Tag: Tactics

How to coach pressing & the five most common pressing triggers

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Masterclasses, Subscriber Exclusives

Pressing was all the rage from the late 2010's to the early 2020's. Some of the most successful teams across that period played a "high-pressing" game, including Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. But today, press and possess styles of play have started to die out. Brighton have been the best example of a team deploying a press and possess system in the Premier League this season. But they are one of only a few. For those that might be working in coaching environments or just studying how a team like Brighton become so successful at such an intense approach, here are some of the most important details.

Bruno Fernandes isn’t helping

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Attacking Midfield, Player Analysis, Premier League

This season, the Portuguese playmaker has been underwhelming to say the least. On paper, Bruno's start to the season looks okay. He's scored 3 goals with 1 assist inside those 7 matches, and he's still producing a high output when it comes to things like line-breaking passes, accurate long passes, and shots. Unfortunately, stats like these only tell one side of the story.

Matheus Cunha is crazy, but that’s part of his charm

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Attacking Midfield, Game of Numbers, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Premier League, Striker, Subscriber Exclusives, Winger

Always playing on the edge, getting in the face of the opponents, and dancing his way through celebrations, Cunha is the fighting spirit that can bring United out of a slump.

The standout U-23 players in the Premier League so far in 2026-27

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Central Midfield, Centre Backs, Data Analysis, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Player Education, Premier League

The Premier League is known for being the most demanding, competitive league in the world. But that has never stopped the world's best young players from gaining substantial minutes on the field. It's not just other European leagues where young players can learn their trade before making a big move to one of Europe's elite. They can start right at the very top too, and even make their mark at some of the biggest clubs in the world. With so many standout young players to start the season, I wanted to analyze three of the best. Here are the standout U23 players to start the 2026-27 season.

Elliot Anderson’s start to life at Manchester City, and what happens next?

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

If you've been living under a rock during this international break from club football, you may have missed that Manchester City have been charged with 114 Premier League financial rule breaches. If the punishment fits the crime, Manchester City will almost certainly be relegated from the league, meaning they will lose all of their strongest assets at the club. Players like Elliot Anderson, who have just come in for 100 million pounds, will soon be surplus to requirements. So what happens now for a player like Anderson?

What we learned from Canada’s friendly wins over Chile and Peru

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Masterclasses, Team Analysis

Canada's first matches since the World Cup revealed a team with more quality, competition and depth than ever before. Luc De Fougerolles and Nathan Saliba strengthened their claims for automatic starting roles, while Liam Millar and Jacob Shaffelburg continued to impress. The next generation have shown that they're not waiting around for their opportunity. They're taking it. Here is what we learned from Canada's wins against Chile and Peru.

Fabian Hürzeler – Brighton – Tactical Analysis

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

Brighton have been one of the best teams in the Premier League so far in 2026-27, topping the charts on goals, xG, and clean sheets. They're also second in the possession table behind only Manchester City, as one of the only remaining 'press and possess' teams in the league. Along the way, they've been tactically flexible and complex, making for one of the most fun teams to root for right now. Here is an analysis of Fabian Hürzeler's Brighton so far in 2026-27.

Xabi Alonso – Chelsea – Tactical Analysis

Featured by Rhys Desmond, posted in Managers, Masterclasses, Premier League, Team Analysis

It's been four Premier League matches for Xabi Alonso at Chelsea, and already, the Blues are so much more fun. They're scoring goals left, right, and centre, have the most harmonious and eye-pleasing front three in the league, and a tactically complex shape full of new faces and utter disorganization in defense. Chelsea fans might have been hoping for a slightly better start to this season, but they can be optimistic about the club's direction under Xabi Alonso. Here is an analysis of Chelsea so far this season, and what needs to change.