Tag: Transfer Market Analysis

Why Joško Gvardiol is the complete package for Manchester City

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Centre Backs, Fullback, German Bundesliga, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting

Manchester City don't usually splash the cash for massive, absurd fees, unless they are 100% confident that the player has the potential to be transformative. That's already a compliment to the quality of their latest signing - Joško Gvardiol, who's just signed for a reported fee of £77.6 million. Sure, it's less than Manchester United spent on Harry Maguire. But it's still a massive fee for a centre-back, even despite his age, profile, potential and future. Nevertheless, the massive fee looks to be justified for City, giving Guardiola exactly what he's looking for from the left-side of his defensive set-up. Here is why Joško Gvardiol could be the complete package for City.

Why Declan Rice is the complete package for Arsenal

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

Declan Rice is more than worth the money. He will be critical for the Gunners next season as they look to challenge for the title, and could even go on to show everyone why he's one of the best Premier League players we've ever seen. Here is why Declan Rice is the perfect package for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.

Why İlkay Gündoğan is perfect for Barcelona

by Charlie Ellis, posted in Central Midfield, Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Recruitment & Scouting

After a UEFA Champions League winning campaign, a considerable loss for Guardiola’s Man City becomes a remarkable gain for Xavi’s Barcelona. İlkay Gündoğan had been a stalwart in the treble winners’ eleven for the past season, and for good reason. He’s one of the most technically and tactically gifted footballers on the planet, and became a surprise threat in front of goal in his final three seasons at the club.

Why Harvey Barnes is perfect for Newcastle United

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Masterclasses, Player Analysis, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Subscriber Exclusives, Winger

In what is now their second summer under new ownership where they have the reigns to splash the cash on players as they please, Newcastle United continue to spend their money wisely. They haven't made much of an attempt to lure some of the world's greatest players over to their squad on hefty contracts, instead, … Continue reading Why Harvey Barnes is perfect for Newcastle United

Why Moussa Diaby is perfect for Aston Villa

by Rhys Desmond, posted in German Bundesliga, Player Analysis, Premier League, Recruitment & Scouting, Subscriber Exclusives, Winger

In one of the steals of the summer so far, Aston Villa have pulled off an absolute coup in signing Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen, one of the most highly sought after players in the world. Diaby could have gone to a Champions League club with ease, but has chosen to work under Unai Emery's growing project at Aston Villa. It's a clear sign of the pull Emery has in the transfer market, but also a clear demonstration of Aston Villa's ambitions, and their awareness of which players perfectly fit the way they want to play. Here is why Diaby is perfect for the Villains.

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.

Why all footballers need to be versatile

by Rhys Desmond, posted in Coach Education, Coaching, Masterclasses, Player Education

As young players develop their game and often get pigeon-held into certain positions and roles, I often encourage them to develop variety and versatility within the number of roles and positions they can play.