiss into her hair, his voice gravelly from sleep. “You awake, mon ange?”

“Mmhmm,” she mumbled, voice low and soft. “Barely.”

He smiled, holding her tighter. “Good. Because I’ve been thinking…”

“That’s dangerous,” she teased, cracking one eye open.

He laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest. “Rude. But no—for real. Since… everything’s out now, I was thinking… maybe you should come to my next match?”

She blinked, pulling back just enough to look up at him. “Your match? As in… sit in the stands? In Barcelona?”

He nodded, brushing his thumb across her cheek. “Yeah. No sneaking. No hiding. Just you—being there. With me.”

Saryn hesitated, lips parting to answer but no words came out immediately. She bit her bottom lip, eyes flickering with uncertainty.

“I mean…” she began slowly. “That’s kind of… public, Jules.”

“I know,” he said gently. “And I get why it’s a lot. But you don’t have to sit in the middle of the crowd, you know. You can be in the family box. Private. Comfortable. And I’ll know you’re there.”

She exhaled, her fingers tracing lazy lines across his bare chest as she thought. It was tempting. The idea of supporting him, of being in the same space while he did what he loved. But it was also… official. Real.

He watched her closely. “You don’t have to say yes now. I just… I want you there. Every time I look into the crowd, I want to see you. That’s all.”

A smile slowly broke across her face—soft, sincere, and full of affection. “You’re kinda hard to say no to.”

His grin widened. “So that’s a yes?”

“That’s a yes,” she whispered, eyes gleaming.

He didn’t say anything. Just kissed her—deep, slow, full of gratitude and something heavier than words.

And maybe it was the tenderness in the moment or the heat lingering between them, but something shifted as he rolled over her gently, letting the sheets slip down her body. He kissed her again, slower this time, trailing his lips from her mouth to her jaw, then down her neck.

Saryn’s breath caught, fingers weaving into his curls as his mouth continued lower, whispering kisses across her chest, her stomach—worshipping every inch of her like she was made of gold and silk.

“You’re sure?” he asked, pausing, eyes locking with hers from between her thighs.

She bit her lip, nodding. “Yes.”

And then he disappeared beneath the sheets, and everything else—Barcelona, the fans, the headlines—faded away.

All that mattered was her. And him. And the way he made her feel like the only girl in the world.

[coffeevacation]

Hii

Hii tumblr,

finally decided to make a blog where I actually post something🫣. This blog is gonne be strictly vibes, no weird shit. You can call me Zaza (thats obv not my real name). I love football, music and pretty men. I'm a dutchie so my team is a dutch team (Feyenoord), but I also follow Inter Milan and Liverpool.

As you can see in my bio, I also love the french🥰. They're the one and only pretty fc. Maybe one day I'll start writing fics, for now I'm just here for some friendsss :)

In terms of music i love some R&B, Daniel Caesar is on repeat for me rn. Top artist this year was Queen B. And I love me a little bit of hiphop/rap. Secretly a Future fan hehe.

Please feel free to start a convo (about literally anything) I wont bite (unless you like)😌

[muglermami]

since i'm not a writer on here, I thought i'd recommend some of my favorite series that I have re-read or will be re-reading in anticipation for more parts

@amirawrah once in a lifetime- william saliba series also her relationship side series about her various players (so far my fav one has been the William saliba edition)

@iamquiantrelle EVERYTHING by her but the new wag in town- William saliba has been one I've found myself going back to the most also playing for keeps- jules kounde

@writerofautumnnights just found this gem of a writer and she's currently fueling my jobe obsession(sidenote: I feel like I'm more of a jobe girl than a jude girl) the unspoken connection-jobe belliingham

@v6quewrlds a lot of her stuff is amazing but she just started a justin herbert au(for lack of a better word???) as a continuation from one of my FAVORITE EVER one shots the original work that drew me in her NSFW alphabet for justin herbert the continuation is "the love I have for you"

my QUEEN @saintslewis renaissance series for lewis hamilton has kept me in it's clutches for the past 2 years. i know she's going through some writer's block but she'll be back soon(and everyone better tune in!)

okay thanks for tuning into my series recs(should I do one for one shots?)

okay BYEEEEE

[szariahwroteit]

During this little mini break I have been semi-plotting a single mother x Jules Kounde erotic series… 😫😍

[808heartz]

☆*:.｡808HEARTZ PRESENTS:

Brighter Days Ahead: The Series..｡.:*☆

Songfics inspired by “Eternal Sunshine: Brighter Days Ahead” by Ariana Grande.

This songfic series will mostly entail angsty fics, given the nature and vibe of the album. Depending on the song, some may be social media aus. Fluff and smut aren’t entirely promised, but as always, I’ll try my best. Fics more than likely won’t be posted in order either.

Underneath the cut, you’ll find the tracks and the corresponding person for the fics. I hope you enjoy. :)

1. intro (end of the world), “how can i tell if i’m in the right relationship? aren’t you supposed to know that shit?” — erling haaland x reader

2. bye, “at least i know how hard we tried, both you and me. didn’t we? didn’t we?” — omar marmoush x reader

3. don’t wanna break up again, “hope you won’t, won’t regret me. hope you still think fondly of our little life” — martin odegaard x reader

4. saturn returns interlude, “it’s time for you to get real about life and sort out who you really are” — ruben dias x reader

5. eternal sunshine, “you’re just my eternal sunshine, sunshine” — social media au, phil foden x famous!reader

6. supernatural, “this love’s possessing me, but i don’t mind at all. it’s like supernatural” — florian wirtz x reader

7. true story, “i’ll play the villain if you need me to, i know how this goes” — dominik szboszlai x reader

8. the boy is mine, “and god knows i’m trying but there’s no denying, the boy is mine, i can’t wait to try him” — jules kounde x reader

9. yes, and?, “why do you care whose — i ride? why? yes, and?” — social media au, william saliba x famous!reader

10. we can’t be friends (wait for your love), “wait until you like me again, wait for your love” — fermin lopez x gavira!reader

11. i wish i hated you, “i wish you were worse to me, yeah, i wish i hated you” — jude bellingham x reader

12. imperfect for you, “messy, completely distressed, but i’m not like that since i met you. imperfect for you” — leandro trossard x reader

13. ordinary things, “there’s never gonna be an ordinary thing as long as i’m with you” — pablo gavi x reader

14. twilight zone, “not that i miss you, i don’t. sometimes, i just can’t believe you happened” — social media au, kylian mbappe x famous!reader

15. warm, “never thought i’d find another could fly at my pace, if you dare, meet me there” — pedri gonzalez x reader

16. dandelion, “if i’m being honest, you can get anything you’d like. can’t you see i bloom at night? boy, just don’t blow this” — gabriel martinelli x reader

17. past life, “i used to think you were the medicine, but you were just code blue” — riccardo calafiori x reader

18. hampstead, “i can’t imagine wanting so badly to be right, guess i’m forever on your mind, i wonder why” — social media au, trent alexander arnold x famous!reader

[hufflepuffhabs]

Felt like making a new one regarding the aftermath of Sunday's game and all the friendly encounters we witnessed.

-we all know about the instigators

-Gavi is their leader

-Balde, Marcos and Raphinha are def entertained by the get-together

-after seeing Araujo drag Arnau away, we all know that he doesn't enjoy it

-and ofc my fave smart guys as teachers

[snowseasonmademe]

La terre a besoin de l’océan (chapter 3)

word count: 3,125

pairing: Jules Koundé x Imani Taylor

summary: Poet and new mother Imani is navigating life after birth, co-parenting her daughter with the man she once thought she’d marry—Barcelona footballer Jules Koundé. Though their relationship ended, the love between them never truly disappeared, simmering beneath shared responsibilities and lingering touches. With the help of Sofia—Jules’s warm-hearted family friend turned Imani’s bestie, who cares for Danielle like a second grandmother—their unconventional home begins to feel whole again. As they rebuild trust and reimagine their future, Imani must decide if the life she walked away from is the one she’s meant to return to.

fc: @/ tatyanaalii_

tag list: @sucredreamer @irishmanwhore @dexastres @coffeevacation @goldenngt @btslover117 @kennaskorner

@leighjadeclimbedmtkilimanjaro

@jessnotwiththemess @thepointlessideas

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

February 22nd. It had been ten and a half months since Danielle was born.

Some days, Imani still couldn’t believe it. That this tiny, brilliant, babbling creature had come from her body. From her love. From her life.

Danielle was her everything. A living poem, a bright little sun orbiting her heart.

No matter what time it was, or how exhausted Imani felt from working late into the night, the sight of her daughter waking up always made the world stand still. Every morning, Danielle would blink her big, brown eyes open and scan the room, her lashes fluttering until—

“Mama.”

That whisper was always soft. Always like a secret.

Then came the smile. Big. Gummy. Full of wonder and love, with those three tiny teeth sitting like pearls in her mouth. Her legs would kick under the soft lavender blanket she refused to sleep without, arms flapping with excitement as though her joy couldn’t be contained inside her small frame.

Imani’s heart would break open every time.

She bent over the crib and scooped her up, pressing Danielle close to her chest. She needed her to feel it. The love. The safety. The knowing. That she was held. That she was wanted. That every inch of her was adored.

She swayed back and forth, humming something low and soft under her breath. Something she remembered her own mother humming to Kaya when she thought Imani wasn’t listening.

“You had good dreams, huh?” Imani whispered, kissing the soft fuzz of Danielle’s curls. “I can tell.”

Danielle let out a string of babbled nonsense in response, smacking her lips dramatically like she had so much to say and not enough time to say it. Imani smiled.

“Oh, you did fly? Through the clouds? What else, baby?”

More babble. More soft coos. Her chubby fingers tugged gently at the ends of Imani’s locs, one fist clumsily wrapping around a strand like she needed to anchor herself to the world.

Imani let her. She remembered that feeling, too. The need to hold on to something.

She was so lost in their rhythm—her voice, Danielle’s little replies, the weight of motherhood wrapped in this cozy moment—that she didn’t even hear the footsteps.

But Danielle did.

“Papa… papa…”

It wasn’t a yell, just a whisper, but her feet started kicking again with a whole new excitement. Imani turned her head and there he was.

Jules.

In his training clothes—navy blue joggers that hung low on his hips, a navy blue and red long-sleeve thermal pushed up to his elbows, revealing the veins that always made Imani stare a beat too long. His locs were slightly pushed back with a headband, a sheen of oil on his skin from the morning shower. He looked like he’d just stepped off a magazine cover.

But it wasn’t just how he looked. It was the way he looked at them.

Like they were his sunrise. Like there was no place else in the world he’d rather be.

He crossed the room quietly, a soft smile blooming on his face. The kind that only appeared when he was around Danielle. Or Imani. Or both.

His arms slid around Imani’s waist from behind, pulling her gently against him. His hands were warm. Familiar. Steady.

He kissed Danielle’s forehead first—always. Then leaned down, brushing his lips softly against the curve of Imani’s neck.

“Bonjour, mes chéris” he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep.

“Hi Jules,” Imani replied, and it was almost a sigh. The heat of his body pressed against her back made her want to fold into him, crawl back into bed, pretend they were still together.

They weren’t, not really. But sometimes—like right now—it was hard to remember that.

There was a pause. Heavy and charged.

She could feel him watching her. Not just admiring—watching. Studying her like he used to, back when they were still sharing everything. The look that always meant he was thinking about the way she tasted, the sounds she made when she was close, the way her body always folded into his so perfectly.

He stepped closer, gently boxing her in between his chest and the crib.

“I miss you in my bed” he whispered, low and deliberate.

Imani’s pulse skipped.

She didn’t respond. Instead, she leaned forward to gently lay Danielle back down, but in doing so, her hips brushed against his in just the right way—too intentional to ignore, too soft to pretend she didn’t mean it a little.

She got immediate flashbacks of how his bare hips used to feel against hers.

Jules exhaled through his nose, sharp and quiet.

“Oh… looks like you miss me too” he murmured, a slow smirk forming on his lips.

Imani rolled her eyes as she turned to face him. But she didn’t step back.

“Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

His smirk deepened.

“I don’t care about that right now Mani.”

His hands gripped her hips again. Not hard, but with enough intention to make her remember what his grip felt like on bare skin. What his hands did when they weren’t just holding her.

She poked his chest, trying to pull herself back into reality.

“Jules. Your team got whooped 3–1. You think your coach wants to hear you were too busy trying to get laid this morning?”

He laughed then. Deep, unbothered, warm.

“Touché” he said, slowly letting go of her, like he was savoring the final touch. “But I know you miss me too, Imani. Don’t act like you don’t”

And with that, he bent down to kiss Danielle goodbye again, whispered something to her in French that made the baby giggle, and disappeared down the hallway.

Imani just stood there.

Her body was hot. Her breath short. Skin tingling.

Why did he do this? Come in, love on her with his eyes, touch her like no time had passed, then leave her gasping for air like nothing had happened?

She was still trying to recover when the door creaked open again.

Sofia stepped in like a breeze. Sandals already halfway off, curls tied up in a low bun, her long maxi skirt swaying as she walked across the nursery.

“Buenos días, mija” she said in that familiar calming tone, like nothing could ever go wrong when she was around.

Sofia, the nanny, was 41 but had the soul of a 64-year-old retired school teacher. Calm. Gentle. Always smelling like vanilla and lemongrass. She moved like she had nowhere to be and everything to offer. And Danielle adored her.

Sofia was in the nersury with Danielle in her lap, bouncing her gently while humming something soft in Spanish. She had this warm, steady energy that babies seemed to melt into—Danielle especially. From the moment she was born, Danielle had been attached to her.

Sofia had become Imani’s bestie. She would take Danielle out when Imani was writing, help take care of her when she was too sore to walk after giving birth. And Danielle had a big habit of only being able to fall asleep outside for the first 6 months of her life, but because of your pollen allergy, you couldn’t sit with her in the spring—and Sofia gladly did it for you, every time, without complaint. She was like another grandma to Danielle. Sweet and firm, a constant, loving presence in your life when everything else was unraveling.

“Morning” Imani said, voice still raspy from sleep—and maybe from Jules.

Sofia arched a brow. “You look flushed.”

“I’m fine” Imani muttered. “Just got ambushed by a certain someone.”

Sofia chuckled. “Mmm. I heard the front door. You know that man gets on your nerves and under your skin.”

Imani exhaled slowly. “That’s the problem”

Sofia bent over the crib to pick up Danielle, who instantly started playing with her glasses.

“You waking up sassy today, mi amor?” she cooed to the baby. “You got your mama’s attitude already.”

“She woke up gossiping” Imani joked. “Telling me all about her dreams.”

“Oh, I’m sure she did” Sofia said. “Probably told you all about how her papa was the star of your dreams, too.”

Imani blinked. “Excuse me?”

Sofia smiled, unbothered. “I said what I said. Go write. Drink some water. And stop acting like you don’t still want that man.”

Imani didn’t respond.

She watched Sofia gather the baby bag and kiss Danielle’s cheek before heading out for their morning walk.

When the door shut again, Imani leaned back against the crib and stared at the ceiling.

Yeah. She was still his favorite place.

And some part of her knew… he was still hers too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today marked a quiet milestone in Imani’s life—the first time in nearly a year she was stepping back into her work as a poet. No interviews, no readings, no panels or pop ups. For nearly ten and a half months, the only thing she’d written consistently were late-night journal entries and soft lullabies for Danielle when teething made sleep impossible. And before that, during her first trimester, Imani had intentionally chosen to disappear from social media. To retreat from her world of words and the endless noise of social media. She owed that much to her baby—her body, her peace, her energy. And she had no regrets about doing it.

But now, the fog had cleared a little.

Danielle was in a more predictable rhythm. Imani’s body was slowly, steadily becoming hers again. Her mind, too. And she missed her fans. Her supporters. Her day-ones who had stuck with her through three bestselling collections and the long silence that followed. They were hilarious, loyal, and wildly creative. They made memes from her readings, sent her playlists inspired by her stanzas, and always had something to say about Jules.

And she missed the inside jokes.

God, they were funny.

Especially the ones about Jules. Or more specifically… “Golden Dick.”

It started as a joke after her last book, La terre a besoin de l’océan, dropped. One of the most talked-about poems in the collection had been a sensual, open-palmed love letter to a very specific part of him. Of course, she didn’t name him in it. She never did. But the people knew. They always knew.

And ever since, the name stuck.

Every time Jules accidentally appeared in the background of a selfie or was spotted pushing Danielle’s stroller during one of Sofia’s morning walks, someone would comment: GOLDEN DICK SIGHTING!! or She miss him, y’all. You see her skin? That’s glow right from the source.

And okay, yeah. It was funny.

But it was also true. And she had never written about anyone like him before.

Even now, she could still remember the way the words flowed the morning she wrote that poem. Her hips had still been sore. Her throat hoarse from the night before. But her mind? Her heart? Wide open.

She hadn’t planned on including it in the book. But one of her writer friends insisted. Said it felt like a revelation. Said it was art to make desire feel that soft, that holy.

So she kept it in. And just like that, the myth of Golden Dick was born.

The Muse with the Golden Hips – from La terre a besoin de l’océan

he didn’t fuck me,

he rewrote me.

redrafted the softest parts in his language—

his breath stuttering at my navel,

his tongue dragging verses across my thighs.

i called him god with a lowercase g—

because heaven came when he said so,

because the gospel was in his hips,

because the way he held my ankles apart

felt like scripture.

i bled time for him.

spilled stars on the sheets.

lost track of every name but his.

and when i came—

i did it like a woman who had

lived a thousand lives before

but never this one.

⸻

Imani hadn’t realized how much she missed the chaos of being known until she posted her photo dump that morning. Soft candles. A sweet picture of Danielle. A behind-the-scenes pic from her last book signing pre-pregnancy. A moody shot of the Ocean at sunrise. And one selfie, simple and striking, wearing her “Author Off Duty” white shirt and her signature silver hoops.

The comments poured in like wildfire.

“SHE’S ALIVE!!”

“Don’t play with us like that, Imani. We were in mourning.”

“Golden Dick let her rest, huh?”

“She probably still limping lowkey but God is good.”

Imani cackled. Full-on stomach laugh.

She had missed this.

The jokes, the love, the absurdly creative fan interpretations of her poems… and even the thirst comments about Jules. It was all part of the magic. All part of the odd little world she had built from words, womb, and willpower.

She liked where this new chapter was going.

Her tea sat cooling beside her laptop, Danielle babbling softly to herself from her play mat, Sofia humming a lullaby in the kitchen while prepping a bottle. The light in their Barcelona apartment spilled in golden and warm. And for the first time in a long time, Imani didn’t feel overwhelmed by what was next.

She felt ready.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jules missed her.

He missed her, and he wasn’t ashamed of it.

There was no point pretending. No point trying to distract himself with noise or other people or whatever shallow comfort might come from moving on. He hadn’t even wanted to touch anyone else since the last time they made love—if you could even call what they had that night just sex. That was months ago, somewhere near the end of her second trimester, and still, the memory of her body under his lingered like a song he couldn’t stop humming.

He hadn’t gone looking for anything else. Couldn’t, even if he tried. Because for him, sex wasn’t just physical—it never had been. It was about trust

Because for him, sex wasn’t just physical—it never had been. It was about trust. About closeness. About being known in ways that felt holy.

And Imani knew him. All of him. She always had.

He remembered the way her hands moved across his chest like they were sketching a map. The way she’d kiss the part of his shoulder he never realized held tension until she eased it with her lips. The soft way she said his name when she wanted him to know it was okay to let go.

That kind of connection? You don’t just find that again. You don’t want to.

So yeah, he missed her. Not just the sex. Not just the intimacy. He missed them.

He missed the way she used to read her poems to him in bed before the world ever saw them. The way she’d instinctively place her hand on his chest during the night, right over his heart, like she was grounding both of them. He missed how she made the apartment feel alive with her soft humming in the kitchen, or her dramatic readings of whatever book she was currently obsessed with.

Even the quiet between them had been beautiful.

Now it felt… hollow. Like something unfinished.

As he drove to training, those thoughts swirled in his head—thick and sticky and endless. He barely remembered the route. Barely noticed the lights. Before he knew it, he was pulling into the lot, heart still heavy with everything unsaid.

He parked, sat for a second, then sighed.

He knew what kind of practice it was going to be today. Punishment practice. They’d lost 3-1 last game, and Coach Flick was not the type to let that slide. He shook it off, rolled his shoulders, and headed inside.

The session was brutal. Fast-paced. Ruthless. His legs burned. His lungs ached. But he stayed focused—gritting his teeth through sprints, locking in during drills. He had to. Because if he didn’t focus, his mind would go back there—back to the curve of Imani’s lips, or the sound of Danielle’s laugh, or the way her eyes sparkled when she was about to make fun of him.

Still, Coach must’ve noticed.

As everyone was filing out after cool-down, still panting and slick with sweat, Coach Flick’s voice rang across the field.

“JULES. En mi oficina. Ahora.”

(JULES. In my office. Now.)

The team didn’t miss a beat.

“Ouuuuuu,” someone called out, laughing.

“A la vergaaa,” another one added, pointing and teasing as Jules reluctantly jogged toward the building.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead, took a breath, and stepped into Coach Flick’s office.

“¿Hay algún problema, señor?” Jules asked politely, standing in front of the desk.

(Is there a problem, sir?)

Coach raised an eyebrow. His expression wasn’t angry—just concerned.

“No has hecho nada malo, pero parecías un poco perdido hoy. ¿Está todo bien?”

(You haven’t done anything wrong, but you looked a little lost today. Is everything okay?)

Jules nodded slowly, standing tall even though his body ached.

“Soy un buen entrenador. Mi mente está ocupada hoy. Pero todavía estoy concentrado. Estoy listo para el próximo partido, señor.”

(I’m good, Coach. My mind’s just busy today. But I’m still focused. I’m ready for the next match, sir.)

Coach gave him a long look, then leaned back in his chair with a knowing smile.

“Ahh, vale, vale. ¿Cómo están el bebé y la esposa? ¿Están bien? No he visto a Imani en mucho tiempo. ¿La mantienes sana?”

(Ahh, okay, okay. How���s the baby and the wife? They’re doing alright? I haven’t seen Imani in a while. You keeping her healthy?)

The word wife hit Jules like a punch to the chest.

He blinked, then quickly covered it with a soft chuckle.

“Sí, señor. Están muy bien. Imani también está bien. Últimamente se ha centrado en escribir, y el bebé nos mantiene muy ocupados.”

(Yes, sir. They’re doing very well. Imani’s been focusing on her writing lately, and the baby’s keeping us very busy.)

Coach Flick grinned.

“De acuerdo, chico. Vete a casa con la familia y descansa un poco. Se acerca una semana importante. Te veré mañana. Adiós.”

(Alright, my boy. Go home to the family and get some rest. We’ve got an important week coming up. I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye.)

Jules nodded, thanked him, and made his way out of the office.

La familia. The wife.

Those words echoed in his chest. It wasn’t just Coach making assumptions. People had always assumed they were married. The way they moved, the way they cared for each other, the way Jules looked at her—it felt permanent. Even to strangers.

And at one point, he and Imani had both agreed marriage wasn’t necessary. They didn’t need a ring to define their love.

But now?

Now he wasn’t so sure.

Maybe things could change.

Maybe she could change her mind.

Because he still had hope. And every time he looked at her—really looked—he swore she had hope too.

[amirawrah]

Lowkey in love, insight. and masterlist 🤎

☀️summary☀️

❋ Saryn Hamisi Henry lives a beautifully curated life—Thierry Henry’s adopted daughter, a rising star in London’s fashion scene, and always in control of her image. But her heart? That’s another story.

For four months, she’s been quietly falling for Jules Koundé, Barcelona’s smooth, sharp-witted defender. Their romance has been private, passionate, and perfect—until a single photo from a secret getaway in Monaco leaks online, and the world suddenly knows her truth.

Now trending worldwide, Saryn is spiraling. The press is in a frenzy, the fans are dissecting every detail—and the one person who doesn’t know? Her dad.

As Saryn and Jules navigate the chaos of going public, she’s forced to face what she’s been avoiding: love this real can’t stay hidden forever.

☀️characters & connections☀️

main 🤎

Saryn Hamisi Henry 📷

24, was born in Kenya and adopted at age four by Thierry Henry, then she was raised in the U.S., where she grew up in a world of sports, culture, and quiet luxury. But while the spotlight was always nearby, she dreamed of something different—runways, editorial spreads, and her name in glossy magazine credits. At eighteen, she moved to London to carve out her own path. Now, she’s a respected name in the fashion world, known for her keen eye, effortless styling, and thoughtful writing at Atiba, a rising star in the editorial world.

Saryn is soft-spoken but sharp, with a heart full of sweetness. She’s obsessed with cartoons, drinks matcha like it's water, and has a carefully curated playlist for every mood. Beneath her polished exterior is a girl who loves hard, dreams big, and holds her privacy close—well until she met him.

Jules Oliver Kounde 📷

26, He keeps his circle tight and his heart even tighter—until Saryn walks in. With her, he’s softer, funnier, more open. And while the world may know him as a football star, behind closed doors, he’s just a man deeply in love, ready to risk it all for the girl who makes him smile.

☀️side characters☀️

Theirry Henry & cbs mates : her adoptive dad and football legend. micha richards, kate scott and jamie carragher.

Gumi : her dog a little black cockpoo she got when she first moved to london as company.

Jamie: her bestfriend and co-worker. They first met when she first started working at Atiba. shes witty, supportive, and never afraid to keep it real, Jamie is Saryn’s ride-or-die, her sounding board, and sometimes the devil on her shoulder.

James: jamie's twin brother and content creator. Cool under pressure, camera-ready at all times. he's the chill one.

additionals : aurel, teammates and other footballers, family members.etc.

☀️MASTERLIST☀️

Lowkey in love 1

Lowkey in love 2

flashback coming soon...

☀️series tags: lowkey in love series☀️,saryn&jules

amirah: hi guys!!!, i made this series masterlist, hope yall like it, ill make sure to drop the next part and the flash back soon.

[rmfantasysetpieces1]

PARATRANSCRIPT Good morning good afternoon good evening wherever you are listening, I am richard murray and this is I Heard A Setpiece , Sportsburstfans Question and Answer episode 2

Two members of the group. Clayton Brown side Lyonga MArtin Monono asked me to look at a video from Have Hope's Football Hut, concerning the transfer battle over Jules Kounde of France, between Chelsea football club side Barcelona Football Club.

The following is my thoughts as I listened to "Have Hope" ...

0:11 he starts out with a falsehood. Barca did not give "us" meaning the soccer fans the following players neymar<santos>/romario<vasco de gama>/ronaldhino<gremio>/rivaldo<timao>/dani alves <bahia> Sports viewers have to comprehend something. if you don't watch the global game, that is not the fault of the game. That is your fault. The world is full of many great leagues and teams and if you don't know about them, shame on you.

0:20 Now he asks the question, has Chelsea ever had a generational talent. To be honests, I don't know what a generational talent it. That sounds like a lot of that GOAT nonsense. But lets hear him out

1:56 He begins with the point that fc barca is a bigger brand than chelsea fc. This is the truth. Chelsea FC prove that big money even through a long period isn't enough to overcome historical brands. ala, MUFC over MCFC or OM over PSG.

3:05 He says Chelsea never played a generational talent. I don't know if Drogba or any other player is generational talent but I know Drogba is a goalscorer on par to any other. But to his point, Drogba is a Marseille player, not a Chelsea player. Oh and Cruyff is an Ajax player.

4:27 Chelsea don't have a strict strategic identity. But this is most clubs in soccer in history, all over the world. Also, the new statian owner kicked out people like peter cech from the administration in chelsea so...

5:29 He is right, Chelsea in the Roman era was like many big money teams, past or future, they get great players. Barca did the same at the end of the Bartomeyu era.

7:34 he ask why you watch football. The first football I watched was flag play and then italian serie a or liga mx. And I didn't have a team allegiaance early.

8:32 Ngolo Kante is a star or special player. to say Ngolo Kante isn't is a lie. Now does Chelsea have a goal scoring star or special player? the answer is no.

10:35 The video host concludes with the point that all other clubs are stepping stones to barca/real madrid. He is incorrect plus correct. Perception is power and money is powerful. The problem with BArca or real madrid is for most of the last 30 years, they have been the highest wage givers among the big clubs. Meaning they pay the most. The term galacticos comes from Real Madrid. and the original galacticos did not win a lot. so, money talks. The media genious of barca or real madrid is that they jumped on the idea that the global populace is ignorant to a lot of soccer, even domestically where they live, so they can be swayed into certain narratives or thinkings. And, this sways players movements. As most players have agents whose goal isn't a players athletic health, it is a players financial health and this means, big contract plus big sponsorships. Meaning what? a player for barca will get more sponsors than a player for Bayern or Benfica, even though, from a historical perspective it can be argued, bayern or benfica are bigger teams. So, perception matters. And perception is on the side of Barca or Real MAdrid in the community of big money clubs and that influences alot of money and that has a role with players. Some can argue that LEwandowski hit the financial ceiling of what he can do with bayern while even taking a pay cut he can do far better with barca, even without winning a uefa champions league. But, never forget, Totti/Mbappe/Pirlo many great players have said no to Barcelona or real madrid. So it is dangerous saying all other clubs are stepping stones to Barca or real madrid. But, for some players that is true, for some players that is not true.

I paraphrase Gary Lineker, concerning when Real MAdrid didn't get Mbappe, which the video host missed, the paraphrase "i love spanish soccer, but real madrid barca have out bid many over the years, just cause they don't get this time isn't the end of soccer"

ARTICLE LINK https://www.facebook.com/groups/862391814168838/permalink/1347055269035821/

#IHASP  

[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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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[content1]

Dabet đưa tin: Xavi: 'Làm HLV Barca là công việc bạc bẽo'

Trước trận El Clasico đầu tiên của mùa giải, Xavi thừa nhận dẫn dắt Barca rất áp lực và cá nhân ông muốn thi đấu trên sân hơn.

*Real - Barca: 21h15 Chủ nhật 16/10, trên VnExpress.

"Làm HLV Barca là công việc bạc bẽo. Tôi thích làm cầu thủ hơn là HLV, nhưng El Clasico là để tận hưởng", Xavi nói trước trận đại chiến tại Bernabeu tuần này. "Tôi cố gắng cởi bỏ áp lực, giúp đội thi đấu thoải mái để tận hưởng. Các cầu thủ phải trở thành phiên bản tốt nhất và cố gắng làm chủ trận đấu".

Xavi chịu nhiều áp lực sau khi hòa Inter 3-3 tại Camp Nou thất thế ở bảng C Champions League. Barca có bốn điểm sau bốn trận, kém nhì bảng Inter ba điểm. Nếu đại diện Serie A thắng đội chót bảng Viktoria Plzen ở lượt tiếp theo ngày 26/10, Barca phải xuống chơi ở Europa League mùa thứ hai liên tiếp.

Xem thêm: nhà cái uy tín

Thành tích này không tương xứng với số tiền Barca đã đổ vào sàn chuyển nhượng. Hè 2022, chủ sân Camp Nou thực hiện loạt đòn bảy kinh tế và chi 153 triệu USD để tuyển mộ Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, Raphinha, Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie, Marcos Alonso và Hector Bellerin.

Khi được hỏi về những áp lực hiện tại, Xavi đáp: "Tôi biết điều đó, bởi đây là Barca. Tôi là người lạc quan từ khi sinh ra, luôn tin vào sự chăm chỉ và cầu tiến. Tôi sẽ không ngừng làm việc và cố gắng. Đến ngày tôi không tin rằng mình có thể là giải pháp cho những vấn đề của Barca, tôi sẽ rời đi. Nhưng hiện tại, tôi vẫn ổn".

HLV Tây Ban Nha thậm chí xem trận gặp El Clasico hôm nay là thời cơ để Barca thể hiện đúng đẳng cấp và tìm lại sự tự tin. Ông muốn Barca thi đấu tự tin, tấn công và mạnh dạn dứt điểm. "Chúng tôi muốn khuất phục Real ngay trên phần sân của họ", HLV 42 tuổi nói. "Chúng tôi tạo ra rất nhiều cơ hội từ ngoài vòng cấm trong trận gặp Inter, và trận El Clasico sẽ là một ví dụ khác về điều đó. Real thi đấu thấp, chắc chắn, và chúng tôi phải tấn công mạnh mẽ và dũng cảm".

Thừa nhận tầm quan trọng của trận El Clasico, nhưng Xavi cũng nhấn mạnh ngôi vô địch La Liga sẽ không được định đoạt bởi ba điểm trên sân Bernabeu. Ông nói: "Bên cạnh ba điểm, chiến thắng tại El Clasico còn tiếp thêm tinh thần và sự tự tin. Đó là điều quan trọng với cả Barca và Real, nhưng cuộc đua vô địch không ngã ngũ sau trận đấu này. Năm ngoái, Barca không thi đấu ổn định tại La Liga, nhưng năm nay thì có".

Hồi tháng 3, dù bị đánh giá thấp hơn, Barca đã thắng đối thủ 4-0 ngay tại Bernabeu. Phong độ của đội bóng xứ Catalonia tại La Liga cũng khá tích cực khi đang đứng đầu bảng sau bảy thắng, một hòa, hơn chính Real về hiệu số bàn thắng. "Chúng tôi đang dẫn đầu La Liga và muốn duy trì điều đó sau El Clasico", Xavi nhấn mạnh. "Chúng tôi muốn bỏ lại quá khứ. Nếu chúng tôi tích cực, mọi thứ sẽ ổn".

[hufflepuffhabs]

In honor of them playing again tonight, welcome to this edition of the Barça Alignment charts, theme arguments. You already know I have additional comments:

-eric is mdlr, so ... but it's hot honestly

-ferran is the guy that will make this threat and then cry when you confront him

-andreas would not cry

-those actually trying are too wholesome for fights

-and gavi is THe baby, so I don't care that he is legally an adult

-and Xavi gives up because he has no time, so there's overlap

[snowseasonmademe]

La terre a besoin de l’océan (chapter 2)

word count: 1,572

pairing: Jules Koundé x Imani Taylor

summary: Poet and new mother Imani is navigating life after birth, co-parenting her daughter with the man she once thought she’d marry—Barcelona footballer Jules Koundé. Though their relationship ended, the love between them never truly disappeared, simmering beneath shared responsibilities and lingering touches. As they rebuild trust and reimagine their future, Imani must decide if the life she walked away from is the one she’s meant to return to.

fc: @/ tatyanaalii_

tag list: @sucredreamer@irishmanwhore @dexastres @coffeevacation @goldenngt @btslover117 @kennaskorner

@leighjadeclimbedmtkilimanjaro

@jessnotwiththemess @thepointlessideas

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Imani had always been scared of motherhood. Not in an abstract, distant kind of way—but in a visceral, bone-deep way that gripped her as early as age eight, when she first understood how hard it had been for her own mother.

She remembered hearing her mother cry through the thin walls of their Brooklyn apartment. The quiet kind of crying, the kind that you muffle into your pillow because your baby is sleeping, and no one else is coming to help. Her mother, Inez, had been sixteen. Her father, Keith, was the same. Two kids clinging to a dream they didn’t have the tools to build.

Imani watched her mother work double shifts, walk home in the rain with groceries that barely filled a bag, fall asleep with her arm wrapped protectively over Imani’s body like it was the only thing anchoring her to the world.

She grew up watching the fatigue. And even when love was there—strong, stubborn, messy love—it was never enough to silence the exhaustion.

So, by the time Imani was old enough to carve out a path of her own, she promised herself one thing: she’d never bring a child into the world unless she knew she was ready.

And yet—life has a way of showing you that love doesn’t wait for your timing.

Now, decades later, watching her mother glow with a new husband and a new toddler Kaya, Imani knew the truth she had always suspected but never said aloud: her mother hadn’t been meant to be a mother then. Not that young. Not in that way. Imani could see it so clearly now—in the lightness of Inez’s laugh, the softness in her voice when she cradled her new baby, Kaya. This was how her mother was always supposed to a mother. Whole. Healed. Loved.

And she was happy. Radiant, even.

Imani had never envied her mother’s struggles. But she respected the hell out of her. And she loved her more than life.

They were best friends. No competition. No jealousy. Just real, raw closeness. Imani wanted nothing more than to see her mother thrive—and now, she was. With a toddler running around her feet, and a husband who kissed her like she was still his crush from homeroom. Imani was endlessly grateful for that. But it also made her fears louder when she found herself pregnant.

She’d had a little practice with babies, thanks to Kaya. Late-night FaceTime calls, visits to New York, helping with feedings and lullabies when she could. But being a big sister was nothing like being a mother. Because now, there was no handing the baby back when she got fussy or when Imani felt overwhelmed.

There was no “I’m tired” out. No off switch.

But that was where Jules came in.

She got pregnant with Danielle six months into her relationship with Jules. Six months into that overwhelming, sensual, soul-stirring thing they had going. He was fire and safety at the same time. The kind of man who could whisper affirmations in your ear while blowing your back out. The kind of man who made you feel like being vulnerable wasn’t a risk—it was a relief.

Imani had always been cautious with her heart. She shared her poems more easily than her secrets. But Jules? Jules earned the full story. He never asked her to be softer than she was. He just held her as she unfolded.

So when the pregnancy test came back positive, she wasn’t scared of him. She was scared of herself—of becoming her mother. Of giving her child a tired version of her spirit. Of losing the part of herself that had just started to bloom.

Still, she told him.

Six weeks pregnant, curled up in an oversized tee on the edge of his bed, eyes brimming but voice steady. He had been quiet at first. Not in a distant way, but in that Jules kind of way—like he was running the entire future through his head before saying a word.

Then, he reached for her hand and said, “It’s Okay. We’re gonna do this together.”

And they did.

By eight weeks, he had moved her into his home in Spain. The first night in their new apartment, they slept in the same bed, but with the quiet between them filled with a million emotions. He placed a hand on her belly before she drifted off and whispered, “Hey, little one… I’m your papa” Imani had turned away, pressing her face into the pillow so he wouldn’t see her cry.

He took care of her like she was made of glass, but not in a way that stripped her of her strength. No—he still believed in her independence. He just stepped in when he saw she needed a break before she admitted it.

She had every pregnancy complication in the book. Fatigue. Spiking migraines. Her lower back throbbed so often she swore she could feel her bones shifting. Her eyesight worsened so badly she had to dig out the thick black glasses she used to wear while pulling all-nighters in college. They made her feel frumpy—like an academic trying too hard.

But Jules looked at her like she was a goddess every time.

He’d kiss the corners of her eyes and tell her, “You’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Glasses, sweatpants, baby bump and all.”

And he meant it.

He memorized every symptom. Peppermint tea when he saw her rubbing her temples. Cold compresses. Soothing playlists. His fingertips knew every pressure point in her lower back and hips. He even skipped training one day—not publicly, but quietly—just to stay home and hold her through a particularly brutal migraine.

It scared her, how easy he made it feel. How kind he was without expecting praise. And it terrified her that even with all of that, she still didn’t want to be with him.

They’d talked about it—soft, honest conversations under dim lights while her belly grew and she had to shift sideways to get comfortable on the couch. She loved him. Of course she did. But she didn’t see him as her husband. And he didn’t see her as his wife. At least not at that time. They were best friends who had fallen into something big, something permanent, something sacred. And they both knew what they had was better as a bond than a romance.

The last time they had sex, she was 26 weeks along. It was slow, almost reverent. Like a goodbye without saying the word. Afterward, he kissed her stomach, whispered, “Thank you for letting me love you like this.”

And that was it.

When Danielle finally came—after twelve hours of labor and a scream that nearly split her throat—he was perfect. No fear. No complaints. Just Jules.

He held Imani’s hand as she pushed. Rubbed her back when she wept. Fed her Jell-O in between contractions. She swore she saw tears fall from his lashes the moment Danielle’s tiny body slid into the world. He kissed her forehead, not even realizing his hands were still shaking.

He took Danielle in his arms like she was made of bubbles and holy water. Whispered her name a hundred times. Memorized her face within minutes.

For the first two months, he barely let Imani lift a finger. He bathed Danielle. Changed her. Fed her. Rocked her for hours while Imani slept. He took her recovery more seriously than she did—cutting off visits, canceling invites, drawing the blinds when he saw she was overstimulated.

She tried to fight it. To go back to being Imani the poet, not just Imani the mother. But Jules held the line. “You gave life, baby. You get to rest.”

And God… she loved him for it.

Not in the romantic, let’s-run-away-and-get-married way. But in the eternal way. It was an “I will always have your back”.

Inez saw it too.

At first, she was skeptical. She kept Jules at arm’s length for weeks—maybe months. The situation felt too familiar. A quick pregnancy, a too-young couple, a baby on the way. It was déjà vu. She saw herself in Imani and hated it. Feared it. But eventually, that changed.

She watched the way he rubbed Imani’s belly with warm oil, his voice low and tender.

She watched how he woke up first for every night feeding.

She saw him holding Danielle like she was his whole universe and realized: this wasn’t history repeating itself. This was redemption.

Eventually, she started calling him “son-in-law,” even though no rings had ever been exchanged.

When Imani told her she was pregnant, Inez had cried. She was only one year postpartum with Kaya and couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that her daughter and grandaughter would be just two years apart in age.

“I got babies raisin’ babies,” she said through her tears, laughing softly. “That’s what I get for being fast in high school.”

But now? Now, she couldn’t get enough of Danielle.

That little girl was obsessed with her Grandmama. Every time they visited Brooklyn, Danielle clung to Inez like a shadow. Refused to let go. Wouldn’t even look at Jules or Imani when she was nestled under Inez’s arm. She wanted stories and songs and snacks and snuggles—all from her grandma.

She never once asked for her grandfather.

Maybe she could sense he wasn’t part of the picture.

Maybe she just knew who had shown up—and who hadn’t.

[supasoccer]

The unusual transfer story that resulted in center-back Jules Kounde joining Barcelona after he backed out of a deal to Chelsea due to tense talks has been disclosed by Sevilla manager Monchi. After a protracted saga in which Chelsea was originally considered one of the favorites to get the highly-rated French defender, Barcelona ultimately declared they had reached a deal. This would have been our third refusal of his request. He is a professional, but you also need to take him as a person. "On Thursday night, Chelsea purchased Koundé. They started to have second thoughts and left. Barcelona then showed up. Alemany made contact for the first time on Monday. We renegotiated with them and came to an arrangement for a club-record sale after receiving an offer that was less than what we had in mind. &nbsp; Chelsea returned, but Barcelona's bid was superior. And now Monchi has opened the curtain on a puzzling series of events, alleging Kounde was on his way to Stamford Bridge when Chelsea officials pulled the plug before changing their minds and Barcelona swooped in. This would have been our third refusal of his request. He is a professional, but you also need to take him as a person. "On Thursday night, Chelsea purchased Koundé. They started to have second thoughts and left. Barcelona then showed up. Alemany made contact for the first time on Monday. We renegotiated with them and came to an arrangement for a club-record sale after receiving an offer that was less than what we had in mind. Chelsea returned, but Barcelona's bid was superior. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nrWI-xmd-A #supasoccer #epl7 #laligabbva #seriea2 #ligue180 #laligasantander #europeanfootball #bundesliga2 #eredivisie #uefaeuropaleague #uefachampions