Tag: Chelsea

Game of Numbers #33 – Nicolas Jackson & the art of extra touches to score goals

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Premier League, Striker

Chelsea's greatest crux over the past few years has been the lack of a goal-scoring centre-forward up front. Nicolas Jackson came into the club this season to not only be their goal-scoring '9', but to be someone that could offer so much more in producing for others in Pochettino's system. He's delivered on both fronts this season, even if struggling to score and assist to the same heights as some of the best strikers in the league. Here is what Nicolas Jackson offers Chelsea at the age of 22, and where he can still improve from here.

Game of Numbers #26 – James Ward-Prowse & West Ham on the break

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Match Analysis, Player Analysis, Premier League

Despite Brighton's high-flying start to the season, I worried about what would happen when faced with a truly great counter-attacking side, given the space out wide in their shape. Well, in came West Ham United, one of the best counter-attacking teams in the world. Here is Game of Numbers #26, starting with how West Ham perfectly exploited Brighton's greatest weakness.

Why Mateo Kovačić is perfect for Manchester City

by Charlie Ellis, posted in Central Midfield, Data Analysis, Player Analysis, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Team Analysis

After five fairly stellar and underappreciated years at Chelsea, Mateo Kovačić has left the club and signed with Manchester’s most recent treble winners. New ownership at Stamford Bridge led to a drastic rebuild from their 2021 Champions League winning squad, and the time came for one of their most consistent performers over the years to exit the building. Manchester City took full advantage, making him an apt replacement for the loss of Ilkay Gündoğan and the potential loss of silky smooth Bernardo Silva.

Why Levi Colwill is perfect for Chelsea

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Centre Backs, Data Analysis, Player Analysis, Premier League

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.

Guro Reiten – Player Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Defensive Midfield, Player Analysis, Women's Football

Norway have one of the most formidable teams in women's football, yet have not amounted to their potential at any major tournament in recent memory. The likes of Caroline Graham Hansen and Ada Hegerberg will be hoping to change those fortunes around, but the player that will perhaps be most integral to their success is Guro Reiten - coming off the season of her life with Emma Hayes' Chelsea. This is our analysis of Guro Reiten, and why she's set to play a pivotal role in Norway's time at the 2023 World Cup.

Why Mason Mount is perfect for Manchester United

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Attacking Midfield, Central Midfield, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting

While it's true that Mason Mount didn't hit quite the same high notes in 2022-23, the same could be said of any Chelsea player. For Manchester United to now swoop in for one of the most highly rated midfielders on the planet at even a £60 million fee could be one of the signings of the summer. With that, we assess why Mason Mount is perfect for an Erik Ten Hag team, and why Mount's career could be set to progress from here.