Just seen the beauty of a goal by Lautaro Martínez v Milan tonight - Watching the replays, his vision of when to look at ball & goal really impressed me. The only time he looks at the goal is when the ball is coming down & he’s about to control
Pau Cubarsí
Doesn’t just play a wonderful pass under press but the prep made it as advantageous as poss - *directional* touch prior to releasing is crucial; all 6 NAP players in frame shift fwd/left - no one anticipating a vertical pass due to body orient
Keep your eyes on Martin Ødegaard - Any & every offensive midfielder out there can learn something - Always positioning himself in a pocket of space but not just that - moving in relation so he has maximum space in the pocket.
👇👇👇
Aaron Collins (1997)🏴 of Bristol Rovers currently sits top of the G/A charts of League 1 with 23 (13 goals, 10 assists)
Both footed, confident, intelligent, mobile forward. Great balance between being clinical & selfless. Very direct.
Rúben Dias displaying the art of not rushing - Composure & confidence spreads
Love how De-Bruyne sees Dias is looking for the forward pass and quickly attacks the open space
Richard Ríos is a player i’ve been keeping a close eye on for a while who my liking for has only grown with time. First of all, an excellent athlete - a physically imposing presence, standing at around 6’1/6’2 with a very robust body + long legs. He picks up serious speed too,…
Have been watching back Estudiantes de La Plata games over the past few weeks to see the quality of Benjamín Rollheiser, and i’m seriously impressed.
Let’s talk some thoughts.
[THREAD] 👇
2+ years after signing, Facundo Pellistri made his debut for Man United tonight. Just 11 minutes playing time but a very bright cameo. Excellent composure & ball control. Beautiful locomotion with ball. Top decision making. Clever movement.
I watched the first half of Wolves v Leicester City U18 in the FA Youth Cup yesterday & Will Alves (2005)🏴 seriously caught my eye - The balance, low centre of gravity, mobility, ball control & ball shielding was mesmerising
Telasco Segovia has been my favourite player to watch at this pre-Olympic.
He has the on ball quality & decisions to make a difference in all phases.
Working hard off the ball to close down+ball win - and doing so across the whole 90; Telasco has played the full duration…
Telasco Segovia (03) vs Argentina sub-23 (Preolímpico 2024). Otro partidazo llevando las riendas de Venezuela. Capaz de asociarse a un toque tras caer a banda, creativo en pases de complejidad con gran precisión, engaño corporal mientras conduce y la esconde rodeado de rivales.
I mentioned that Pau Cubarsi was playing on his less favoured side (= cut pass angles)
This moment however shows the high intelligence & quality of Cubarsi - creates his own angle via body orientation disguise, taking two Betis attackers out of the game.
Amid factors that could have set up for bad moments; playing on less preferred side (=cut passing angles) + receiving poor passes from peers - Pau Cubarsi had a v tidy game on La Liga debut. Bringing his composure+diligence from youth lvl to the pro stage.
He turns 17 tomorrow!
Jacob Beaumont-Clark (Everton U18) was the best player on the pitch yesterday (vs Muthoot)
Lefty showed bags of confidence from the RW, & displayed glimpses of a multi-threat (halves only 25 mins); wide 1v1’s, central carrying, attacking space behind off-the-ball, fending…
🏴U17 are currently 1-0 down against 🇩🇪 via a lovely goal
Righty LCB; Tom Fiederer w a crisp diag switch out to RW; Lennart Karl, of whom takes a clean first touch before creates separation well+playing a lovely diag threaded pass through. Finished off by Alexander ‘Alex’ Staff
Ronan Kpakio (07) w two lovely assists in a friendly for Cardiff City today
Brilliant body orien+direc of touch on first touch of 1st clip. Recognises - begins running early • two-way (inside+out) threat, in 2nd clip. TOR+exec on the money both times
Liked what Ronan Kpakio 🏴showed down the right. Usually operating deeper; was still one of the most flamboyant+positive players on the pitch. Consistently trickery+regular pieces of skill. Liked to drive fwd (infield+out)
Tenacious+self-confident in DEF duels; keen 👁️ to jump in
🇵🇪 have a pure footballer in 2003-born, Joao Grimaldo.
Dynamic and daring.
Evading pressure/beating opponents via craftiness & composed+clever footwork - directional touches before bursting are common; showing quality both when he has to be instinctive, as well as when he has…
You need to see the goal Exeter just scored😮💨
Pedro Borges (05), of whom entered just mins before, drifting inside (+arm use to show want) before a stunning 1st time chipped pass, met by an also stunning volley by Luke Harris (05) (on loan from Fulham)
Simon Adingra with a brilliant assist & goal vs Genk today. Currently on loan at Royale Union Saint-Gilloise from Brighton - 8 goals & 5 assists in 15 league starts this season. Was at FC Nordsjælland & Right to Dream before BHA. Big talent.
Gavi.
-Tracking the initial runner into the box
-The anticipation to go to the goal line, not a second to just ball watch
-Orientated his body flawlessly & incredibly fast to block (arms at side, make body as compact as possible)
After 66 mins, the deadlock between 🏴-🇫🇷U18 has been broken
Trey Nyoni once again on the score sheet w a composed+clinical finish - clever first time pass for the assist by Souleymane ‘Sol’ Sidibe - & don’t ignore the play+nut-meg (😉) by Chris Rigg before-hand
Marc Bernal was excellent vs 🇳🇴U17 today.
The sort of profile that any 🇪🇸, or possession-dominant side needs - you would probably be able to guess that he is a product of La Masia (has been at Barça since age 7).
CM; controller.
Awareness/scanning (+criticals) is absolutely…
It was two of England U19’s substitutes that started & finished the play for their equaliser v Wales U19 today. Jobe Bellingham & Romain Esse, who were also two of England’s best players v Montenegro U19 the other day.
Camavinga seriously struggled vs Lamine Yamal last night, and it’s no surprise.
Lamine has many strings to his bow, in many ways. In the tweet below, of which I made about 11 months ago, I am mainly regarding his ball striking, but, with Lamine we can…
Lamine Yamal is a player with many strings to his bow. He has the ability to properly strike through a ball, put a floating cross to the back post and play a defence splitting pass on the ground - His technique allows him to be brilliant at all. A goal threat & creator in one.
It took Jayden Fevrier less than 5 minutes on debut to show Stockport County fans a glimpse of what his game is about; strong, confident, tricky, w a real two-way threat. Like i’ve said before, you will want to keep an eye on this one
Stockport County have just announced the signing of Jayden Fevrier following a brilliant individual season in an although fun to watch, struggling side. Solid step up in leagues - will be interesting to watch his development further
Tonight, the game post Joao Grimaldo’s exit - Maxloren ‘Max’ Castro got the start & produced the best game of his professional career thus far - his 3rd pro start, 1st since Feb
A few clips👇
Like I say below, a lot of confidence/lack-of-fear. Put some…
After Joao Grimaldo’s exit, was only right that I share another product of the Sporting Cristal academy to follow
07-born; Maxloren ‘Max’ Castro - the youngest player to feature in this 🇵🇪Primera División season thus far.
Like Joao, Max’s fearless personality stands out; direct…
Sergio Palacios (05|🇨🇴) (Once Caldas) is one to keep an eye on
Right-footed CB possesses an imposing frame; great height (roughly 6’4), v long limbs. Like that he defends w whole body; use of arms/putting body in front • clever methods to unbalance/distract (little pushes) inc…
Archie Gray
-Gaining time+space by moving forward then stopping = using defenders momentum against them
-Composure to simply wait
-Disguising pass idea by initially taking touches the opposite way
-Sole to change pass angle
-Spontaneous pass technique
Few clips of 07-born; Joshua ‘Josh’ King, for Fulham U21 tonight (against a Shrewsbury side w the average age of 26.6 - was the best player on the pitch)
Wearing
#24
V highly thought of within Fulham+🏴 youth
Like the look of 2003-born goalkeeper, Owen Goodman. Currently on loan at Colchester United from Crystal Palace. A GK that is more than comfortable stepping out and helping build up - has an impressive on ball temperament & passing range to match - very often tries to …
Adam Wharton continues to impress for Blackburn Rovers. Bit of an all action midfielder - shows for and circulates the ball - gets around the pitch really well in a defensive aspect - wonderfully composed demeanour. Can pick game changing passes with that left foot.
The first touch from Stefan Bajčetić in his goal today is sensational, the composure & intelligence to see the space is top class
What a way to score your first Premier League goal
After Joao Grimaldo’s exit, was only right that I share another product of the Sporting Cristal academy to follow
07-born; Maxloren ‘Max’ Castro - the youngest player to feature in this 🇵🇪Primera División season thus far.
Like Joao, Max’s fearless personality stands out; direct…
Probably won’t be long until we see Mikayil Faye with Barça’s first team for two main reasons. Firstly is that Faye is a special talent - quality with ball at feet, a dominating defender, he has a brilliant mix of calm & aggression when he plays. The second reason is that …
13-year-old Max Dowman’s goal on his debut for Arsenal U17 (v Southampton U17) earlier this week. Has already played twice for Arsenal U18 - very highly rated at Hale End
Being one of the most talented in the world at 17 y/o is rare, but not unheard of. Being one of the highest/most consistent performers in the world at 17 y/o is nothing short of ridiculous
Takefusa Kubo is a player I like a lot. Fearless, sturdy dribbler with great close control. Shows leadership & poise with ball at feet. A creative mind with lovely vision, can picks excellent passes with that left foot - and has even shown a keen eye for goal. No doubt a…
Young lad playing for Man Utd (U12) at the MICFootball’24 called Max Mallem of whom looks a proper player; silky dribbler, lovely footwork
Despite the v tender age, already made a fair bit of noise by joining Utd from Chelsea at the end of last year
The goal he just scored👇
When we talk about Ødegaard’s awareness - we are talking about someone who is the sole reason that ‘Be Your Best’ (A VR football app made to improve players scanning & awareness) has a speed level of 120 - because Ødegaard found the other levels too easy.
David Ozoh’s cameo vs Man City👇
Kept play ticking and was a valuable source of ball retention.
Hard-working & physically immense
Was expecting many EFL clubs trying to get David on loan next month or in the summer - but with cameos like this maybe he’ll stay just where he is
These relational movements/ awareness + brilliant first touch + admirable composure under pressure is why it looks like he has so much time on the ball despite being surrounded by at the time of pass release, 6 players.
Myles Lewis-Skelly is different - at 17 y/o it often looks like he’s the man against kids, at U21 lvl
The mixture of agility, control, composure+power creates beautiful actions like this
Deceitful body shape/direction prior to burst leaves first 2 DEF’s flat-footed
Lovely pass
Take a look at what Toni Fernández just did 🫢
Pure, dynamic footballers passing+imm moving is always a joy to watch. Oscar Ureña understood the assignment with the assist
Fine lines in ⚽️ - first touch by Toni Fernandez is loose but triggers DEF to press harder (harder the lunge=harder to recover) - has the composure to make a clean 2nd touch. After passing, imm moves fwd; love how he offers an option at all heights via movement - flowing w play
Marc Bernal’s game is Barcelona - in a in-poss sense, translates to every lvl of the club w ease. Always one step ahead due to the supreme lvl of composure+awareness - high vol of retention which mostly amounts from ‘safer’ passes, but there is definitely a more vertical eye…
Vítor Roque’s first goal for FC Barcelona - definitely a moment to remember.
Look at 5 seconds into the clip; Vitor drops to receive - it’s important to note how he scans twice, including one while the ball is travelling to him, it serves for high level awareness.
For those…
What a run & finish from Antonio Nusa to put Norway U19 2-1 up against France - Incredibly talented player we hope to see get more minutes for Club Brugge.
Given it’s not completely relevant to the point, but we haven’t even spoke about the pass he makes too. If Ødegaard did all of this minus the pass it would of given hope, but the fact he was efficient after using intelligence is why he’s one of the best.
I had to share this Pau Cubarsí pass for those who hadn’t seen it yet
The Spaniard’s understanding of angles, timing of release+accuracy in execution is top
To play this pass with his ‘weaker’ left foot - how easy it is to forget he only recently turned 17
João Neves with the cleanest tackle you’ll see this weekend.
After winning the ball he goes onto carry it forward, bringing his team up the pitch, before winning a foul
One of the youngest at the tournament but you wouldn’t think it
Rayan Kolli (05|🇩🇿🏴) (QPR) was v bright in that 1H vs Spurs
Dynamic tech+vision, shown many times at youth lvl the ability to pull out the spectacular. Clever pass ideas although raw in exec. Smoothness+comfortability w ball at feet - futsal background ✅
Lamine Yamal is the most polished 16 y/o i’ve ever seen. It’s rare to find a 21/22 y/o with such an effective balance between daring & retention, so to find it in a 16 y/o is quite frankly ridiculous
🔵🔴🌟 Xavi: "Lamine Yamal is practically a chosen one".
"His decision-making is exceptional. He's not perfect of course, he is 16... but how he makes a difference at such an age already tells you the type of player he is and can be".
"His growth this year has been insane".
Robert Renan (2003)🇧🇷 - Left footed CB, extremely composed on ball. Wonderful left foot, great passing range & technique. Really good at disguised passes. Looks to take initiative often; drive forward with ball & break lines. Always instructing & communicating with team mates.
Alejandro Garnacho now has 6 G/A in senior football (2 goals, 4 assists) - 3 assists with his right foot, 2 goals, 1 assist with his ‘weaker’ left foot.
🔝
Bendito Mantato
All wide players need to have this in their game
Diagonal movement inside, holding for longer to drag/distract=creating space for the player holding width
Just imagine the distance/how easy it would be for the DEF to close down the player…
Initial 💭 on Man Utd’s; Bendito Mantato (08)
Rangy (long legs) gives somewhat of a gangly vibe, which radiates nat deception - but also possesses clean control, coord+balance - nice mix of assertiveness+trickery when driving. Loves a step-over &/or feint. Left🦶is always a bonus
Rayan Vitor is a name to remember. Many of his shots are made up of three components - low, powerful & in the corner. Lots of players spend their entire career trying to master this & Rayan already has the foundations. It’s just about growing and growing the consistency
Tyler Dibling vs Newcastle
PL debut | 20+ mins played
Confidence to show for ball (+deep) from get-go. Made a lot of both cute drifts as well as more penetrating fwd runs, to create an option (often not found)
Lower body is fantastic; already has+will
Tyler Dibling makes his Premier League debut
I haven’t watch the game/his cameo yet, but will definitely catch up. If it’s your first time hearing the name I recommend searching ‘Dibling’ into this profile - i’ve wrote quite a lot on him. TOP.
Marselino Ferdinan (2004)🇮🇩 bagged two goals for Persebaya Surabaya today with the first being a great strike from distance. Marselino is making lots of noise in the Asian football world currently. Keep an eye out.
Tyler Dibling’s 2 goals vs Olympique Lyon U21 last night. His off ball movement is crucial in both goals - effective & intelligent: recognising & attacking space.
Always a joy to watch adept dribblers do their thing centrally.
Luka Modric with the intelligence to intercept and make the right pass of a veteran and the burst of speed & fight of a young player with something to prove.
37 years old. Another masterclass on the biggest stage.🍷
Lamine Yamal
-The arm use to cause separation/unbalance+feel the distance between him & defender. Looks unfazed by the contact.
-The body language before the roulette; relaxed/arrogant in a good way demeanour disguises what he’s about to do+triggers the defender to press harder
Mikayil Faye with a beautiful goal on his senior 🇸🇳 debut
His ball-striking quality+potential is huge, plus from FK’s. Has been in real goal-scoring form recently, and i’m sure we will see many more worldies like this across his career
Justin Lerma (08), of whom last month signed a deal w 🇩🇪BVB that will see him officially join in mid-2026 (when he turns 18), was superb for IDV U18 vs Albión today
Take a look at this dribble from early in the 1H
Keep an eye on the situation of Igor Tyjon. Blackburn Rovers have a 💎 in the 08-born, 🏴/🇵🇱 dual-nat - & reports are saying that they’ve offered him the largest contract for a player of his age in the clubs history, as well as a clear path to the 1st team & beyond.
Igor Tyjon (08) was on the bench for Blackburn Rovers’ Championship tie vs Bristol City tonight
We know how much Blackburn value their academy, and how they are not afraid to fast-track+bring to the senior squad those who deserve it
Has represented both 🏴 & 🇵🇱 at youth level
🔎
Arthur Vermeeren captains Antwerp tonight (vs Porto away), just 18 years old - becoming the second youngest captain in UCL history in the process. Brilliant talent.
Arthur Vermeeren is class. Love his demeanour - Composed on the ball, hard working off it. Great first touch & control. Tenacious in duels. Passing precision & technique is very strong. The thing that impresses most is his decision making.
Tyrique George (06) signs a new 3yr deal w Chelsea - how incredibly deserved after the season he had
We know how much Chelsea are acting on the young player market atm - but they have always had, & still v much do; top talent at home
My first post on Tyrique👇 (Aug ‘23)
Simone Pafundi surely wins it for Italy U20 right at the end. One of the youngest players at the tournament yet stepped up when it mattered most. Stunning little player - top talent.
Marc Bernal was supreme today. Oozes confidence, a real controller of play. Composed & effective in tight areas, can evade pressure with silky footwork. Was picking passes of all ranges with ease - thought Barça lost lots of control once Marc was subbed out (60th min)
This goal by Joel Ndala vs Brighton U18 tonight 😮💨 Just look at how quick the legs are moving, and the upper body feints gives a serious unpredictability to if he’s going left or right, takes great two footedness & balance. Finished brilliantly too
Watching Alex Scott for Bristol City, it’s clear he’s a level above, but for the clubs interested in buying him, the fact he continues to standout when playing for England youth teams, against & alongside some of the best young players around, is very reassuring.
Luca Koleosho must’ve put serious effort in during his time away from the pitch because he looked as sharp as anything on his first official game in 9 months. The intensity w/+w/out the ball, in an OFF & DEF sense, for the first 55 mins was fantastic. Fatigue did catch up.
Unfortunate news coming out of Burnley; Luca Koleosho’s injury will keep him out for a sustained period - V. Kompany said the next time he plays will most likely be towards the end of the season. Koleosho was having a very bright first season in the PL - a constant energetic…
Before entering the box, Fermín López lessens the speed he’s going at significantly; so he doesn’t go ahead of the ball + can come onto the ball with momentum
It’s not the first time 👇📈
“The last one to enter the box is the one most likely to score”
Fermín López goal v Mallorca on Tuesday is another example of why there always needs to be people holding back in the box. On the flip side, without Lewandowski’s forward run, there would’ve been less space/more attention on where Fermín scored from.
👇…
Rumours are saying, Fabricio Díaz (2003)🇺🇾 could join Barça for just €6M. I’ve known about Diaz for a while now as he was making big noise in Uruguay but the Sudamericano Sub 20 is where he really assured people he is a top of the range talent
…
Currently doing some research on Mikayil Faye - 19 year old, left footed CB who has been heavily linked to FC Barcelona.
Just came across this free kick attempt - Forget the sheer bottle to try it, look at the technique & how close it was to going in!
Last night, also caught R. Salt Lake-LA Galaxy
Heard a lot about Andrés Gómez (02|🇨🇴),& since watching i’m even more intrigued
Righty (strong willingness+qual in boot of left), of whom played as a RW, displayed great directness & no fear to his play - let that style digest for…
Actions like this are why we love watching Kendry Páez so much. He can control wayward passes with ease, not just control, but set up a progressive, efficient next move.
2 first time, brilliantly weighted, improvised passes.
Chris Rigg (07) showing for ball deep(er) to turn+progress • good arm use to show want
Tommy Watson (06) smoothly+confidently taking on DEF, & showing his nat two-way threat
Should no one snap either up, Sunderland fans can look fwd to seeing more of this
Franco Mastantuono vs Lanús
Fairly high vol of circulation • many lovely moments displaying ™️close control, light-footedness, & intelligent *timed* directional touches/shifts to evade/win fouls • few eye-catching disguised passes
& more
Let’s talk some actions (w clips)👇🧵
Few clips of Valentin Barco from Brighton’s friendly earlier today
Possesses such a high lvl of dynamism/creativity, w all the technical quality to match - w ball at feet+on releases
Passing+imm attacking fwd
Tenacious edge
Wonderful footballer
Tudor Mendel-Idowu seriously looks untouchable at times. So press resistant it’s crazy. One area for improvement that will take it to an even higher level though is arm use to fend off defenders. It’s not something he ignores doing but for someone who engages in as many …
Gerard Mullol (Barça U14)
MICFootball’24
Tidy CM - v Barça-like; textbook (half-turn, fwd facing) receptions
Mature pass selection; crisp short-mid range
Close control, nimbleness & awareness to step away w ⚽️ at🦶
Adept in tight spaces; high volume of 1-3 touches before release
Shea Lacey (2007)🏴 started & bagged 2 assists for Manchester United U18 v Blackburn Rovers today. One of the most gifted young players in the country with a magical left foot. Remember the name.
Estevão Willian is incredibly effective at creating a shooting angle/yard of space for himself, via tricky/crafty feet, fake shots & deceptive body feints. So nimble, great burst from stand point positions. His ability to shoot with both feet is a huge plus also.
Watched Once Caldas-Atlético Nacional from the other night, & Sergio Palacios was once again strong
The initial stand-out is his size, but just as eye-catching or even more so, that is despite the frame; has a good spring+lvl of coordination - isn’t as clunky as you’d expect…
Another good game by Sergio Palacios last night as his side beat Águilas Doradas 1-0
This was a nice tackle late-on; good timing - not being over-eager & engaging w initial player • showing his nice mix of good spring+long legs
Pau Cubarsí played a monumental match tonight.
One of the most composed, strategic & advantageous dictators of play from the CB position around.
& we mustn’t ignore the defensive performance either; never shied away from the physical prospect of Osimhem & co - was incredibly…