Category: Player Analysis

Explaining the Wing-Back – Player Role Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Data Analysis, Fullback, German Bundesliga, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Player Education, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Wing-Back

A wing-back, as the name suggests, is a full-back that operates up and down the wing, holding particular importance in attacking phases. They may contribute to the defensive side of the game, and they may even invert into central areas. But wing-backs do their best work down the by-line, where they can deliver crosses into the box, utilize their trickery and skill to go 1v1, and surge up the field through their dynamic pace and timing of movement into dangerous areas. Here is our latest Player Role Analysis.

Why Jordyn Huitema is perfect for OL Reign

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Most Recent, NWSL, Player Analysis, Recruitment & Scouting, Striker, Winger, Women's Football

After excelling for PSG in France, Canadian youngster Jordyn Huitema appears to be days away from making a return to North America, where she will ply her trade as an important member of OL Reign's attack. News broke on Thursday thanks to The Athletic's Meg Linehan, following Reign's recent signings of veteran Tobin Heath and Arsenal's Kim Little on loan. Expected to be more of a long-term signing to improve upon Reign's attacking horizons, Jordyn Huitema provides the perfect mix of pace and pizzazz to Laura Harvey's team. Here is why Jordyn Huitema could be set to ignite the NWSL on fire.

Diyaeddine Abzi – Player Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Canadian Premier League, Fullback, Player Analysis, Wing-Back

After an electric start to the 2022 Canadian Premier League season, Diyaeddine Abzi has officially been transferred from York United all the way to Ligue 2's Pau FC in France. After finishing 10th in Ligue 2 last season, Pau FC were in the market for reinforcements to their team, and Diyaeddine Abzi provides an excellent overall package to excel at his new club. We examine why Pau FC took a chance on the Canadian youngster, and the potential for Abzi to excel at his new club.

Undervalued Premier League Talents: Jean-Philippe Mateta

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Player Analysis, Premier League, Striker

An encouraging season for Palace fans ended in a 12th place finish, with more work to be done in Patrick Vieira's progression with the team from the days of Roy Hodgson. When the season began, Palace had a host of new faces bringing much in the way of fan fare, from Michael Olise to Odsonne Edouard. Both had their moments in the limelight and achieved acclaim for their performances. But one man who went quietly under the radar in his second season with the Eagles was Jean-Philippe Mateta, who became an important starter for the team toward the second half of the campaign.

Tactical Thinker: Relegated stars that should stay in the Premier League next season

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Most Recent, Player Analysis, Premier League

Norwich and Watford made 2021-22 a notoriously bad season for the Premier League's bottom two clubs. Luckily, the fight away from the final relegation spot ended full of entertainment and intrigue, with Everton, Leeds and Burnley battling it out to stay alive. Ultimately, the Clarets would succumb to relegation on the final day, even despite a late push under new management. Now with Burnley, Norwich and Watford heading down to the Championship, we asked you to conjure up the names of the players you think should stay in the Premier League in 2022-23. We received a multitude of responses from our readership, and these were the most common names to hit the board, and the clubs that could be best suited for their signatures.

Undervalued Premier League Talents: Leandro Trossard

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Attacking Midfield, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Premier League, Striker, Wing-Back, Winger

Despite finishing ninth place in the table, very few players from Brighton & Hove Albion achieved their deserved acclaim this season. Someone like Leandro Trossard went quietly under the radar, despite contributing to 11 of their 42 goals in his 34 appearances. Trossard's market value has only risen to 17 million as per Transfermarkt. But as a full Belgian international who can play either as a wide man, wing-back or second striker, Trossard would prove to be an excellent pick-up for any Premier League club, especially ones looking to add an edge to their Champions League dreams.

Explaining the Inverted Fullback – Player Role Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Data Analysis, Fullback, German Bundesliga, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Player Education, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting

Fullbacks are not always the flashiest of players, nor do they garner the greatest attention, even despite their importance to creating and generating chances in the modern game. That is precisely why a system like our Role Continuity Evaluation System works on so many levels, as we are able to adequately assess the important characteristics to a player's performance, while minimizing the scrutinization over less important facets of the player's game. Within the system, we break down full-backs into three broad categories: 'Wide Warriors', 'Wing-Backs', and the topic of today's article - the 'Inverted Fullback'. So with that, we explain the tasks, functions and role of an 'Inverted Fullback' and outline some of the very best in the position in 2022.

Undervalued Premier League Talents: Christian Eriksen

by Charlie Ellis, posted in Attacking Midfield, Central Midfield, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Premier League

On Saturday February 26th, the Premier League witnessed one of its most harmonic cheers, heard all across the globe. The day marked the remarkable return of Danish superstar Christian Eriksen, making his debut for Brentford after suffering a heart attack during Euro 2020 for his native Denmark. For Bees fans, it was a momentous occasion. But Eriksen played it cool, almost as though it was just another day at the office.