How Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea could look in 2026-27

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Premier League, Team Analysis

Xabi Alonso enters Chelsea as one of the most reputable managers in the world, despite only being in the managerial scene for seven years. He also enters at a time when Chelsea desperately need someone to steady the ship. The Blues finished a measly 10th in the 2025-26 Premier League season, and lost the backing of some of their most influential stars. Although the Blues have spent over a £1 billion in the Todd Boehly era, they now have someone with a clear tactical identity that can work to get the best out of another summer of new recruits. The early indications are expensive, but positive. Here is how Alonso's Chelsea could look next season.

How Stephen Eustáquio controlled Canada’s 1-0 win over South Africa

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Player Analysis, World Cup 2026

After scoring the historic goal that secured Canada's place in the Round of 16, Stephen Eustáquio will receive all of the praise and plaudits. But Eustáquio wasn't just the game winner. The 29-year-old was the best player on the pitch even without his goal, shepherding Canada to victory through his organization and leadership in midfield. Here is how Stephen Eustáquio bossed Canada's 1-0 win over South Africa.

How Bruno Fernandes assists so many goals

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Attacking Midfield, Central Midfield, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Premier League

Bruno Fernandes has been the best player in the Premier League this season, and has fully deserved his league-tying assist record. It now remains to be seen on the final matchday as to whether or not he will become the sole player to break the 20 assist barrier. Either way, Bruno deserves his 2025-26 PFA Player of the Season crown. Here is how Bruno assists so many goals.

Casemiro can’t stop scoring headed goals

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Defensive Midfield, Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Player Education

Manchester United's narrow 2-1 win over Brentford was met with another man of the match performance from Casemiro - who continues to prove his irreplaceability. The Brazilian midfielder scored his ninth goal of the season, moving him to second for goals by a midfielder in the Premier League this season. It was his eighth headed goal of the campaign, double that of any other player.

Picking England’s 2026 World Cup Squad

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Team Analysis, World Cup 2026, World Football

The World Cup is just a few months away, and Thomas Tuchel already seems to have a clear idea of both his squad and how he wants England to play. His teams are built on energy, physicality, and discipline — players who stick to their roles and execute a system, rather than drift and freelance. That’s where things get interesting. Because as much as I understand what Tuchel wants, I don’t agree with all of it. This isn’t a prediction of who will go to the World Cup. This is the squad I think should go — the one that gives England the best chance of winning the tournament, not just controlling matches.

Ali Ahmed: The £1.4 million steal powering Norwich’s revival

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Player Education, Recruitment & Scouting, Winger

Norwich might not be in the hunt for Premier League football next season, but they are slowly rebuilding their squad back to one that can challenge toward the top of the Championship. And in Ali Ahmed, they didn’t just sign a useful squad player. They may have found their next star.

Sebastian Berhalter has become the Whitecaps’ most important player

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Player Analysis

With his all-around quality, it's abundantly clear. Sebastian Berhalter is the Whitecaps' most important player right now. His performance against Portland was one of the finest individual performances of any player so far this season, and continues to help cement the 'Caps as one of the most cutthroat teams in the league.

Benjamin Šeško is United’s best striker in years

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Game of Numbers, Player Analysis, Player Education, Premier League, Striker

With four goals in his last five matches, Šeško earned himself the Premier League's Player of the Month award for February. This, in just 85 minutes of making an impact off the bench. If he can continue to grow from here, the 22-year-old will almost certainly stake his claim as United's best striker in years.

Casemiro is leaving, and United still can’t replace him

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Defensive Midfield, Game of Numbers, Match Analysis, Player Analysis, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting

Casemiro's been one of the best players in each of Carrick's matches in charge. In fact, he's been almost too good. Sunday's match against Fulham exposed exactly what United will miss when he departs, and why he might be someone they simply can't afford to lose, even if they must. At home to Fulham, Casemiro dominated the midfield, and put his stamp on both of the opening goals - scoring one and assisting the next. His absence in the dying moments of the game served only as a warning sign against Fulham, as Carrick's red-hot start to the season continued. But if this is how they play without him, the Red Devils better hope he's fit until the end of May.

The stars leading Canada, Mexico, and the USA into the World Cup

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Game of Numbers, Match Analysis, Player Analysis, World Cup 2026, World Football

The 2026 World Cup in North America has been electric so far, with each host nation playing with intention, heart, and physicality. Canada might have only found a point against Bosnia, but both Mexico and the U.S. enjoyed one of their best matches in World Cup history. Here are the standout performers from the opening round of fixtures for each host nation.

Lessons from Canada’s 2-0 win over Uzbekistan

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Match Analysis, World Cup 2026

World Cup 2026 is fast approaching, and as Canada plays host to the tournament for the first time in history, the men's team has never been more equipped for success. Jesse Marsch's Canada are still a work in progress. They will still take time this month to gel together, and harmonize. They showed that in the first half of their 2-0 win over Uzbekistan. But Canada have never had a more talented set of men's footballers ready to shine at a major tournament. Here is what we learned from Canada's 2-0 win over Uzbekistan.

Tottenham didn’t win, but they finally showed they care

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Premier League, Team Analysis

De Zerbi's team now have five games to go, and they need to make them count. The only way to do that is to channel everything they showed in this match, and show that they truly care about staying up.

More than a feeder club: Strasbourg’s youth-led blueprint

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Recruitment & Scouting, Team Analysis, World Football

When Strasbourg stunned FSV Mainz to advance to the semi-finals of the UEFA European Conference League, they did so with an average age of 22.2 years. They surpassed Mainz with a list of unknown names apart from Ben Chilwell, who stood as the only player above 25 years old in the entire first eleven. He's … Continue reading More than a feeder club: Strasbourg’s youth-led blueprint