Author: Anthony Onifade

The negative press on our young black footballers is tarnishing our game

The negative press on our young black footballers is tarnishing our game

What Kind of Journalism is this?!

After looking at the Mirror’s online headline above surrounding Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood, I am so appalled as to how our young footballers are being viewed and treated by the British media. As a young black individual myself, it is very disturbing.

What the British media are so good at is praising our fresh young talent and placing them in the limelight only just to bring them down again. It is a recurring theme and its probably why our British talents over the past decade haven’t reached the heights that their early years have promised.

So many of our stars have experienced it over the years, and its something that needs to be looked at, something that needs to be discussed. Why do we see so many other stars across Europe flourish? It’s because those players are supported by everyone across their own countries, as well as the media.

Over here, it isn’t the same narrative.

It’s probably why England haven’t won a major tournament in so long, because of so much media scrutiny and negative pressure.

Mason Greenwood over the past few weeks has been the latest victim of such, and fair enough, he’s had a tough few months, and that can be said for almost every other human being on the planet, and that is not taken into consideration from newspapers such as the Mirror.  What they are forgetting is that he is only 19-years-old, barely an adult and yet he is still receiving much media scrutiny.

After enjoying such a remarkable breakthrough season last year, in which he recorded 17 goals in his first year as a first-team squad player, it revealed so much about Greenwood and his incredible abilities and that has obviously been highlighted and praised by the media, but then to bring him crashing right back down after a few mistakes really is not right.

Certainly, the forward made a mistake in September after being spotted with Phil Foden breaking lockdown procedures whilst on international duty for England, and he’s apologised for it along with the Manchester City midfielder. But while Foden has been left alone, the scrutiny and negative press surrounding Greenwood has ridiculously heightened.

Here we have yet another Raheem Sterling incident like we had two years ago where the Manchester City forward was pictured in a negative light because of a “controversial” tattoo on his right leg. Sterling addressed it, stating that the British media intentionally set out to destroy young footballers by ‘fuelling racism and aggressive behaviour’, when comparing Daily Mail reports on Phil Foden and Tosin Adarabioyo who both bought houses for their parents which brought much attention and debate:

It is a real shame and it is still the same case today.

Mason Greenwood is only human, he’s only 19-year-old, and while there is room to encourage him and get behind him as he aims to deal with his current situation, the British media instead set out to intentionally make things even more difficult.

It’s got to stop.

He reportedly lost a close friend to suicide, and to make matters worse, there were silly rumours stating that he’d been the subject of rape, when clearly the headline in the Daily Mail clearly stated ‘Premier League star in his 20s arrested on suspicion of rape and false imprisonment in his home’, why is there a sudden jump to the conclusion that Greenwood is the culprit?

It’s sickening. It’s false and it’s not right.

Just because he’s going through a tough period does not mean we can also spread false rumours surrounding the player.

Mason Greenwood is a talented individual and should be left to his football club to help him get through this period. Such is life, these things happen and a footballer is no different, they are humans too, not robots. These are individuals going through a lot also, and the media negativity is not helping matters.

Whatever happened to positive press? Let’s get behind one of our own and support them, not bring them down.

Fred Once Again Exerting His Importance to Solskjaer

Fred Once Again Exerting His Importance to Solskjaer

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stated before the game versus Everton that Fred and Scott McTominay are his most stable and ‘disciplined’ partnership allowing his attackers to thrive.

Against Everton, the pair were at their sparkling best from the first whistle, with some excellent sharp passing, solid defensive screening and energy levels that Everton’s midfield could not deal with.

It’s no wonder why Solskjaer always relies on both Fred and McTominay in the big fixtures, and they rarely put a foot wrong. In Solskjaer’s customary 4-2-3-1 shape, both players within the double pivot are required to offer defensive stability as well as the qualities to be influential in the build-up play.

While Matic and Paul Pogba both possess the latter, they do not offer the same defensive shielding that both Fred and McTominay have so regularly provided, as evidenced in United’s 6-1 mauling to Tottenham at Old Trafford.

Every time United lost the ball in that game, there was always the threat that Tottenham would score at the other end and that was down to the lack of discipline, slack positional play and laboured pressing, and its why since then, Solskjaer has not turned towards the pairing of both Matic and Pogba.

The real question for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is, will the Fred-McTominay pivot be the go-to midfield partnership for much of the campaign? If so, what does that mean for Pogba, Matic and Van de Beek? Or will he turn to Fred and McTominay only when needs must? It is a huge headache to have but a luxurious one.

But if one player has proven his worth to the Manchester United boss, and has staked a strong claim for a regular berth then its got to be Brazilian Fred whose growth, maturity, understanding and performance levels over the past year has been nothing short of brilliant.

The 26-year-old midfielder is an example to any Premier League footballer currently struggling to come to terms with the rigours of the league, that with constant hard work and willingness to improve, you can turn things around and Fred has exemplified that since.

At Goodison Park, Fred provided a timely reminder that he is Solskjaer’s go-to man in midfield. Both he and McTominay provided United with the platform to strut their stuff going forward. As well as possessing the defensive stability, both also possess the mobility and speed – in contrast to Nemanja Matic – to cover much distance and screen the middle third and also uniquely the personal discipline to play in that role and not be tempted to abandon post in search of greater impact further up the pitch – in contrast to Paul Pogba.

Fred’s heatmap against Everton {WhoScored}

Much of that work further up the pitch is handed to Fernandes, Rashford and Martial, but that’s not to say Fred cannot make a telling contribution. One skill the Brazilian has always held even despite his struggles early on in his United career is the ability to find his teammates in penetrative areas and he did just that against Everton, his pass for Rashford – which the forward should have scored – was simply unerring, dissecting the Everton back-line at will.

So far this season, the Brazilian has recorded 5 progressive passes per 90, as well as 5 passes into the final third highlighting his incredible distribution in between the lines of play. His ability to distribute the ball in tight spaces and still find his man is an unappreciated aspect of his game.

Fred’s stats against Everton highlight his significance to the United team even further.

He completed 61 passes (of 67 attempted, 91% accuracy), at least 19 more than any team-mate, 2 key passes, 5 long balls, 3 accurate through balls, 2 successful tackles and 1 interceptions {WhoScored}. These are stats that point towards Fred’s all action style, and just the kind of influence he brings to the United cause.

He’s also amongst the most intense pressers in Europe’s top five leagues this season so far:

It’s pretty damning to say that the Brazilian is currently keeping Paul Pogba out of the Manchester United team, but if you evaluate Fred’s performances over the past few games, you should come to the conclusion that he deserves such a spotlight.

James Ward-Prowse the Unsung Hero at Southampton

James Ward-Prowse the Unsung Hero at Southampton

SOUTHAMPTON’S 4-3 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park took them up to fifth in the Premier League table after seven games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8qH7JlgSd0

A game which highlighted the significant growth under Ralph Hasenhüttl over the past year, and the progress the club as a whole are currently undergoing. Sunday’s win took their unbeaten streak to five games since their capitulation at home to Tottenham Hotspur mid-September.

It is a run that has given the whole club some cause for optimism for the campaign, and questions are already being asked whether Hasenhüttl can lead the club that one step further, challenge for a Europa League place.

He certainly holds the players to achieve the unthinkable and while many have leaped to the praise of the resurgent Danny Ings over the past year, it is their current club captain James Ward-Prowse whose performances, technical abilities and leadership has quietly gone under the radar. However, his wonderful technical attributes were brought to the fore against Villa with two sumptuous free-kicks to race his side into a 3-0 lead before half-time.

Ward-Prowse’s two goals took his free-kick tally for Southampton to eight, surpassing the legendary Matt Le Tissier’s record of 7.

It also made him the ninth player in Premier League history to score two direct free-kick goals in a game and the first since Christian Eriksen for Tottenham against Swansea in October 2015.

And while the midfielder may receive such stark praise for his two fabulous efforts, his performances and consistency as a whole over the past year should also given deserved acclaim.

Ward-Prowse is arguably amongst the best midfielders in the division right now, proving to be at the heart of everything good about Southampton since that torrid night against Leicester last year. His goal against Everton on Matchday 6 also provided the wow-factor, a goal representing his tremendous technical qualities on the ball.

Certainly, his free-kicks and corner kicks are an art form but its his engine on the pitch, the ease at which he fulfils numerous responsibilities within such a hugely demanding philosophy such as Hasenhüttl’s in the centre of midfield is just as effective as it is brilliant. If you analyse the midfielder’s game, he is a player who is just as efficient without the ball as he is with it. He already averages 1.9 tackles per game, 0.9 interceptions, as well as 2 blocks, 4.14 successful pressures to an opponent per 90 this season, a real metronome in the centre of the pitch.

The England international is a trustworthy and reliable outlet for Hasenhüttl and the German coach knows it:

“It’s no coincidence he’s our captain, he’s our role model for what we stand for, he’s an unbelievable fighter for the team.”

Ralph Hasenhüttl praises his club captain

James Ward-Prowse is indeed a fighter, his off-the-ball and defensive duel numbers are outstanding, and its about time the 26-year-old is recognized for the kind of impact he offers in such a well-rounded and finely balanced Southampton team.

His partnership with Oriol Romeu of late provides the team with a solid foundation, both players give as much as each other when in possession and without it. They both know how to find their more forward teammates in dangerous areas, and also when combat a potential counter or press the opposition once they’ve lost the ball.

If Ward-Prowse can keep up his rich vein of form and fitness for much of the campaign, there’s no reason why Southampton can’t mount a serious challenge for the Europa League places. With Danny Ings out for 4-6 weeks with a knee injury, their need for James Ward-Prowse couldn’t be any clearer.

Dominik Szoboszlai – Scout Report

Dominik Szoboszlai – Scout Report

THE ‘Hungarian Kevin De Bruyne’ and arguably the most valuable player in the Austrian Bundesliga, Dominik Szoboszlai is quickly turning a lot of heads around Europe with his scintilating performances for Red Bull Salzburg this past year.

Along with Erling Braut Haaland and Takumi Minamino, before their January departures, Szoboszlai formed the base and foundations of an exciting RB Salzburg attack which also wreaked havoc in the Champions League last season.

Already in the Champions League this campaign, he’s already become the youngest Hungarian to notch two goals from two consecutive Champions League matches, his second coming at the Wanda Metropolitano against Atletico Madrid. A quite brilliant goal too and the first against Lokomotiv Moscow, an even better one:

Dominik Szoboszlai quickly emerged as one of the key pieces in the attacking setup, now with Haaland and Minamino out of the picture, Szoboszlai could be next in line for a big money move away next summer.

With Arsenal, Liverpool, Leicester City, Roma and Inter Milan reportedly scouring for his gifted services in the past, this report will provide brief overview of his career to date, and a detailed analysis showing just why he is so highly coveted in Europe.

 

Who is Dominik Szoboszlai? 

Born in Székesfehérvár, Hungary. Szoboszlai’s first career steps came in the form of the youth team of local outfit Videoton, now referred to as Fehérvár FC. Further youth stints came at Főnix-GOLD, Újpest and MTK Budapest, with the midfielder’s performances at the latter catching the eye of a well-renowned and much acclaimed academy of RB Salzburg.

The Hungarian international’s move subsequently came at the Salzburg feeder team Liefering. He made his debut for the outfit against Kapfenberg in the 2017/18 campaign. Szoboszlai then registered his first goal in August 2017 against FC BW Linz. Just under a year later, he was rewarded with first professional bow for RB Salzburg in May 2018, against Austria Wien, coming on as a second-half substitute for Enock Mwepu. His first goal for Salzburg came in a Austrian cup 6-0 triumph.

Since then, the talented midfielder has established himself as a first team regular, a vital cog in well oiled, fascinatingly drilled Jesse Marsch team. Szoboszlai also became a regular feature in their Champions League campaign last season, playing some scintilating stuff causing problems for Liverpool in both their group ties and also against Italian giants Napoli. He scored his first Champions League goal against Genk in a thrilling 6-2 spectacle.

What’s Szoboszlai’s style of play? 

The 20-year-old may not have scored in both ties against Liverpool last year, but it was his performance at Anfield that caught the eye of many, providing an assist on the night and also playing a key role in Erling Haaland’s equalizer.

Very few players in the opposition side have stood out at Anfield in the past year or so but Szoboszlai shone his bright light on arguably the grandest stadium in Champions League history. The Hungarian constantly wreaked havoc on Liverpool’s back-line with his constant running, carving them open with his quick fire and delicate passing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSYR44HpAp8

What’s so pivotal to his game is his dribbling, constantly breaking the lines of play to transition into attack and carry his side forward. RB Salzburg are a side well drilled in the art of fast-paced attacking football and Szoboszlai is in fact the quarter-back who keeps things ticking over. Also, when lining up on the left, he constantly roams inside to the central positions constantly threading through balls to his forwards between the right-back and centre-back and also dissecting deep blocks and high defensive lines.

Szoboszlai is a player blessed in performing spectacular actions when breaking down any type of defences. His nimble footwork and trickery means defenders just don’t know what he’ll do next whether its dribble past his marker to form a decisive pass into his forwards. It’s that unpredictability in his game that sets him apart from his teammates. His actions around the final third are so effective, that his teammates too, are surprised by his passes or pieces of skill to breach tight defences.

His first thought isn’t to break into the penalty area, but to linger outside it, in the half-spaces or centrally, his remarkable trickery and footwork means well capable of getting by one or two markers and feeding the forwards or even operate in tight spaces and beat the oppositions press.

image-2-1024x725

He’s very much a creative force, rather than a goalscorer. Szoboszlai averaged around 0.56 assists last season and played close to 2 key passes per game. He’s also a very good dead-ball specialist. If we was to compare to one player in the Premier League, it would arguably be Kevin De Bruyne, because of their ruthless streak when creating in the final third, and also dictating play from deep if needed.

Szoboszlai stands at 6’1 which is remarkably tall for a creative player, but that is a strength for him rather than a weakness. He may not be physically strong like most midfielders, but he sure knows to use his body to protect the ball and shield off his markers. It’s that trait coupled with his trickery and skill on the ball allowing him the ease and comfort in which to dribble past his markers.

The Hungarian has started off the current campaign like he ended the last, and in the past 22 games, he’s contributed 13 goals and 18 assists as well as scoring five times in all competitions this season for both club and country. If the talented midfielder carries on in such rich vein of form, then there’s no reason why he can’t be linked with a January move away like his former teammates Erling Haaland and Takumi Minamino.

Is he ready to make the step-up?

Dominik Szoboszlai shows such remarkable technique in his game, though one area he needs work on is that at times, he tends to try and do too much whether its dribble one too many plays then lose the ball in vital instances.

He can often miss the right moments to release the ball when an opportunity arises, regularly trying to take all the glory rather than share it with his teammates, but that’s understandable considering he’s still in his youth, with some refinement, there’s no reason why he can’t match the heights of Kevin De Bruyne in the near future.

(Photo by David Geieregger/SEPA.Media /Getty Images)

Despite all this, the Hungarian is a remarkably gifted young midfielder, but at times last season, he found himself on the cusp of Jesse Marsch’s team. Now he’s one of the key men as Salzburg plan another assualt domestically and in Europe. Szoboszlai has been shortlisted for the 2020 Golden Boy award, and his spectacular showings and abilities warrants such recognition.

Reported interests from clubs such as Liverpool, Arsenal and AC Milan in the past does indeed show that Szoboszlai is highly coveted and rightly so, he holds the potential to be one of the best player he’s country has ever seen, also holding the capabilities to be one of the brightest midfielders in Europe.

It’ll be intriguing to see who he decides to play at next, preferably a side that will out spend a lot of time on furthering his development and honing on his talents. Dominik Szoboszlai holds an abundance of it.

Jamie Shackleton strengthens his case for a regular Leeds berth

Jamie Shackleton strengthens his case for a regular Leeds berth

LEEDS UNITED produced one of their finest performances under Marcelo Bielsa as they swiftly marched to an impressive 3-0 win against Aston Villa at Villa Park, ending their 100% start to the new Premier League campaign.

Patrick Bamford scored the first Premier League hat-trick by a Leeds player since Mark Viduka scored three times against Charlton Athletic in a 6-1 win in April 2003. The former Middlesborough man also scored his first hat-trick since 2018, against Leeds for Boro in the Championship.

While the former Norwich and Derby County man may have taken all the plaudits for his performance up front, it was another player who ran the show in the middle of the park for Bielsa’s side in the absence of their captain and main man Kalvin Phillips.

21-year-old Jamie Shackleton, was only introduced in the 21st minute for when Bielsa withdrew Pascal Struijk after his early yellow card, and the young midfielder needed no time to settle himself in what proved a frantic and exciting end-to-end match.

Shackleton, on his first real opportunity in the English top-flight, put in a sparkling showing, and showcasing why he’s so highly thought of within the Leeds United camp.

An ever-present in midfield, Shackleton was everywhere, whether driving into the Aston Villa penalty area or defending his own box, he was the embodiment of everything good about Marcelo Bielsa’s side. In his 70 minutes on the pitch, Shackleton, recorded 35 touches, 1 key tackle, 2 interceptions, 1 key passes and an a passing average of 84%. An impressive way to begin your Premier League career.

The second-half saw Leeds United spring some scintilating counter-attacking moves, and Shackleton was at the heart of it all with his high-intensity running, very neat passing and a constant thorn in Aston Villa’s side.

He may hold a slightly short frame standing at 5’6 but that shouldn’t take away from the qualities he possesses. Shackleton is still more than capable to get himself about pressing his opponents as well as tracking his runners and screening in front of the back four.

With Kalvin Phillips likely to be out of action for the next month or so, Jamie Shackleton may now have forced himself into Marcelo Bielsa’s thoughts for the next few weeks, and the wonderkid now certainly looks good enough to do just that.

Shackleton’s bravery, tenacity and cutting thrust in the middle coupled with Mateusz Klich’s brilliance will surely provide Leeds with the platform to continue their excellent start in the coming weeks. Marcelo Bielsa may well have found his next footballing star.

Said Benrahma Can Almost Single-Handedly Elevate West Ham’s Season

Said Benrahma Can Almost Single-Handedly Elevate West Ham’s Season

West Ham United have completed the signing of Said Benrahma on a season-long loan from Brentford.

The 25-year-old winger had been due to sign a permanent deal, but complications prompted West Ham to renegotiate the terms of the transfer.

It is believed West Ham have paid £4m to sign Benrahma on loan and have agreed to make the deal permanent at the end of the season for £21m, plus £5m in add-ons.

After Felipe Anderson joined FC Porto on transfer deadline day, West Ham do require reinforcements in the wide positions despite Pablo Fornals and Jared Bowen equally impressing after their star showings so far this season, especially in their 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers and the 3-0 away win at the King Power, thrashing Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City on gameweek 4.

Arguably the most decorated and exciting player currently playing in the Championship this past year. Brentford’s journey to the Championship play-off final – only to fall at the last hurdle to Fulham – saw Benrahma contribute a staggering 27 goals (17 goals, 10 assists) to Brentford’s 80 goals during the 2019/20 campaign.

It may not be Brentford gracing the Barclays Premier League this season, but Benrahma on the evidence of last season, deserves his own individual promotion. The Algerian is an extraordinary talent, one who’s quality is one any of the current ‘Top Six’ Premier League clubs could only dream of. West Ham will be the club richly blessed with his range of silky and stylish footballing qualities.

The Algerian international has already started this season off this season to a flier for Brentford, scoring 2 goals in 3 games in all competitions. Two goals of serious quality against Fulham in the Carabao Cup, especially his second showcasing his wonderful talents with an outrageous piece of skill nutmegging Michael Hector in an almost pirouette style before calmly slotting the ball in the bottom corner to make it a comfortable night for Brentford.

Said Benrahma is indeed the next Championship-to-Premier League star, following in the footsteps of his former teammate and Aston Villa’s new frontman Ollie Watkins who both tore up the Championship last season forming one of the best partnerships the division has ever seen.

Lining up on the left of Brentford’s 4-3-3 shape, Benrahma was their sole creative force, blessed with such unerring tricks, dribbling qualities, vision, imagination and a confidence that few players in the division can match. The Championship was accustomed to Benrahma’s showstopping highlight reels and his ever-changing boundaries that seemed impossible from the forward, now it seems the Premier League will finally be furnished with yet another unerring winger.

It will be interesting to see how Benrahma fits in at the London Stadium however, will he immediately slot into David Moyes’ 5-4-1 shape, playing either side of Michail Antonio at the expense of Fornals and Bowen or will Moyes find a way to accommodate him, shifting to a shape that will certainly get the best out of him?

Much of the reason why Brentford so often inspired in attack last season, was their propensity to keep possession, opening up passing lanes, key individuals picking up dangerous pockets of space to exploit the opposition. West Ham do not play the same way, often playing on the counter.

Benrahma is the sort of player who needs the ball a lot to work his magic, so the Algerian will of course need to adjust his game so when he finally gets the ball on the counter, he can still showcase his exceptional attacking skills, whilst also helping his team out defensively tracking his full-back and keeping a compact shape.

Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Fornals are in sparkling form right now, and it will be silly to make changes to a system that is working so well so far, which means Benrahma will indeed have to wait for his long-awaited opportunity. Though, the quality option off the bench will come as a priceless luxury for David Moyes giving him both quality in attack on and off the pitch.

When Said Benrahma plays, coming off the left-hand side, something special happens and West Ham have indeed required that sort of quality for a very long time, probably since the departure of Dimitri Payet in 2017, who shared similar qualities to the Algerian winger. The unpredictability and extravagant attacking qualities that could propel any side in the English top-flight.

West Ham now possess a player who can almost single-handedly catapult them to within arguably fighting for the Europa League places, a huge jump from their relegation struggles from last campaign, such a significant leap highlights just how much of an impact Said Benrahma could provide the Hammers.

It may something of an expensive risk by West Ham, but if David Moyes can get the best out of him like Brentford Thomas Frank did last season, then the club can finally give the West Ham faithful something to shout about.

Teenage Sensation joins Manchester United on transfer deadline day after just 30 minutes of first team action

Teenage Sensation joins Manchester United on transfer deadline day after just 30 minutes of first team action

18-year-old Amad Traore, who only featured in his first professional game for Atalanta in October 2019, also scored his first goal in a 7-1 thrashing of Udinese becoming the first player born in the year 2002 to score in the Italian top-flight. A statement from Manchester United read, Traore ‘has been on the radar of United scouts since 2016, when spotted playing at under-15 level, and the club have been tracking his progress ever since.

Sergiño Dest – Scout Report

Sergiño Dest – Scout Report

Barcelona have completed the signing of Ajax right-back Sergino Dest.

The talented young right-back has undergone a tremendous breakthrough year at the Johan Cruyff Arena, quickly emerging as one of the most brightest players in his position.

His breathtaking performances this year for the Dutch giants has certainly not gone unnoticed. Not only has Dest impressed domestically, but at international level too, choosing to represent the US instead of the Netherlands where he was born.

After making his debut for the US in September 2019, he’s gone onto make a further two caps, earmarking himself as a permanent right-back for the United States and also one of the most promising young full-backs in Europe.

Who is Sergiño Dest?

Born in Almere, Netherlands, to a Dutch mother and American father. Dest started out at his hometown youth academy Almere City FC until 2012 when he made the switch to the Ajax youth teams. After successfuly progressing through the ranks at the club, he finally made his debut for Jong Ajax – the reserve side – in October 2018 in a 2-1 loss against PSV’s reserve side.

Over the course of the 2018/19 campaign, the full-back impressed, making 17 appearances in the Dutch Eerste Divisie, scoring once and having a hand in two goals. He also played a significant role in the prestigious UEFA Youth League where he scored once and assisted once.

In fact, 2019 was dominated by the Netherlands and United States looking to tie down the youngster to their pool of talents. Ronald Koeman stated his admiration for Dest, getting his staff to challenge for his services before he made his decision. In what was one of the most followed dual-nationality story line in recent memory, Dest ended all of it, choosing to represent USA, making his debut for the senior debut for the senior team against Mexico in Septmeber, after representing the U17 and U20 youth sides.

Noussair Mazroaoui’s injury at the beginning of the current season paved the way for Dest to shine his bright young light. He quickly became a permanent fixture for Erik Ten Hag’s side at right-back, and the huge promise that Dest exhibited during the Under-20 World Cup came to the fore for the club both domestically and in Europe.

How has Sergiño Dest emerged on the scene?

In an era where full-backs are tasked with greater responsibilities in the attacking phases of play as well as in defence, Sergiño Dest is your prototypical modern full-back.

A player with such electricity in his running, movement and such trickery with the ball at his feet, Dest has shown such remarkable growth when tasked with such responsibilities for Ajax’ first team. He’s taken in such rigours like a duck to water. His grace on the ball and close control makes him such a pleasing player to watch.

Dest’s confident energy and swagger is typical of many American talents currently plying their trades in the top European leagues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJZK41iaD6s

The Dutch-born right backs development at Ajax has refined his abilities to link up with his teammates and hold a greater understanding in keeping the ball within Ajax’ possession based system. He isn’t one of those full-backs who shies away from having the ball, quickly giving to the more creative players after breaking into the opposition half.

Dest is a fearless right-back, one who is always looking to drive his team up the pitch with his pace and elegant ball control, and also possesses the unique abilities, considering his position, to become such a creative spark in the final third.

The wonderkid created 4 goals in the Dutch Eredivisie last season, he also averaged 1.3 dribbles per game, 0.9 key passes and has also 38.8 passes per game with a 87.5% success rate meaning he is very adept at keeping possession when need be. The 19-year-old constantly causes disruption to the opposition back-line through the threatening positions he takes up when on the attack.

His 1.3 shot assists per 90 minutes across the Champions League and Eredivisie have all come from attempted short passes, and his 1.6 completed dribbles per 90 is an impressive feat considering this is only his first year in top-flight football.

While his attacking qualities stand him out, there are some minor issues with his defensive capabilities, however those will improve as he matures and blends in completely with the team.

Because of his attacking prowess, he is required to show more intelligence and awareness of his side’s defensive fragility in order to have a free reign when getting forward. He is calm and collected when in 1v1 situations simply because he knows how a winger thinks because of his own attacking tendencies.

What does the future hold for Sergiño Dest?

A true up and coming full-back ready to take the whole world by storm. Sergiño Dest is a player who certainly plays with the universe at his feet. While many may argue that a move to Barcelona may just be too soon for the right-back due to his age, and a lack of elite-level experience seeing as last campaign was his first playing first team football, Barcelona have certainly captured a player for the future.

Ronald Koeman is familiar with Dest’s talents after the former Netherlands manager attempted to recruit the right-back for the Dutch National team, but he instead chose to represent the country of his father. Now, Koeman has the opportunity to fully harness Dest’s capabilities at Barcelona.

The club is looking to shift into a new age, and Dest represents such a transformation with his youthful, fresh and exciting footballing talents. Moving to the Camp Nou comes with its pressures, though and it will be interesting to see how Koeman looks to protect Dest and provide him with the conditions and environment to develop and fully utilise his true potential.

There is no doubt that Dest can become one of the most impressive young full-backs in world football. The list of world stars who have started at Ajax is indeed a very long, Sergiño Dest is well on his way to painting his name amongst that prestigious list.

Boubakary Soumare – Scout Report

Boubakary Soumare – Scout Report

Controversially dubbed ‘Paul Pogba without the baggage’ by Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol back in January, LOSC Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare is reportedly attracting a lot of interest from around Europe with the likes AC Milan, Napoli and Inter Milan all looking to secure his signature this summer.

Ligue 1’s premature ending due to the coronavirus pandemic is believed to have placed some financial constraints on Lille, and they may be forced this summer to sell their best stars to raise cash. Soumare was subject to much interest in the January window, and would have joined Newcastle had he not chosen to remain at the Stade Pierre Mauroy for the rest of the campaign.

It was indeed a campaign to forget, with the midfielder losing his place in the team, only featuring in a handful of games before the seasons cancellation.

Lille OSC v Amiens SC - League Cup

Soumare will most likely become subject of much bids and interest during the rest of the window, with Lille determined to offload him.

This scout report will provide a brief report of his emergence on the scene, his progress at Lille and what he could offer potential employers.

 

Who is Boubakary Soumare? 

Born in the northern suburbs of Paris, Soumare joined the Paris Saint-Germain academy at the age of 12-years-old, showing such incredible in a box-to-box role in midfield.

However, due to a lack of opportunities at the French giants, he decided to further his development elsewhere, at LOSC Lille, joining them in 2017. It is a decision that Soumare can look back with much pride. This campaign has been his steady breakthrough, putting in some scintilating performances from midfield both in Ligue 1 and Champions League. In fact, Soumare has emerged as a key component in Lille’s rise to prominence over the past couple years.

After his failed move in January, he’s only played just once since then, though his quality has been there for all to see even before the January window. His drop in form and game time certainly won’t stop clubs circulating for his signature in the near future. It’s no fluke that the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are all wanting to secure his services.

 

So why is Soumare attracting so much interest? What’s his style? 

If you need any examples or exhibitions on what constitutes a ‘box-to-box midfielder’ then Boubakary Soumare is indeed the man to give you the knowledge needed. Soumare is a dominant, powerful, pacey and tricky midfielder to deal with because of his non-stop running, energy and hard work.

With a surprising yard of pace, Soumare’s 6’2 frame means he’s able to escape aggressive pressure with ease and also allows him the ability to dribble up the pitch to relieve his team of attacking pressure or to inspirationally drive up the pitch in search of a goal. It’s no surprise he’s been compared to Paul Pogba and Yaya Toure, due to his lean frame, and abilities on the ball. In the Champions League last season, he successfully completed 2.41 dribbles per 90 minutes, whereas in Ligue 1, he completed 1.41 dribbles.

When Soumare’s in space to instigate play after breaking free from pressure, he’s very able to utilise his incredible awareness to distribute the ball accurately to his team-mates who are in dangerous positions in the attacking third. It’s why he became so integral to most of Lille’s attacking play. He’s made 1.56 passes that leads to shots per90 in Ligue 1, 1.90 in the Champions League.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ng2F-Yv2_Q

In terms of positioning, Soumare almost exclusively lined up as a defensive midfielder for most of last season. One who is well-versed in breaking up play, screening in front of the back four and also consumately distributing to players in more dangerous positions. Boubakary Soumare offers all those characteristics. He averaged 0.6 key passes per game in Ligue 1 largely down to his deep-positioning but in all fairness to him, he’s required to be more disciplined and risk-free in his passing, attempting 57.4 per game and his success rate in this area is very impressive, which reads at 89.8%.

He also averaged 1.9 long balls per game which means he’s not shy of attempting to find his teammates with a raking pass. Soumare also attempted 14.5 final third passes, so even though, he’s required to be disciplined with his distribution, he’s still attempting to become effective when building attacks.

In terms of breaking up play, as he’s required to do, he won 1.26 tackles per 90 in Ligue 1 and 1.72 in Europe. His tall-frame as stated previous, means he’s able to dominant his opponents, and also pressure them in order to win the ball back quickly. Per90 in Ligue 1, he successfully applied pressure 17.3 times which he successfully retrieves the ball 5.33 times per90. It’s stats such as these that allows him to fulfil a number of roles in the Lille midfield. Whether its a box-to-box role, deep-lying playmaker, a roaming playmaker or a ball-winning midfielder. He’s incredibly adept – in the right conditions of course – to become so efficient both in the attack and defence.

Boubakary Soumare is a ball-recovery machine, hoovering up attacks, starting attacks with his swift and direct passing or duelling an opponent for the ball. He won possession 4.9 times in the middle third, per90 in Ligue 1. Though, his stand-out performance this season, came against Chelsea in the Champions League game in December. He was an absolute nuisance, a dominant presence, recovering the ball an astonishing 16 times.

 

Could he make a name for himself in the English top-flight? 

Without a shadow of a doubt. Boubakary Soumare certainly holds all the characteristics and tools to thrive in the Premier League. In an era, where box-to-box midfielders are pivotal to most elite teams in Europe, Soumare’s tall and lean build allows him to thrive in such conditions.

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Midfielders are required to be not only dominant in possession but also combative when breaking up play and winning the ball-back quickly, Soumare exhibits all those traits. However, he’s the sort of player who needs the players around him to complement his abilities, he can’t do everything himself, Soumare isn’t that type of player. He’s incredibly effective in a well-oiled machine, as he’s constantly shown in the past year or so in a Lille team that is improving with every passing year.

The midfielder needs to get back to his best football, and its clear Lille do not want to keep him any longer.

Soumare is a player who would provide incredible solidity and a lot of mettle to a midfield, that’s why such elite clubs in Europe are after him. He’s not just a top box-to-box player, but holds all the makings to join an elite group of defensive midfielders in Europe too.