Category: Recruitment & Scouting

How Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal could look in 2026-27

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Team Analysis

Arteta's made subtle adjustments in the transfer window to keep his squad the same, adding only a few pieces to the puzzle. The only loss is Leandro Trossard, and it's safe to say that United, Liverpool and City have endured greater losses. Meanwhile, Bruno Guimarães adds another versatile dimension in midfield, and Greek international Christos Tzolis has looked bright in the pre-season to make up for that Trossard loss. Here is everything you need to know about Arteta's Arsenal in 2026-27, and why they may just win the title again.

How Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool could look in 2026-27

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Team Analysis

After winning the title in Arne Slot's first Premier League campaign, Liverpool endured one of their worst seasons across the past decade in his second, ultimately resulting in an end of season sacking. Three points below them, Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth secured European football for the first time in club history. Despite that, the prospect of taking the wheel at one of football's most historic club must have been too good to turn down, and we now prepare for a new evolution in Liverpool's post-Klopp era. Here is a look into Andoni Iraola's Liverpool, and what they still need to solve in the transfer market ahead of the first fixture.

How Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City could look in 2026-27

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Team Analysis

The 2026-27 season will mark the first time in ten years that Pep Guardiola has not been one of the dominant forces in the Premier League. After six Premier League trophies and a Champions League title to his name, Pep Guardiola finally closed the curtains on his time at Manchester City, making way for a new era. Now, as the season nears closer, it appears that an irreplaceable player could be on their way out. Here is how Manchester City might look next season.

How Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham Hotspur could look in 2026-27

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Team Analysis

Roberto De Zerbi managed to do something remarkable in quickly instilling a high intensity, press and possess 4-3-3, whilst predominantly just showing the players that they were cared for and looked after. With more time to properly employ his methodologies, we could see a Tottenham Hotspur side ready to challenge for the top four. Here is how Spurs could look next season under Roberto De Zerbi.

How Michael Carrick’s Manchester United could look in 2026-27

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Premier League, Managers, Recruitment & Scouting, Team Analysis

After a string of successive failings at Manchester United, Michael Carrick brought a breath of fresh air to the club at the start of the year. The Red Devils lost just two of their seventeen matches with Carrick in charge, winning twelve and drawing three. We'll never know what might have been possible had he been in charge from the start of last season. But now we'll get a chance to find out all that is possible in 2026-27. The next few weeks will now be Carrick's time to prepare the squad for all the continued harmony they witnessed from January to June. Integrating Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos will be important puzzle pieces in that quest. And as they do, Carrick just might found out whether or not he still needs to find a like-for-like replacement for Casemiro.

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

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.

Why Hugo Ekitiké has worked when so many big money signings have flopped

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Striker

Every summer, Premier League clubs spend £80m–£100m chasing the next superstar forward. Every season, the league humbles them. But Hugo Ekitiké has been the exception. Ten goals, instant adaptation, and a playing style that personifies Liverpool's identity. Here is why he’s worked when so many other big-money signings have stalled.