Soccer Daily for 19 September: Yamal Ballon d’Or Remarks, Chelsea Defensive Run, Mbappé On Boot Deal, Norway Allsvenskan Debate

Soccer Daily for 19 September covers four football stories: the Ballon d’Or debate around Lamine Yamal, Chelsea’s defensive record under Xabi Alonso, Kylian Mbappé’s move from Nike to On, and Norway’s discussion of Allsvenskan players. Chapters Chapters 1. Yamal Ballon d’Or Remarks Lamine Yamal says the Ballon d’Or should recognize the world’s best player, with Harry Kane’s goal total at the center of the discussion. Goal’s report frames the remark as a swipe at Kane; Yamal argues that an 80-goal season should bring the top-scorer award, a separate distinction. Source link Discussion thread 2. Chelsea Defensive Run Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has conceded at least twice in each of his first five Premier League matches in charge. According to Opta Joe’s post, only five managers before him have started their Premier League tenures with the same run, including Mick McCarthy, Sammy Lee, Terry Connor, Slaviša Jokanović and Scott Parker. Source link Discussion thread 3. Mbappé On Boot Deal Kylian Mbappé has ended his long-running Nike partnership and will front Swiss brand On as it enters football boots. According to The Athletic, the Real Madrid striker had been with Nike since 2006, when he was eight. Source link Discussion thread 4. Norway Allsvenskan Debate Norway coach Ståle Solbakken criticised Sweden’s Allsvenskan for lacking intensity and suggested he may hesitate to call up players from the league; Graham Potter responded by pointing to Elliot Stroud’s career. In a linked Expressen report, Potter says Stroud went from Allsvenskan to playing regularly in the Premier League. Source link Discussion thread That's it for today.