Tag: Player Analysis

How to move off the ball like a world class winger

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Player Education, Winger

In the modern era, wingers can be as vital to scoring goals and creating chances as any other position on the pitch. Elite superstars like Mohamed Salah and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have illustrated this to a tee this year, for both their goal scoring prowess and chance creation supremacy. But most young players aspiring to be the world's best struggle to see the finer details of exactly how the likes of Salah and Kvara find themselves in those scoring positions. With that, we break down how to move off the ball like a world class winger, with real examples from the likes mentioned above, in addition to Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Alex Morgan.

Game of Numbers #11 – How to dribble like Jude Bellingham

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Coach Education, Game of Numbers, German Bundesliga, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Player Education

Without Jude Bellingham, where would Borussia Dortmund be right now? They've been missing Marco Reus, Mats Hummels hasn't been up to pace (literally), and all the newboys haven't quite hit the ground running as expected (perhaps Salih Özcan aside). This has meant that Jude Bellingham has needed to carry the weight of the team on his shoulders, getting on the ball at every turn to work his magic.

Why Julian Ryerson caught the eye of Borussia Dortmund

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Data Analysis, Fullback, German Bundesliga, Player Analysis, Recruitment & Scouting, Wing-Back

Across the 2021-22 campaign, Julian Ryerson struggled for minutes in a competitive Union Berlin side loaded with wing-backs. But this season, he's become the starlet of the side from the wings, fulfilling his wing-back role to great effect from either side. His form in 2022-23 caught the eye of Borussia Dortmund, who snapped him up for a meek €5 million fee. Here is our analysis as to why the Black & Yellows made a move for Julian Ryerson, and what he will bring to Signal Iduna Park.

Explaining the Target – Player Role Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Data Analysis, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Player Education, Recruitment & Scouting, Striker, World Cup 2022

Historically known as the 'Target Man', we've rebranded this term to be all encompassing. More than just about any role, the word 'Target' immediately paints a picture of the type of player we're looking for. That is, someone strong, typically tall, aerially savvy, robust, and frequently used by their team as a target for advancing up the pitch. In the hockey sense, they would typically be the one responsible for 'roughing up the opposition'

Explaining the Creative Link – Player Role Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Data Analysis, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Player Education, Recruitment & Scouting, Striker

Creative Links are quite similar to our attacking midfielder persona - the 'Creative Ten'. The main difference is that they play up front, and typically conduct more of their play with their back to goal in linking up with their teammates. You could call them a 'False 9', a playmaking centre-forward, or something between a '9' and a '10.'

Antoine Griezmann – Player Analysis – 2022 World Cup

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Attacking Midfield, Player Analysis, World Cup 2022

Antoine Griezmann has been a pivotal figurehead in each of Didier Deschamps' major tournament successes, but the 2022 World Cup might just be his best of all. The French playmaker has created more chances than any other player at the tournament (4 per 90), bagging 3 assists in his 6 appearances as he works to support the wondrous efforts of Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé. Griezmann's been perfect as a '10' for France - a role that few dare to play him in despite his incredible tactical nous and uncanny awareness of space. Here is our analysis of Antoine Griezmann ahead of the 2022 World Cup Final.

Lionel Messi – Player Analysis – World Cup 2022

by Charlie Ellis, posted in Most Recent, Player Analysis, Striker, World Cup 2022

After coming desperately close in 2014, Lionel Messi now has another shot of World Cup glory, in what could be his final act at the prestigious tournament. The 35-year-old has been absolutely brilliant at the 2022 showcase, scoring 5 goals with 3 assists in 6 matches, and coming up with some of the most significant single-handed efforts we've seen from anyone at the tournament. Here is our analysis of Lionel Messi at the 2022 World Cup.

Explaining the Channel Runner – Player Role Analysis

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Data Analysis, Masterclasses, Most Recent, Player Analysis, Player Education, Recruitment & Scouting, Striker

Channel Runners are one of our most unique prototypes, based off the common phrase used for strikers that "run the channels". They typically exist in a front-two, and in teams that intermix moments of counter-attacking football with quick and incisive long passes over the top. The use of a striker in this manner remains a more common approach to life in the women's game, as strikers across all realms are becoming more versatile (and advised for that matter) in dropping into build-up play to receive the ball.