Tag: Kalvin Phillips

Replacing Declan Rice at West Ham United – Tactical Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Data Analysis, Defensive Midfield, Player Analysis, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting

The task of replacing Declan Rice is a near impossible task. While you could likely combine his traits in a trio of midfielders for that price, no one that West Ham United could convince to join the club will be able to make such a massive single-handed impact at the London Stadium. Nevertheless, we scoured through the data and footage of hundreds of players to find those most similar to Declan Rice, and those that could make up for some of what's now lost without his services. With that, here is our analysis on how West Ham United can replace Declan Rice.

Explaining the Shuttler – Player Role Analysis

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

Not all 'Shuttlers' get the credit they deserve, even despite being absolute engines and motorcyclists for their teams. They respond brilliantly at all ends of the pitch through that tireless energy and appetite for the game, whilst prioritizing a defensive approach to life in football. N'Golo Kante serves as a perfect reminder of what 'Shuttlers' should strive to be - a player who wonderfully goes box-to-box with ease and admiration, without mitigating their resolute defensive responsibilities.

Jesse Marsch – Leeds United – Tactical Analysis (2021-22)

by Charlie Ellis, posted in Coach Education, Managers, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Premier League, Team Analysis

After years of joy and tactical transformations under Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds United finally made the decision to sack the club legend, with the club desperately clinging on to Premier League safety. Jesse Marsch came in as his successor, and brought with him a sense of optimism that Leeds could stay up for another season. Unfortunately, Marsch's arrival in West Yorkshire has been a roller coaster ride for Leeds so far, with a mix of remarkable highs, and desperate lows. They needed to wait until the final day to secure their safety, ultimately achieving a solid tally of 38 points from 38 matches. So with that, after securing safety, we bring you what you've all been waiting for - our Jesse Marsch Tactical Analysis for 2021-22.

What Jesse Marsch will bring to Leeds United

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Managers, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Premier League, Team Analysis

On a surface level, you may look at Marsch - a man who loves a high pressing system - and think to yourself that Leeds is a match made in heaven for 48-year-old (yes, we know he looks much younger). In reality, the jump from Bielsa to Marsch is a big one, going from an intense man-marking press, to a press that centers around the ball. So with that, today, we analyze what Jesse Marsch will bring to Leeds United, and whether or not the Lillywhites are prepared for the leap.

Fox in the Box – January 2022

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Most Recent, Premier League, Subscriber Exclusives

It's time for our Monthly Magazine of January 2021! In this month's edition of Fox in the Box, we find the next Liverpool front three, explore Dean Smith's massive leap off the bottom of the Premier League table, and answer your questions about the January Transfer Window. Subscribe to our premium subscription for $4.99 per month or login to your account, to view the magazine.

Top 100 Male Footballers 2021 Edition (100-81)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in World Football

The end of the year is nearly here! And that means it's time for our annual Top 100 Footballers list to kick off. This year, you had your say in our voting polls, and this is where you landed. Here is numbers 100-81 in the Top 100 Footballers in the World.

Defensive Midfielder of the Year – Interactive Vote (Top 100 Footballers 2021)

by Rhys Desmond, posted in World Football

The end of year is almost here, and that means it's time for our annual Top 100 Footballers list. This year, you, the readers of our website, will get to have your say. Just simply see the list of nominees below, and rearrange the list to suit your preference of first to last in each position. When we rank the Top 100 Footballers of the Year, we take into consideration a player's form throughout 2021, their club and national team success, difficulty of league, and their reputation + performances in the year prior. You can rank based on any criteria you desire! Below is our poll ranking the best defensive midfielders in 2021.