Author: Rhys Desmond

Across the past decade, I have worked with thousands of players and coaches across multiple sports and disciplines. I recognize the value of diving deeper beyond the first glance, and uncovering the deeper-lying ways to enhance performance. I make a commitment toward positive reinforcement, research-backed insights, and making the experience fun for those that work with me. If you’re interested in learning more about my site or experiencing my coaching, feel free to reach out! 👊⚽

The big questions for Canada ahead of the World Cup

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Masterclasses, Team Analysis

Jesse Marsch might have been hoping for more from his team against Iceland and Tunisia, but they put up a decent fight in both matches, and gave plenty of fringe players a chance to stake their claim for the World Cup. This team have been hit by so many injuries over the past few months and that will leave a ton of questions for Marsch to answer within his squad composition for the summer tournament. After consecutive draws with Iceland and Tunisia, here are the looming questions still needing to be answered before the summer.

Picking the 2025-26 Premier League Team of the Season

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Premier League

Every time you open social media and listen to the noise of the 2025-26 Premier League season, you will often hear cries of "worst season ever." Even Arne Slot called the league "boring". I beg to differ. This feels like a season that will come down to the final day, and still have plenty to play for in the remaining fixtures. But before the final run-in, I wanted to cast my Premier League Team of the season for 2025-26.

Tottenham win the award: Most disastrous season in Premier League history

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

With one of the highest wage bills in the league, if Tottenham succumb to relegation, this will be one of the most disastrous seasons of any top-flight side.

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.

Sports Analysis for Journalism & Content Creation – Ebook

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Subscriber Exclusives

I’m sure you’re already familiar with the world of sports media and journalism. You’ve probably grown up watching sports channels, seen Instagram reels, and witnessed the new wave of media begin to replace a lot of the traditional outlets. With that, I want you to think of a typical person that you’ve seen in sports media. I want you to think about how they talk, how they report, how they typically go about their time in front of the screen. Now I want you to throw all of that away.

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.