For the unfamiliar, Forge FC are the Manchester City of the Canadian Premier League. They play a possession-based 4-3-3, stacked with ball-savvy savants, and a culture that embodies winning. The Canadian Premier League's been around since 2019 now. Forge have won the Playoffs in four of the five seasons, and lost the final in the one other at the hands of players they recruited to their team immediately after.
It might be wrong to credit this tactical approach to Pep Guardiola. After all, the origin story to the 'fullback' is because the defender was fully back. However, in operating with a centre-back that steps up into midfield, Guardiola also created a construction within his team that regularly positioned centre-backs out wide. From then on, this approach has only become more popular. It's been the top tactical trend of 2023, and often one that's allowed the best teams in the world to thrive.
Struggling to find the right options inside their midfield at the start of the season, U SPORTS draft-pick Eryk Kobza was given the nod to play alongside Jesse Daley, and the club haven't looked back since. At the age of 21, Kobza's made himself an extremely useful option for Cavalry, doubling as a centre-back and defensive midfielder, swapping roles nearly every other game. Here is why Eryk Kobza should be on your radar.
In the last few years, Chelsea have given away several superstar centre-backs in the making. The likes of Fikayo Tomori and Marc Guéhi went for very little money, only to completely shine at new clubs and prove their worth elsewhere. This season has to be the one where Chelsea stop the nonsense. They have to keep hold of their young, talented centre-making superstars in the making. They have to play Levi Colwill and make him an essential part of their plans. Here is why the former Brighton and Huddersfield loanee should be one of the first-choice centre-backs for the Blues this campaign.
Coming off ecstasy and triumph at last summer's European Championships, England will be full of confidence heading into the 2023 World Cup. But without their captain, some doubts may begin to form. Leah Williamson played an integral part to England's success last year, firmly reminding everyone why she's one of the best defenders in the world. Luckily for the Three Lions, Alex Greenwood is a similar prototype and should help to put all of those doubts to bed. Here is what Greenwood brings to England in the absence of Leah Williamson.
Valour only picked Klaidi Cela up in early April as a result of injuries to two of their centre-backs, but this appears to be a great signing, and one that has given the young Canadian all the confidence he needs to perform on the big stage. Here is our analysis of Klaidi Cela.
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