It’s been a month since the last newsletter. In my defense: I’ve had COVID. Had to skip the Sloan Conference and pretty much spent the last four weeks in my bed. It’s not fun. My first time: zero-out-of-10, would not recommend.

But I’m back … ish. Played golf the other day, finally exercised for the first time the day after that, flew on a plane twice, ate something other than soup, can smell scents that aren’t only metallic vinegar, and etc.

Stay safe and well, everyone.

Everything Else

• The USMNT isn’t going to hire a star manager because star managers almost never manage national teams. And when they do? It rarely works out like everyone wants.

• One of the best soccer players in the world was playing in the Georgian first division a year ago. What can the rise of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tell us about how talent develops and gets identified?

• Despite what Carlo Ancelotti said after the game, Barcelona dominated Real Madrid last weekend. To quote one of our great non-Greek philosophers: Barca are Real’s daddy — but for how much longer?

• Sometimes soccer is simple: the guy with 42 goals in 37 games is probably the best player in the world.