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! 👊⚽

Lessons from Canada’s 2-0 win over Uzbekistan

Featured 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.

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.

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

Featured 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

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.