The 12 months 2026 is lower than a month previous and we’re already beginning to suspect it’s a simulation from a vengeful and darkly amused increased energy.
We’ve had talks of a World Cup boycott, the dispiriting rise of Huge Protein, the most important FA Cup shock ever and a storm that’s coated many of the Northern Hemisphere in debilitating snow.
In Britain, Labour’s authorities of reactionary centrists are busy constructing the equipment of suppression for Nigel Farage’s inevitable rise to energy.
Life is tough proper now, horrifying, costly and unsure in equal measure. No surprise persons are misguidedly wanting again to 2016 as some sort of golden age.
Gentle-hearted reduction is in brief provide, however Sevilla have captured our consideration with essentially the most randomly generated switch in years.
Neal Maupay’s time at Marseille handed us by totally, regardless that he was an ideal match for Robert De Zerbi’s gang of waifs and strays on the Mediterranean coast.
Extra of an irritant than a prolific goalscorer, Maupay is finest remembered by Premier League followers as considered one of its modern-day banter retailers. A wind-up king, or somebody finest engaged with in small doses.
He spent 5 seasons barging, bitching and sh*thousing his manner across the division, carving out a repute as one of many narkiest gamers round.
As befitting his pebble-in-your-shoe persona, Maupay even attracted flak from impartial golf equipment. This was flipped knowingly throughout his Sevilla unveiling video on Twitter:
💻 How the tables have turned… pic.twitter.com/tawRbgbk1D
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) January 27, 2026
Whereas Maupay will little doubt bundle dwelling just a few targets throughout his mortgage spell in Spain, the extra attention-grabbing statement is the sharp nature of Sevilla’s decline.
Their standing as Europa League kings is gone; having received the competitors seven instances since 2006, Sevilla are actually totally mediocre and with out European soccer.
Since beating Barcelona at the beginning of October, they’ve received three league matches and are simply three factors above the relegation zone.
Sevilla even misplaced at dwelling to Betis for the primary time since 2018. That 4-1 win over Barca more and more looks like a misprint.
Off the pitch, sloppy monetary choices have left the membership on the verge of chapter.
Jose Maria del Nido Carrasco, the crew’s president, has allegedly led the Sevillanos to lose over 100 million euros.
Consequently, Sevilla have the bottom wage restrict in La Liga and spent nada final summer time.
Their present squad is stuffed filled with historical names (Cesar Azpilicueta, Alexis Sanchez), La Liga journeyman and Adnan Januzaj.
Even in an period the place European groups are paupers in comparison with Bournemouth and Brentford, Sevilla’s dire state of affairs is eyebrow-raising.
Maupay has expertise in relegation scraps as a part of the Everton crew that Goodison’d its approach to survival below Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche. There’s a sure logic to his signing.
Nevertheless it’s skinny gruel for Sevilla followers. Our escapism and mid-doomscroll chuckle is their lived actuality.
By Michael Lee
READ NEXT: 8 of Neal Maupay’s best sh*thouse moments: Leaving Everton, darts, cry-baby…
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