When a club breaks their record transfer fee for a player, there’s considerable hope he will be worth every penny, especially a club plying their trade in the Sky Bet Championship and not considered the most financially stable.
That’s the hope Plymouth Argyle held when they broke the bank to sign extremely gifted attacking talent Morgan Whittaker from Swansea City for a fee of £1million in July 2023.
Becoming a club such as Argyle’s most expensive transfer can be deemed as mounting pressure but not for the 23-year-old wing-wizard.
Since then, the Derby-born forward hasn’t looked back and has rapidly evolved into one of the Championship’s most productive and clinical attackers, scoring 19 goals and providing eight assists at the time of writing.
However, it would be wrong to consider the 2023/24 campaign as Whittaker’s breakthrough. While his astonishing and career-best goal contributions can suggest as much, the 23-year-old has actually been considered a hot prospect in the English Football League for a while.
Whittaker has found the perfect home at Argyle after first joining the club on loan from Swansea City in July 2022 in their League One-winning season and made the switch permanent in the summer after being recalled for the second half of last season.
A product of Derby County’s academy where he made 32 first-team appearances playing alongside and under Wayne Rooney, Whittaker’s journey to where he is now has been steady and meticulous.
His talents haven’t gone unnoticed around Europe after a potential move to Serie A giants Lazio nearly came to fruition in the January transfer window.
However, Argyle rejected a last-ditch approach for his services (The Athletic, 30 January), looking to keep him around until the end of the current campaign at least and it’s a decision which has proven crucial.
Plymouth are one game away from a possible route back down to League One should they fail to win on the last day of the Championship campaign on Saturday (4th May) and other results around them don’t go their way, which surely means Whittaker will be performing at a higher level next season.
Whichever next step he takes after such a tremendous development this year, you can be very sure the 23-year-old talent is on his way to fully maximising his potential.
So how has Whittaker gotten to this stage in his career? What kind of player is he and what could be the next step in what looks like a carefully drawn-out career path?
Who is Morgan Whittaker?
Born in Derby, England. Whittaker is a product of the Derby County academy and made his professional debut for the Rams in August 2019 as an 87th-minute substitute in their EFL Cup fixture against Scunthorpe United.
Manager at the time Philip Cocu would then reward Whittaker with his first start for his boyhood club, in a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the same competition before signing a new contract at the club running until June 2023.
Whittaker finished the 2019/20 campaign with three starts and 18 substitute appearances, scoring his first career goal, the second in a 3–1 win away to Birmingham City at St Andrew’s on the final day of the Sky Bet Championship season.
Whittaker then started the 2020–21 season by scoring the winning penalty in a 3–2 shootout victory over Barrow in the EFL Cup and continued making frequent substitute appearances throughout the course of the season under the stewardship of Wayne Rooney.
However, the forward made the decision to seek out more first-team opportunities elsewhere. As a result, Swansea City came knocking, joining the Welsh club on a four-and-a-half-year deal on the winter transfer deadline day in 2021.
Over a week later, Whittaker grabbed his first goal for his new club on his debut in a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup.
His first league goal came in May in the penultimate game of the season to equalise in a 2–1 victory over his former and boyhood Derby County keeping steeped in a relegation battle.
The 2021/22 campaign – his first for the Swans – started off in superb fashion when he bagged a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over his future employers Plymouth in the second round of the EFL Cup – the first hat-trick scored by a Swansea City player since Scott Sinclair in the 2011 Sky Bet Championship play-off final.
What looked like a breakthrough year for Whittaker at his new club after the hat-trick, he only went on to feature sparingly for the Welsh outfit, making six substitute appearances in the Championship before making the decision to leave the club on loan in the January 2022 window making a new home at Lincoln City until the end of the campaign.
Whittaker carried on his theme of scoring on his debut, starting and scoring as Lincoln City ran out 2-0 winners.
The forward went on to enjoy a successful loan spell with the club, scoring five goals and registering an assist in 20 appearances but it wasn’t until his first spell at Plymouth, signing on loan in the summer of 2022, that he went on to enhance his development and maturity.
The loan spell at Home Park got off to a brilliant start. Having scored three goals and claiming an assist across September 2022, Whittaker was duly rewarded with the EFL League One Player of the Month award with Argyle sitting on top of the league.
The 2022/23 loan spell indeed proved his breakthrough, scoring nine goals and registering seven assists from 25 League One games before Swansea City exercised their recall clause once the January 2023 transfer window kicked off.
Whittaker may not have finished that campaign with Plymouth but he certainly aided their successful quest in winning promotion to the Championship for the 23/24 campaign. His return to his parent club for the remainder of the campaign did not prove a fruitful one for him, scoring once from just two starts.
It was abundantly clear things weren’t working out between the two parties so when Plymouth returned to the negotiating table with a transfer record-breaking £1million offer in July 2023, it was one too tempting for Swansea to ignore.
Since the record transfer, the rest has been history with Whittaker going on to prove his undeniable quality, so far registering 27 goal involvements (19 goals, 8 assists) from 44 games for Plymouth.
As a reward for his stunning exploits this season, the Englishman was included in the 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship Team of the Season.
Plymouth's Morgan Whittaker makes the Championship team of the season #PAFC.
Plymouth Director of Football Neil Dewsnip paid tribute to the winger following his recognition: “Well done Morgan Whittaker. He has excited us here throughout the season. He has scored some amazing goals and to get selected in that team with the quality that exists in this league is a major achievement.”
Indeed, his most memorable moments of this campaign include a home hat-trick against Norwich City and a stoppage-time winner against Rotherham United. With the summer transfer window fast approaching, it won’t be a surprise to see a club like Lazio return to the table, or better yet, a mid-level Premier League side.
His qualities deserve such a prestigious platform.
So how good is Morgan Whittaker? Why is he highly rated?
Whittaker knows no limits at Plymouth
First and foremost, it’s important to point out the conditions and environment in which Whittaker is performing to fully understand his influence and quality.
Plymouth deploy a transitional-based and pragmatic approach which means attackers like Whittaker aren’t always on the ball for large stretches of the game.
The Pilgrims average just over 45% possession per game (SofaScore) and rank sixth from bottom in the division for build-up attacks (The Analyst) whilst also averaging just 2.93 passes per sequence highlighting that they aren’t the most dominant or sustainable in possession.
Looking at the graph below provided by The Analyst, Plymouth are a more fast and direct outfit rather than slow and intricate.
They rely on the likes of Whittaker to carry them up the pitch through quick and efficient transitions before providing creativity and ingenuity when getting into the final third.
So, 19 goals and eight assists so far this campaign tells you all you need to know about Whittaker’s threat, influence and quality. His 27 goal contributions in the Championship are just under half of Plymouth’s 58 goals so far in the division which is incredible reading.
He’s very rarely on the ball for Plymouth given they don’t dominate possession but when he does have it, especially in the final third, he’s more than capable of conjuring up magic on his own.
Standing over six feet tall, the 23-year-old is a powerful runner who, although not lightning quick over the first few yards, is comfortable progressing the ball over distance. He possesses a strong frame that doesn’t discount a quick pair of feet.
The Derby-born winger feels most natural when starting from the right flank providing him with the opportunity to cut inside and unleash unstoppable left-footed strikes into the top corner or the appropriate passing angles to create chances and link up with the main number nine.
Steven Schumacher, who managed Whittaker at Plymouth, said the player has a left foot “to die for” and rightly so. 14 of his 19 goals this season have come via his left foot. Once he cuts in with space and time to shoot, very rarely does he miss the target.
The pick of the bunch from his goals is from October’s 3-2 defeat to Ipswich Town, where Whittaker cut in from the right to curl a shot into the top left-hand corner of the goal.
Plymouth Argyle were beaten 3-2 by Ipswich Town yesterday afternoon, but Morgan Whittaker’s opener was absolutely sensational! 🤩
— The Championship Chat Podcast (@Champchatpod24) October 29, 2023
It is a similar passage of play to the second of the three goals he scored in a 6-2 win over Norwich City in September and his goal against Sunderland in November, the latter of which swerved away from the goalkeeper into the top corner.
This season, the Pilgrims have largely lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Whittaker taking up the attacking role on the right side of the main forward, giving him ample tactical freedom to express himself.
His heatmap from this season doesn’t merely reflect a player who hugs the touchline and looks to cross from deep. Whittaker prefers to move inside and occupy the right half-space, get into the penalty box and allow an overlapping full-back to provide width.
Not only is the Rams academy graduate effective when cutting inside on his left foot but he’s also capable of driving on the outside to create meaningful chances or goalscoring scenarios.
An example of this came when Whittaker provided the assist for Finn Azaz in the 3-2 win over Rotherham United in December, where he also scored a stoppage-time winner.
In this instance, Whittaker realises he can’t cut in onto his left because Rotherham’s defensive shape in this particular phase blocks any sort of room for him to do what he does best.
The defenders’ message to Whittaker is to try and beat them on the outside and that he does, delivering a delicious early low cross accurate enough to completely take the whole backline by surprise, which Azaz takes full advantage of.
Whittaker has been a standout performer in the league when it comes to carrying the ball into dangerous areas, ranking joint-fifth in the Championship with Ipswich Town’s Omari Hutchinson for carries into the penalty area (73) but also ranks amongst the best for creating chances, ranking tenth for goal-creating actions (17) and shot-creating actions (155) [FBRef].
The 23-year-old averages 1.4 key passes per game, and has created ten big chances this season whilst also beating his expected assists (xA) tally of 6.09 with his eight assists.
The former Swansea man has matured his game tremendously this season, despite playing in a rather limited team. His 1v1 threat in his dribbling has become an art form where he uses his lean frame and size to stand up to his marker before performing dazzling pieces of skill and body deception to bypass them.
Take his duels with Bristol City’s Cameron Pring back in September for example.
In this instance, Whittaker takes the ball on the outside and close to the touchline inside his own half.
What looks like an extremely difficult task, the Englishman possesses the nous and attacking class to beat his man and enter the final third before producing a decisive through ball into the penalty area.
This certainly isn’t an isolated instance in which Whittaker can thread dangerous balls through the eye of the needle.
Against Leicester City below, he picks up the ball centrally, drives forward and delivers a tremendous slide-rule pass for Mustapha Bundu who draws a save from Foxes goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
He’s got the positional nous to roam into the number 10 position and dissect opposition defences – the freedom at which he’s allowed to operate in Plymouth’s system certainly hands him that confidence and encouragement to take the attacking responsibilities upon his shoulders, and his numbers this season point to a player delivering despite the growing expectations.
Creative winger turned penalty-box predator…
Whittaker is a strong ball striker and six goals from outside the area confirm this. He’s also recorded the most shots on target (63) and the most shots (163) of any player in the Championship.
His shot selection has improved massively evidenced by the examples above, but what’s set him apart from other top wingers in the division is his goals in the penalty area.
13 of Whittaker’s 19 goals have come inside the 18-yard box and it’s lent to his tremendous movement and potent instincts, he’s always arriving at the right time to latch on to passes and crosses.
His superb strike from a well-worked set-piece against his old employers Swansea City in February is a fine example. The Englishman pulls away from his marker in the 12-yard box before darting back towards the penalty spot.
He’s then picked out by Adam Forshaw with a brilliant cross-come-pass before finishing expertly in the bottom corner, handing the Pilgrims their first away win of the season.
Morgan Whittaker only started 5 league games in 2 and a half years at Swansea.
They sold him to Plymouth for £1 million in the summer and he’s scored 16 goals this season…
Despite his height, the attacker is not one for headers yet and clearly, is relatively one-footed when finishing according to his stats.
However, there’s also the encouraging sign of some back-post goals, one of the key goalscoring traits which will make him an attractive proposition to several suitors in the Premier League or in Europe.
His goal against Huddersfield Town in January, in the image above, highlights a player well-versed in performing the basics of a winger on the opposite flank to an incoming cross, languishing at the back post and waiting to pounce for a goalscoring opportunity.
The Englishman’s positioning and anticipation in the penalty box are excellent.
His manager present and future will have no qualms asking him to fulfil responsibilities at #9 because his size, instincts, technique and movement in and around the penalty area make him as dangerous and clinical as a traditional centre-forward.
Defensive assistance
As stated previously, the Pilgrims are a transitional-based outfit, meaning most of their games are spent without the ball, keeping a mid-to-deep defensive block, and holding their opponents at bay before forcing mistakes and springing quick and incisive counter-attacks.
While Whittaker holds huge responsibility as Plymouth’s primary attacking outlet and creator, he’s still expected to help out defensively and his numbers in that sense, make for decent reading.
The former England Under-20 international averages 0.4 interceptions per game, 1.0 tackles, and 3.5 balls recovered but there are some instances where he allows the game to pass him by which is shown through being dribbled past 1.2 times per game.
He also ranks in the low 27th percentile for tackles won per 90, and 34th percentile for tackles in the defensive third when Plymouth are in deep blocks and ranks in the 24th percentile for tackles in the attacking third per 90 meaning he doesn’t press with regularity even when the team are tasked with being aggressive in a mid-defensive block.
Because he’s the team’s creator-in-chief, with so much responsibility and expectation on his shoulders to create something out of nothing in the final third, there is a tendency for Whittaker to become lackadaisical and uninterested when Plymouth are under pressure from sustained attacks.
If Whittaker wants to perform consistently at the top level, he’d need 100% concentration out of possession and hard work against the ball, as most of the top-level teams in the country or in Europe are now favouring a high-pressing style.
Morgan Whittaker’s Future Forecast
Plymouth Argyle are a game away from a potential relegation from the Championship but their destiny is well and truly in their own hands, beat play-off hopefuls Hull City at Home Park on Saturday and they will be safe.
Much of that ambition will be left on the shoulders of Whittaker who has enjoyed a sensational individual campaign but one thing is for certain, he won’t be donning the Plymouth colours next season.
A move to Serie A outfit Lazio may well have failed at the last hurdle for Whittaker in January but it was a forecast for the future, with a big move potentially on the horizon.
Given his stunning campaign this season, there will surely be Premier League interest. The success of former Blackburn prodigy Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace so far since his January moves means top-flight clubs cannot afford to miss out on such talents and Whittaker is sure to be a name at the top of several lists.
West London outfits Brentford and Fulham have both been credited with an interest in the player in the past and certainly represent stunning progression on Whittaker’s roadmap to national stardom. Both teams are in need of fresh injection in attack for next season making the Derby-born product an attractive proposition.
At 23 years of age, five seasons playing in the English Football League and a brilliant 19-goal season in the Championship this year, Whittaker is certainly more than ready to make the timely step up in his career.
It will be interesting to see which club will be the next of his carefully planned career journey.
The illustrious successes of the Leeds United academy at Thorp Arch means that every year one talent that graduates carries with them the expectations and hopes of becoming the club’s latest hot property.
The Whites have indeed had a few talents to get excited about over the past few years, youngsters such as Joe Gelhardt, Charlie Cresswell, Leo Hjelde and Lewis Bate who have now somewhat gone into unfortunate obscurity.
While most Leeds fans will be left wondering what might have been for those two, their attention has been swept considerably by the emergence of one Archie Gray.
Throw in a surname like Gray in and around the West Yorkshire camp and the expectation to become a superstar on the shores of Elland Road instantly increases.
Son of former striker Andy Gray, grandson of ex-defender Frank Gray and great-nephew of club icon Eddie Gray, the 18-year-old is the latest edition of the renowned dynasty synonymous with the historic West Yorkshire club.
Certainly, Archie has a long way to go before he’s matching the heights of his decorated bloodline. Indeed, he’s only 18 and not even a year of first-team football at Elland Road has passed. However, the way he’s performing consistently for Leeds United right now, Gray is on his way to writing his own story and fulfilling his own glowing destiny.
After 40-odd games for the first team, the young Englishman has catapulted himself to become one of the country’s most exciting and highly-regarded teenage talents, leading to plenty of interest from the likes of Liverpool, Newcastle United, Everton and Crystal Palace in the recent past.
The Whites moved swiftly to quell all the noise regarding his future when they tied him down to a new long-term contract in January, putting pen to paper on a deal running until 2028 (LUFC official website, 16 January).
It’s no surprise that he’s been named in Goal.com’s annual NXGN list for 2024 which was released last week and he only went and followed that up with his first cap and goal for the England Under-21s against Azerbaijan on Friday (22 March) – making him the fourth youngest goal scorer in Three Lions under-21 history.
So how has Gray got to this lofty position so early in his relatively short career? Let’s delve in.
Who is Archie Gray?
Born in Durham, North-East England, Gray joined Leeds United at under-9 level.
He is the fourth Gray across three generations to represent the club, with his father, Andy Gray, having come up through the Leeds Academy and enjoyed two stints as a player at Elland Road.
Archie is the grandson of Frank Gray, who played for the club in the 1970s and 1980s, and he is the great-nephew of Eddie Gray, one of the finest players in the club’s history, who also went on to manage the team. Archie’s brother, Harry Gray, is also currently associated with Leeds’ youth academy.
He advanced quickly through the academy, and at the insistence of then-manager Marcelo Bielsa, an arrangement had to be reached between Leeds United and Gray’s school, the St. John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate, for Grey to miss classes so he could to practice with the senior squad.
For a 15-year-old experiencing an unexpected advancement in his development, Gray’s weekends balanced GCSE revision with a place on a Premier League substitute bench; mock exams during the day, and 35-yard strikes against Manchester United U23s by night.
The midfielder boasts an impressive record in youth competitions for Leeds, featuring in 37 matches, finding the net in 5 instances, and providing 7 assists along the way.
Grey was added to the squad for a Premier League match against Arsenal on December 18, 2021, at 15. If he had featured that day, he would have surpassed Peter Lorimer’s 1962 milestone as Leeds United’s youngest-ever player.
In the 2021–22 campaign, he was on the bench five more times but failed to play. The following campaign, then manager Jesse Marsch gave him his first-team bow in pre-season, featuring in a 4-0 win over Blackpool in July 2022, just a few weeks before he received his GCSE results.
It was a display of intent from the teenager and the following 70 minutes reinforced the belief within the squad at Thorp Arch: he is no passenger in senior football.
Former Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch
Marsch thought as much, giving the teenager high praise afterwards:
“I consider Archie a first-team player at 16.”
“He has cleverness, the flexibility to play in multiple positions, he can run, he sees things quickly, he’s aggressive against the ball and he’s fearless. I think he’s got the full package.”
His senior debut came at the onset of the 2023/24 season, and since then, he has become a consistent name in Daniel Farke’s starting lineup, featuring in an unfamiliar role at right-back – a position he has now brilliantly made his own and an experience which will certainly aid his development and learning once he does take on a midfield role full-time at Elland Road.
Gray has represented England at every youth level and now under-21 level as of Friday 22 March 2024 but is still eligible to represent Scotland who have previously been interested in touting his services.
The Thorp Arch academy graduate featured in every game for the Young Lions at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship over the summer, as England bowed out at the quarter-finals stage. He would then go on to grab his first international goal in a 4-2 World Cup play-off win against Switzerland.
Having already stepped up to the England U19 squad, Gray made his U20 debut on 16 November 2023 during a 3–0 defeat to Italy at the Eco-Power Stadium before being fast-tracked to the under-21s and it only took him five minutes to grab his first goal in a 5-1 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification win over Azerbaijan in Baku.
🏴🔥 5 minutes into his @England U21s debut! Archie Gray scored the final goal in the Young Lions’ 5-1 win over Azerbaijan pic.twitter.com/dhqFFkGqWR
The striker made him the youngest Leeds United player to score for the England U21’s (18 years, 10 days), breaking the record of Alan Smith in October 1999 against Denmark (18 years, 345 days).
What is Gray’s style of play?
This is a footballing talent with a plethora of strings to his decorated bow and it is why he should go on to become one of the most prestigious and complete midfielders of his generation.
The likes of Liverpool haven’t been hot on his trails for no reason – this is a kid destined for great things just like his historic bloodline.
When Gray looks back on his career in future, he’ll look back on the 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship campaign as the season that provided him with the springboard he needed to flourish into becoming the complete and all-round central midfielder he was destined to be when he made the grade at Thorp Arch.
One manager he’ll greatly appreciate for his early development in Daniel Farke and the sole reason for that was the decision to deploy him regularly as a right-back rather than his customary midfield role.
In fact, the young Englishman was handed his first team debut at the start of the season playing alongside Ethan Ampadu at the heart of the Leeds United midfield against Cardiff City and Gray performed like a seasoned professional.
The teenager was assured and assertive with his passing whilst also thriving without the ball in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Elland Road.
Since then, Farke’s utilisation of Gray has not only been intriguing but incredibly meticulous, not only benefitting Leeds United’s tactical flexibility but with Gray’s development and learning very much in mind.
German tactician and Leeds United bossDaniel Farke has significantly aided Archie Gray’s development this season.
First and foremost, it was never Farke’s intention to deploy Gray as a full-back.
The Whites had three senior and capable options in the role once the campaign kicked off with veteran Luke Ayling, Djed Spence, signed on loan from Tottenham and another addition Sam Byram – who could also fill in a left-back – all quality options for Farke to choose from.
It looked as if Gray would be a regular in his usual midfield role, especially from the first ten games of the campaign:
However, due to recurring injuries and the departures of Spence and Ayling in the January transfer window, Farke thought it’d be best to deploy Gray as part of his back-line and the 18-year-old has rarely looked out of place ever since.
Before picking out Gray’s influence and progression in the position, it’s important to pick out his most impressive and unique attributes which have made him one of the most hugely coveted teenagers in the country.
Such characteristics have elevated him to become an instant success story in what’s been a brilliant campaign under Farke’s guidance, with the Whites currently maintaining a strong push for automatic promotion back to the Premier League.
When watching Gray, you’d find that he is very well suited to the defensive midfield or #6 role – but also possesses the attributes to strut his stuff higher up the pitch.
The tools and attributes of a deep-lying playmaker revolve around controlling the game or “pulling the strings” if you’d like. This involves dictating the tempo and maintaining possession so that the team is always managing the game in their favour.
These attributes include; a high footballing IQ, confidence with the ball, a range of passes, technical dribbling and vision – all of which Gray possesses in his weaponry.
However, nowadays the role transcends beyond the understanding of just dictating the tempo of a team’s style of play, they are also expected to receive the ball well under pressure from goalkeepers or centre-backs, play with their back to where their team is shooting as well as screening their back four and protecting it.
Gray can certainly hold his own when receiving under pressure or operating amidst relenting pressure from his opponents.
In the image below, Gray receives a pass in his own penalty area from goalkeeper Ilan Meslier, with two opposition players aiming to win the ball with a high press:
It’s important to note that Meslier doesn’t hand possession to Gray amidst the opposition press just to get rid of it. No, the French goalkeeper plays it to Gray in a pressurised area, confident in the teenager’s ability to evade it and drive Leeds up the pitch, and that he does.
The teen sensation displays superb deceptive movement with his body to fool the player behind him, feinting one way with his right foot over the ball before forcing the ball with the outside to advance the opposite way:
With this nimble and deceptive manipulation of his body and the ball, Gray evades the pressure and is able to progress the ball into midfield with excellent ball-carrying and close control:
Despite having a lanky frame, Gray possesses quick feet which enables him to wriggle out of tight spaces, creating room, to increase his passing options and progress play, manoeuvring his way out of pressure and advancing possession.
He performed similar actions against Premier League outfit Chelsea in their FA Cup fifth-round tie at Stamford Bridge in a 3-2 defeat on 28 February (see tweet below).
Gray superbly evaded Mykhailo Mudryk’s and Nicolas Jackson’s pressure to progress the ball up the pitch for his team, ultimately leading to the Whites’ equaliser from fellow academy graduate Mateo Joseph.
To become an elite operator in the role, all of the above characteristics must be performed to a consistent and measured level. While Gray still has some way to go before matching those elite levels, his qualities are those of a player who embodies such unique attributes.
A technically gifted central midfielder who is efficient and assured on the ball but also possesses a hunger and drive to win the ball back for his team, Gray is a special player with a very high ceiling, boasting an immense passing ability.
He’s a great ball carrier who is aggressive in physical duels and holds his own in terms of keeping his side compact out of possession, and whilst he is capable of being moulded into a #6, #8, or #10, he could even perhaps be best suited to a left-sided #8, an interior midfielder.
As stated previously, Gray possesses stunning vision to see passes before everyone else. With all the passes or through balls you’d expect from an advanced midfielder, the 18-year-old can also perform with superb efficiency.
Take his assist for Crysencio Summerville against Blackburn Rovers in Leeds United’s 2-0 win in December, in the image below:
Before the assist, Gray possessed the mind and intricate attributes to get out of a tight spot by playing a lovely one-touch pass and move with Georginio Rutter, buying him the room and the opening of a passing lane, disrupting Blackburn’s defensive line to thread a perfectly weighted pass for Summerville to finish.
While the above pass may seem easy to the untrained eye, it really isn’t. Many players of Gray’s age and profile may take an extra touch which could allow defenders to block the space, or they could perform an overweighted or under-weighted pass which Summerville can’t run onto.
For Gray, he knows the exact time to play the pass and the weight needed for Summerville to take just two touches to score.
The 18-year-old’s mental fortitude, maturity and unbelievable technique are of elite potential. The way he carries himself on the pitch even in unfavourable situations for Leeds is quite staggering. Such characteristics and mentality coupled with his level of understanding as a deep-lying midfielder have allowed him to perform expertly as a right-back.
Credit must go to Farke for identifying the role for Gray to refine and mature his game even further and it’s worked to such tremendous aplomb.
While performing in defence, Gray has been able to work on his positioning, defensive concentration, and marking but also the ability to problem-solve in possession, identifying different angles for a pass – attributes which will make him an even better midfielder once he’s deployed there permanently.
The role of a modern-day full-back has evolved massively.
Not only are they tasked with the responsibilities to defend well and guard against opposing wingers, they are now crucial and instrumental in many teams’ attacking play; providing width, final third penetration and are used as decoys in order for wingers and wide forwards to perform their best work in attacking scenarios.
Not only that, but elite coaches are now deploying their full-backs as auxiliary midfielders, taking up roles alongside a defensive midfielder when building up from the back in possession, overloading the opposition in the middle third and also providing an option in the half-spaces in the final third.
Because of Gray’s incredible technicality and understanding tactically, he can perform both responsibilities right down to a tee.
As pointed out earlier, Gray is press-resistant which means he can come inside from his right-back and consummately aid his side in progressing the ball into the final third but he’s also a tremendous outlet when Farke needs attacking width.
One of the biggest factors into why Archie’s so versatile/tactically flexible is his ability to play across all angles — while being receptive to his surroundings – it all leads to him becoming so ‘precise’ and meticulous with his actions.
The England under-21 international turns & spins so fluidly, but as addressed earlier in this piece, he’s able to manipulate and bend tight situations to his advantage through nimble footwork, close control and his rangy build.
As seen in the image above, he comes up against two Cardiff City defenders, with the aim of forcing play into the final third for Leeds United.
It seems an impossible situation and a tight spot for plenty of right-backs to escape.
NOT FOR GRAY.
Gray’s dribbling and ball-carrying are of a quality standard and it is what will make him an elite midfield component in future – the Englishman holds a dribble success rate of 54% and also ranks in the top 19 per cent of midfielders for progressive carries outside of Europe’s top five leagues, whilst also ranking in the top 24 per cent for successful take-ons.
In a progressive and possession-orientated system, Gray will be handed the conditions to thrive consistently and his development and learning have been hugely boosted by Farke’s flexible, fluid and expansive style at Elland Road.
A standout trait of Archie’s is his passing.
The Durham-born wonder possesses a top variety of passing — whether that be slick 5-yard passes round the corner, a 20 yard passes to dissect the lines and locate players in the half-spaces or even ping a 40-yard cross-field ball, he can do it…
The 18-year-old talent is ambipedal – incredibly adept at distributing the ball with both feet. As seen in the image above, for the England under-20’s, he picks out an attacking teammate in space with a delicious left-footed cross-field pass, despite his penchant for using his right.
Another part of his game that makes him so complete already despite his tender age, is his tackling. He times his tackles very well, loves to be aggressive in winning the ball back and excels in slide tackles.
Defensive midfielders with rangy, long-legged attributes, supreme athleticism and physical attributes but also with the ability to be adept and assured in possession have become a dying art in recent years but will soon be coming back into fashion once more.
Gray is yet to reach that profile and still has plenty of time to grow into one but already, the way he performs, it won’t be long before he’s in that company of unique physical midfield profiles.
Championship football certainly is aiding that progression. His rangy frame and long legs boost his ball-winning attributes, and he’s become one of the best defensive full-backs in the division. Gray ranks third in the Championship for dribblers tackled (56) and ninth for tackles won (55) (FBRef).
The English talent, however, has been susceptible to the odd lapses in his defending this season.
Take the game against Preston North End on Boxing Day. The Whites suffered a dramatic late 2-1 defeat at Deepdale, with Liam Millar grabbing the winner after being allowed to cut inside Gray before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the top corner.
As a full-back, you’re always taught when facing up against an inverted winger (wingers who work best when the player’s strongest foot is opposite to the side of the pitch he’s playing on), to ensure that they do not cut inside to perform a shot or a cross, but force them onto their weaker foot.
In this case, Gray’s positioning and standing frame up against Millar were all wrong.
Millar reads it and is allowed the freedom to cut inside onto his stronger right foot, which he does brilliantly but Gray allows him the room to do that when he should be using his body positioning to show him outside instead.
Because of his positioning, Millar takes advantage of the room and space to move onto his right foot and carry inside the penalty area, leaving the teenager in his wake…
It’s those small details and lapses that allowed the Preston winger to grab the winner. That was early into Gray’s reign as a right back but he has gone on to make significant improvement ever since. However, it is something he will face relentlessly as a midfield player in future – a probable weakness that could well crop up again.
Given Gray’s mental fortitude on and off the pitch, and his willingness to learn and improve, he will iron that out with minimal fuss – such is the talent England have once again at their disposal.
The 18-year-old is not only garnering a reputation for his technical ability and work off the ball but also his superb engine room. We’ve touched on his impressive athleticism for a player so young, but Gray is a player who can run for hours, and that is evident in his admirable versatility and assuredness in fulfilling multiple roles for Farke and Leeds United.
The stats certainly back it up in the image above (SofaScore). Gray averages a whopping 83 minutes per game and has featured in 38 of Leeds’ 40 games in the Championship so far.
Gray is one of the first names on the team sheet for Leeds United, even when he’s tasked with fulfilling duties in midfield from time to time – a true measure of his tremendous impact but unbelievable growth and maturity at just 18.
What does the future hold for Archie Gray?
There’s no doubt Archie will go on to fulfil his enormous potential but that may not be at Elland Road like his aforementioned bloodline, with plenty of the elite clubs around Europe already keeping watch over his stunning progression.
According to HITC journalist Graeme Bailey (2 April), both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are currently scouting the Durham-born teenager. Not to mention, he’s already being watched – according to previous reports – by Liverpool and Newcastle United.
Whether those interests lead to a formal approach once the season comes to a close remains another matter, because should the Whites go on to claim their return to the top-flight next season – currently fighting both Ipswich Town and Leicester City for the Championship title – Gray will surely still be a Leeds United player.
It’s why the West Yorkshire outfit are hell-bent on fulfilling their ambitions, so they don’t lose their star players such as Gray, Crysencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto and Georginio Rutter.
Three of Leeds United’s most prized assets: Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto.
Premier League status means they won’t be under pressure to lose them, can claim hefty fees as well as those players being convinced that another season developing in the top-flight would be beneficial.
For Gray though, another season or two at Elland Road would do him the world of good. An opportunity to further refine his craft playing regular football rather than a development benchwarmer at a big club should be at the top of his future agenda.
The big clubs will always be there for him to choose from. For now, development is the name of the game for the 18-year-old sensation because the way things are looking right now, he could well become the best of his historic family line.
If you’re ever looking for a division in Europe where exciting young talents go to hone their craft and bolster their development, then you’d look no further than the Sky Bet Championship.
Certainly, the Premier League is the envy of even the best footballers on the planet, but when you’re a young product looking to refine your game before reaching the big time, the English Second Division is arguably the best route to punch your ticket.
Many others would say the German Bundesliga, and while that stance is historically justified, the English Football League has grown exponentially on the continent in such a way that many of the elite clubs in Europe are keeping their eyes peeled on the Championship and even League One for those rare and exciting gems.
We’ve already seen a few players blossom in such an enthralling and gruelling environment before making their grades on the biggest platforms in Europe.
Gareth Bale, Harry Kane, Jack Grealish, John Stones, Nathan Ake, James Maddison, Ollie Watkins, Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, Andy Robertson, Harry Maguire, Jude Bellingham and a few other noticeable names as recently as former Coventry City hitman Viktor Gyokeres – now becoming an elite centre-forward at Portuguese giants Sporting – have been propelled to continental stardom as a result of their development and experience in the division.
Viktor Gyokeres excelled at Coventry City for two seasons but is now taking his game to new heights in Portugal.
Currently, the Championship is still birthing some more sparkling under-the-radar wonderkids but one player you may have already come across in the Premier League last season, but has taken a step back to successfully build a name and reputation for himself again is Leeds United’s wing wizard and star man Crysencio Summerville.
Crysencio Summerville could well have made a Premier League move like former teammate Tyler Adams last summer.
The young Dutchman has arguably been the star attraction in the Championship this season, especially after he was linked with a few Premier League clubs last summer with Vincent Kompany’s Burnley reportedly lodging a failed £20m bid (Fabrizio Romano, 25 December) to drag him away from Elland Road and continue the Leeds United transfer exodus that plagued new boss Daniel Farke before the campaign kicked off.
Summerville stayed put, knowing a successful and fruitful campaign in the Championship will aid his development but also catapult him into recruitment conversations at some of the best clubs in England.
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has played a huge part in Summerville’s stunning upward trajectory this season.
After 15 goals and eight assists at the time of writing, Summerville is already attracting interest with Brighton, Aston Villa (Football Insider, 4 January), Chelsea and Liverpool (TEAMtalk, 28 February) all keeping watch ahead of this summer.
Summerville is certainly one to watch for the now and in the future, a player blessed with such incredible attacking flair, unpredictability skill and class that is aiding Leeds United’s quest for a swift return to the Premier League.
The question remains whether Summerville will continue his journey at Elland Road should they win promotion or continue it elsewhere but before all that, his career journey and current upward trajectory deserves some attention.
Who is Crysencio Summerville?
Crysencio Jilbert Sylverio Cirro Summerville. Born in Rotterdam to Afro-Surinamese parents started out his career at RVVV Noorderkwartier before joining the well-renowned Feyenoord academy in 2008.
Progressing through the academy, Summerville went on to sign his first professional contract at the club in 2018, a three-year deal lasting until 2021.
Soon afterwards, the Dutch outfit took the decision to send the youngster out on loan for the 2018/19 campaign to FC Dordrecht. Summerville went on to make his Eerste Divisie debut for Dordrecht in January 2019 in a game against Den Bosch, as a 70th-minute substitute.
And it wasn’t long before he grabbed his first professional goal, scoring in the sixth minute of a league fixture against Jong PSV – PSV Eindhoven’s youth side – in a 3-1 defeat. The Rotterdam-born youngster went on to enjoy a successful loan spell at the club, featuring in 18 games and scoring five goals.
In August 2019, he then joined fellow Eredivisie outfit ADO Den Haag on another loan deal.
He made his debut for the club in a 1–0 win against VVV Venlo in a 1–0 victory and it wasn’t long before he grabbed his first Eredivisie goal either, scoring against Vitesse Arnhem in a 2-0 win, becoming the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the Dutch top-flight.
He impressed for the club during his spell, scoring two goals and registering three assists from 21 Eredivisie appearances before returning to his parent club Feyenoord ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.
However, soon after his return, with his first professional contract winding down, it was reported in Holland in August 2020 that Summerville had turned down an extension at Feyenoord which opened the door for potential suitors to make their move.
A month later, Summerville went on to sign for Leeds United for an undisclosed fee, penning a three-year deal.
Crycensio Summerville signs his contract to become a Leeds United player.
The Dutchman spent a year, plying his trade in the Elland Road youth setup before being rewarded with a call-up by Marcelo Bielsa to the senior side at the start of the 2021/22 campaign, making his Premier League debut against Newcastle in September 2021, coming on as a second-half sub for Raphinha.
In August 2022, Summerville was rewarded with a new contract at the club, penning a three-year deal alongside other exciting talents Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood who were also aiming to make the first-team grade alongside him.
The 2022/23 campaign in the Premier League was indeed Summerville’s emergence on the scene – even if it wasn’t the best season for Leeds United, suffering relegation after having three different managers in Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce.
The Dutchman certainly went on to make a name for himself in the side, scoring his first Leeds United goal against Fulham in a 3-2 defeat at Craven Cottage in October 2022 but it was his next goal which proved memorable in an otherwise disappointing campaign for the Whites.
Marsch’s men grabbed a famous 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield with Summerville scoring an 89th-minute winner to end Jurgen Klopp’s 29-game home unbeaten streak, also marking Leeds’ first win on the red half of Merseyside since April 2021.
Crysencio Summerville celebrates his famous winner for Leeds United in a 2-1 win v Liverpool at Anfield in 2022.
Summerville then grabbed another late goal for Leeds United in a 4-3 win over Bournemouth after they came from behind at 3-1 to win at Elland Road after a clinical counter-attack at the death.
The Dutchman also won his team an early penalty for the first goal, which Rodrigo Moreno dispatched in one of the 2022/23 campaign thrillers.
He then made it four goals from as many games when he grabbed the opener in another 4-3 thriller against Tottenham, but unfortunately, Marsch’s side were on the receiving end of a dramatic comeback from Spurs before the Premier League went on a break before the winter World Cup.
However, Summerville did not find the net again in either the league or the cup for the remainder of the season and found himself often substituted or, coming on usually as a direct second-half replacement for Brenden Aaronson.
The summer of 2023 proved a great struggle for Leeds United as they saw a number of their key stars leave Elland Road as a result of the club’s relegation to the Championship. As stated previously, Summerville could well have joined the likes of Robin Koch, Rodrigo Moreno, Rasmus Kristensen, Aaronson, and Marc Roca in seeking pastures new but it was absolutely paramount the West Yorkshire outfit kept him around as they looked to gain a swift return to the English top-flight.
That decision has proved a masterstroke for all parties, with Summerville undergoing his best season to date in his career, so far scoring 15 goals and registering eight assists as Farke’s revived and rampant team battle it out not only for automatic promotion but the Sky Bet Championship title.
At international level, Summerville is yet to make the grade of the senior Netherlands team but it won’t be long before he’s catching the eye of a nation in need of a youthful revamp under Ronald Koeman’s second stint as head coach.
The 22-year-old has still featured across all levels for the Netherlands youth sides and was a part of the under-17 side which won the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship and has now become a fully-fledged member of the under-21s, so far making eight appearances and scoring two goals.
What is Summerville’s style of play? How good is he?
There’s no doubt that a season playing Championship football for Summerville was the best route and decision for him to take because the Dutchman is far and wide one of the best young attackers in the country.
So far this season, Summerville’s goal contributions stand at 15 goals and eight assists which is indicative of the player the Dutchman is fast becoming. He’s the joint-fourth top scorer in the division and has the eighth most assists.
Can we say Summerville is ready for Premier League football if he was to move right at this moment in time? Certainly.
However, it’s best to judge him on the impact and development he’s made at the level he is playing at right now and it’s pretty cut and dry that the 22-year-old’s growth has been nothing short of remarkable.
Whenever Leeds United need attacking inspiration and decisive ingenuity in the final third, Summerville is on hand to deliver and that’s down to the freedom and attacking responsibility Farke has given him in his fluid and flexible system at Elland Road.
Usually lining up on the left flank of a 4-2-3-1 formation formally utilised by Farke, Summerville is given the license to roam from his position, drive at defenders, get into dangerous goal-scoring opportunities through quick one-twos with his teammates but also to play off the main number nine.
The Whites have been phenomenal to watch under Farke’s management and that isn’t only down to the personnel at the German’s disposal. Georginio Rutter, Dan James, Patrick Bamford, Joel Piroe, Wilfried Gnonto and Summerville are enough names to cause shivers down an opponent’s defensive spine.
However, they can break down opponents in various ways through a patient possession-based game but also through electric, decisive counter-attacking football.
That is certainly shown in the graph above which highlights how flexible Leeds (underlined) are when attacking. They are a patient team when they need to be but also present a real threat on the counter.
So far this season, at the time of writing, the Whites are second in the Championship for direct attacks (78) and third for build-up attacks (128) behind Leicester City and Southampton (The Analyst).
One of the reasons Leeds are so dangerous and decisive on the counter is because of Summerville’s directness, unpredictability and electric 1v1 dribbling but more glowingly, the confidence at which he operates and the confidence his teammates have in his ability to be the game-changing component when they need him most.
As seen in the image above. Most of Leeds’ attacking play comes down the left-hand side where Summerville largely operates.
Because of his excellent burst of speed, 1v1 threat, and excellent combination play, Farke’s team have so many avenues to disrupt and dissect opposition blocks at will. The Feyenoord academy product is a brilliant watch when up against opposition full-backs.
Summerville visual analysis
He lulls them into a false sense of security when he slows his game down and when he reads his marker attempting to win the ball, like so many of his positional peers, he swiftly moves the ball from the defender’s orbit before they can even engage and he’s off.
Even receiving possession with his back to goal isn’t a problem for him.
He’s so good at manipulating his marker, deceptively jinking one way but instantly going the way, leaving defenders in their wake.
Partnership with Georginio Rutter
One of Summervile’s calling cards in terms of combination play, is his exceptional partnership with teammate and the other main creative hub in the Leeds United team, Rutter.
Both players have formed one of the most devastating partnerships in the country and the most decisive and fruitful in the Championship, as pointed out in the stat below:
No duo in the top four tiers of English football have combined for more goals in all competitions this season Crysencio Summerville & Georginio Rutter (eight goals – six scored by Summerville, two by Rutter). Great partnership. #lufcpic.twitter.com/Xw2K4lxGzX
Everything Summerville does in attack works so well because as a team Leeds are devastatingly effective in getting him into dangerous areas and the most lethal counter-attacking team in the division. No player picks him out so naturally as Rutter in a partnership that is as entertaining as it is deadly.
Georginio Rutter and Summerville combine to give Leeds United the lead against Rotherham United
One fine example was Summerville’s opener in a 1-1 draw against Rotherham United in November. The ball is played to Rutter (RED) and Summerville (ORANGE) is already on the move, away from his marker and into space before he expertly finishes into the bottom corner.
The movement and understanding between Rutter and Summerville have been building steadily all season, with seven of Rutter’s 15 league assists [BBC Sport] laid on a plate for Summerville, who has scored 16 goals in all competitions. The 22-year-old’s runs are becoming instinctive when Rutter has the ball in such areas.
It’s important to note that the Dutchman is picture-perfect at times when running beyond opposition defence as seen in the image above.
It is why the Whites are always faced with deep-opposition blocks but Farke’s men always find a way to penetrate because of Rutter and Summerville’s stunning combination plays.
Rutter and Summerville have formed a devastating partnership in the Sky Bet Championship.
It’s the same story when Leeds United faced off against Coventry City at Elland Road in December. Once again, Summerville makes a superb dart in behind the Sky Blues’ deep defensive block and is found by Rutter’s sublime through ball before finishing beyond Bradley Collins in the Coventry goal.
Whenever Leeds are in these final third scenarios, you will never find Rutter and Summerville at distances apart.
They are always in close proximity to each other because both players are offered the freedom and responsibility to cook up game-changing combinations and individual magic, and much of the credit must go to Farke for identifying both players’ strengths and using them to their advantage.
While it’s tremendous to know how Summerville operates with others around him, he’s also capable of winning points on his own.
We’ve already pointed out his excellent nimble footwork, 1v1 threat, pace and unpredictability which has made him so unstoppable this season but he can also pop up with goals you won’t expect from him.
Given his small frame, the Dutchman has still weighed in with the odd-headed goal.
Against Middlesbrough in a 3-2 win in December, Summerville latched on to a deflected cross through some timely movement to get in front of his marker and attempt a sumptuous leap off the ground, heading his team into a 2-0 lead at Elland Road.
Stats a fact for Summerville
Summerville is outperforming his expected goals (xG) tally, with 13 open-play league goals scored from an xG of 12.75. He favours a far-post finish with his right foot (13 of his 15 league goals have been right-foot finishes) when coming in from the left flank.
Taking a look at Summerville’s underlying numbers for Leeds United this season, he is matching but also exceeding the expectations placed on him. He is as brilliantly creative as he is clinical in front of goal and that’s down to his hard work and application.
It’s no wonder why his manager Farke unexpectedly used the tag “baller” when describing him back in December.
He said: “How we work is a secret for the training ground. I don’t talk about meetings. Crysencio is a baller. When you see a guy touching the ball like he does it’s heart-warming. We want him to improve his effectiveness. Need goals and assists and end products. The next step in his career. Delivers like this, he is on a good path.”
Summerville has responded to that praise and demand with terrific aplomb since then. The Dutchman has created 16 big chances in the Championship so far this season and averages 2.58 key passes per game.
He ranks first out of all English Second Division players for shot-creating actions (186), first for shot-creating actions per 90, 3rd for key passes (93), third for successful take-ons and carries into the penalty area (78), ranks fourth for progressive carries (156), seventh for through balls (13) and 9th for goal-creating actions (14) (FBRef).
Summerville isn’t only one of the best in the Championship but statistically, he is one of the best amongst his positional peers in the divisions outside Europe’s top five leagues.
Amongst attacking midfielders/wingers in the next 14 divisions in Europe, the Dutch under-21 international ranks in the top 3% for shot-creating actions and carries into the penalty area per 90, highlighting his excellent 1v1 threat up against defenders and also creating space for his teammates to operate in.
Summerville also ranks in the top 4% for progressive carries, in the top 2% for touches in the attacking penalty area and the top 3% for touches in the final third.
There are still a number of attributes Summerville will need to work on to reach the elite levels though.
At times, the Dutchman’s game when faced up against his markers can be a bit monotonous, he is always looking for quick combinations with his teammates and when faced up against more quality opposition, they will always identify it as a strength and look to stop and counter it.
There’s an opportunity for Summerville to mix up his game, and he certainly will need to in the Premier League next season, by putting more crosses in via cutting in or getting to the byline and delivering with his left foot – another aspect of his game he needs to work on, using his weaker foot to increase his unpredictability and dominance over his opponents.
When you combine Summerville’s flair, skill, and trickery with his astronomical rise in goal output this season, you have a potential footballing superstar on your hands. Still only 22, he isn’t the finished product by any means but is showing considerable improvement every year that will stand him in good stead once he reaches the elite level.
Forecast for Summerville’s future
There’s no doubt, Summerville is a superstar in the making. His improvement and rise this season have been nothing short of sensational and just the tonic he’s needed to develop into the superstar he’s destined to become.
One would imagine what might have been had he moved to the Premier League last summer? Possibly a lack of minutes led to a stunt in his maturity and confidence.
Delayed promotion has been the name of the game for the Dutchman, the decision to remain at Leeds United is arguably the biggest one he’ll make throughout his career.
He’s been massively aided by it, a chance to hone his craft away from the pressures of the English top flight but develop under the weight of expectation from Leeds fans that has proven just right for him – they are sitting top of the Sky Bet Championship heading into the March international break.
The Whites are a sure bet to gain promotion back to the Premier League should their stunning form continue in recent weeks. Summerville’s contract at Elland Road still has two years to run from this summer [Transfermarkt] so it won’t be a surprise to see him remain at the club next season.
However, there will be potential suitors for his signature, there’s no doubt about that. Leeds United won’t allow him to leave without a reasonable fee involved, with two years left on his contract.
One thing Summerville must weigh up is the project of any potential move, will his game time and squad status remain the same? Or will he be resigned to a reduced role through increased competition? Such is the nature of top-level football, the latter will be an obstacle Summerville will ultimately face in future and will be a true test of his determination and character.
The elite clubs, nonetheless, are by no means beyond his reach.
The future of English football is in very capable and safe hands regarding its centre-backs.
With the European Championships this summer fast approaching, England boss Gareth Southgate will have a piercing headache trying to pick four or five centre-backs for his 25-man squad for the tournament and given the plethora of options available to him, he is once again in for a tough ask picking his defensive weaponry.
While the likes of Harry Maguire and John Stones have carried the mantle for a few years, there are a few list of names looking to upset that order. Fikayo Tomori, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Lewis Dunk, and Levi Colwill have all emerged as strong contenders for a starting spot in Germany.
There are also potential wildcard options that have undergone tremendous upward trajectories so far this campaign and have exceeded in the England under-21 setup such as Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, Manchester City loanee Taylor Hardwood-Bellis and Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah.
As is the ongoing trend in England, there will certainly be a new bread of gems cropping up the scene over the next year and one player sure to be amongst that pool of talents is Peterborough United’s exceptionally gifted centre-back and leader amongst men, Ronnie Edwards.
This is a 20-year-old defender destined for great things but also possesses a talent and blend of attributes that make him stand out not only amongst his teammates but in the whole of League One.
It’s no mistake to find that Peterborough recently rejected a bid from Premier League clubs West Ham and Crystal Palace, as confirmed by the club’s director of football Barry Fry (BirminghamWorld, 25 January) but they will certainly be back in with another move before long.
Manager Darren Ferguson pointed out in January [Peterborough Telegraph, 12 January] that the ideal scenario for Peterborough would have been a Premier League signing him with the condition of the young defender being loaned back to the club before.
Regarded as one of the most sought-after players outside the Premier League in England and already going on to make under 130 games of senior football and also a 12-time England under-20 international, Edwards is certainly well equipped and suited to make the rare jump from League One straight to the Premier League.
So how has Edwards gotten to this stage? Why is he so highly regarded in the Football League and just how well-suited could he be should he make the swift jump to the English top-flight?
Who is Ronnie Edwards?
Born in Harlow, England, Edwards joined Barnet at the age of nine, and progressed through the club’s academy, captaining the under-18s. Aged sixteen, he made his senior debut when he captained a young Bees side in a Middlesex Senior Cup game against Staines Town in December 2019.
That month saw him make his league debut as a late substitute against Maidenhead United. Five games later, Edwards made the transfer over to Peterborough United in August 2020 for an undisclosed fee after a successful trial before quickly making his debut for the Posh against Burton Albion in the EFL trophy in September 2020.
Edwards made his full league debut for Peterborough in December 2020 in a 1–1 draw away to Milton Keynes Dons but it wasn’t for another two years before going on to become a permanent fixture in the first team during the 2021/22 campaign although the Posh would suffer relegation from the Championship.
However, that season proved every bit a success on an individual level for the talented centre-back winning four awards at the club’s end-of-season awards, including the Player of the Season.
Since then, Edwards hasn’t looked back and has even been rewarded with a swift and deserved emergence on the England youth international scene.
The Harlow-born talent was called up to a training camp with the England U19 national team in May 2021 before receiving an official call-up to the full U19 squad for the friendly Marbella Cup tournament and made his debut during a 3-1 defeat against France.
Edwards was included in the England U19 squad for the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship and was immediately thrust in for his first start in the final showdown against Israel in July 2022 for which the young Lions triumphed 3-1 after extra time.
The new 2022/23 campaign brought even more growth and progression for Edwards, receiving a call-up to the England Under-2o side and making his debut in a resounding 3-0 win over Chile in September 2022.
It wasn’t long before Edwards was entrusted with a key role in another major competition for the England Under-20 side, rewarded with a call-up to the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in May 2023.
Edwards would go on to feature prominently throughout the tournament, playing a key role at the heart of the defence in all four games before England were unfortunately knocked out in the round-of-16 tie against Italy.
What is Edwards’ style of play? Why is he highly rated in England?
Edwards possesses all the hallmarks and attributes to be one of the best modern-day centre-backs of his generation if he keeps up his stunning upward trajectory.
Right now, the 20-year-old is showcasing a rare completeness in his game that is very rare to find from such a young player in the EFL League One.
First and foremost, it is important to point out Edwards’ incredible durability.
One of the key components managers look for when signing such a talent is their injury record and squad availability and Edwards is immensely reliable in that area.
Of Peterborough’s 35 Sky Bet League One games so far, at the time of writing, Edwards has featured and started in every game.
He is well on course to play all 46 games showcasing his tremendous presence, reliability and durability, especially in one of the most gruelling divisions in the country. Whenever manager Ferguson needs him, Edwards is there ready and has become one of the first names on the teamsheet.
It’s perfect for any manager when one of his key players are always available but it is an absolute bonus when that availability is backed up with quality and consistency. Edwards has by far and wide been one of the best centre-backs in the division this season.
Previously dubbed a “Rolls-Royce” by the club chairman Fry, Edwards has helped Peterborough to 11 clean sheets so far this season all whilst averaging 1.0 interceptions, 1.2 tackles, 5.2 balls recovered and 4.2 clearances per game in League One. His duel success rate this season makes for tremendous reading, recording a 62% ground duel success rate and also excelling brilliantly in his aerial duels successfully winning 59% [SofaScore].
In a 3-0 win over Blackpool on 20 February, Edwards won a whopping 12 of his 16 aerial duels, also winning 100% of his ground duels. It was a similar story against Cambridge United seven days later, winning 75% of his aerial duels and 66% of his ground duels, once again highlighting his impact and influence in defending.
In one-on-one defensive duels, Edwards positions his body sideways which enables him to keep pace with an attacker, and his tackling, timing and technique are solid enough to come away with the ball more times than not.
In the image above, Edwards stands up well against his opponent, is patient enough to scan and read his next action before timing his intervention, tackling well before coming away with possession, as seen below:
When dealing with his attacking opponents in the wide areas, he positions himself really well to stand up against them and recover the ball through slide tackles or via great strength pace and excellent reading of the game.
Edwards uses his body & strength really well to get in between the ball and the attacker when balls are being played over/through the defensive line.
The 20-year-old wonderkid is an excellent defender but such are the added responsibilities of a centre-back these days, we must take into consideration his abilities on the ball and in possession – a great requirement of a modern-day centre-half.
What most comment on about Edwards’ game is his composure and assuredness in possession, and for damn good reason. He seems unphased by opposition pressure, nor the fact he’s playing in front of thousands of football fans. He has a strong awareness of the space and players around him, which mixes well with his composure and elegance on the ball.
Edwards is Peterborough’s most progressive as well as their most accurate passer, their most crucial component in how they kick off their attacks. Of Peterborough’s regular starters, he has the most passes per game with 88, at a stunning 91% accuracy [SofaScore]. This says a lot about the trust that his teammates have in his passing ability, and ability to handle pressure at an important third of the pitch.
Premier League clubs and even the top-end clubs in the Championship love a centre-back capable of playing out of pressure and is incredibly adept at building from the back, so it’s of no surprise Edwards is arguably the most coveted talent in the English Football League.
He attempts 7.2 accurate long balls per game, at a tremendous success rate of 68% so he is attempting to force the play forwards at every available opportunity.
These are often a result of a period of passing between the three centre-backs, opening up space in the midfield, and Edwards typically aims these forward passes into the feet of an attacker who has dropped deeper to collect the ball. He has a keen eye for when these moments occur and looks to take advantage when possible.
During the build-up he will make an angle to receive the ball short, showing intelligence in dropping deeper or moving slightly wider to drag an attacker away and create passing lanes centrally.
Although he can take too many touches when receiving, and a strong press could dispossess him, fortunately, he shows strong decision-making with the ball and understands risk to a good level for someone so young.
With more refining and development at a higher level, Edwards could well morph into the next John Stones. Capable of taking up several positions in the build-up to aid his side’s ball progression but also manipulate an opponent’s press to his team’s favour.
Ronnie Edwards today… One of the best young technical CBs in England.
It is why when he does eventually move on, his next club must be a top-heavy possession-based side.
Peterborough and Ferguson have nurtured him brilliantly in that respect but playing under top-level coaches with better players could advance his development and attributes as a ball-playing centre-back – an elite and top-quality one – considerably.
Edwards can use both feet when distributing play but there can be a considerable drop off when passing out with his left and developing that characteristic at a better and more developing football club will be mightily beneficial because this is indeed a defender destined for greatness.
Ferguson recently praised his temperament and maturity for his age in January amidst the speculation surrounding his future, stating [Peterborough Telegraph, 12 January]:
“The constant speculation can be frustrating, but I have no concerns about any of it affecting Ronnie. You could tell him five minutes before kick-off there had been a bid for him and it would make no difference to how he played as he’s so level-headed and calm. He has a fantastic temperament.”
In order for Edwards’ huge potential to be fulfilled, the path to get there is of significant importance.
What does the future hold for Edwards?
Here and now, Edwards’ focus must be pushing for a playoff place with Peterborough. At the time of writing, The Posh are currently fifth in League One, but still have an outside chance of automatic promotion with a game in hand on second-placed Derby County, despite being five points away from them.
Should the Posh secure promotion to the English Second Division, it wouldn’t be out of the question for Edwards to remain at the club for next season.
However, his contract comes to a close in June 2025 [Transfermarkt] and given the clamour for his talented services this summer, there’s understandably been no talk or even rumours regarding an extension to his current deal plus Peterborough will be hoping to gain a healthy transfer windfall and the best chance of achieving that is this summer.
As stated previously, Edwards is a talent of such prestigious class and uniqueness and whichever club he ends up next, they have an incredible talent on their hands.
With a number of Premier League sides keeping watch on his progress, a move to the English top flight simply won’t be out of the question. Crystal Palace are one of those clubs interested, given they could well be about to lose Marc Guehi this summer? Will he be a sturdy replacement?
The 20-year-old would certainly fit right in given the Eagles’ exciting model of recruiting top-end talents from the EFL. Edwards will also fit perfectly as one of the progressive and sturdy components in new manager Oliver Glasner’s three-man defensive system.
Whether he’d be an instant starter at Selhurst Park is another matter entirely though, and that’s why the defender and his representatives must plot his path and career trajectory with a fine-tooth comb.
Playing time must be paramount in their decision-making.
In the modern era, the appreciation of a deep-lying playmaker has taken a back seat within various styles and philosophies at some of Europe’s most elite clubs.
Further emphasis is now being placed on other roles such as the inverted full-back, the ball-playing goalkeeper or the box-crashing number eight.
Not since the glory days of Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Andrea Pirlo and Toni Kroos in his prime days have we drooled after a decorated and prestigious tempo setter who regularly orchestrates proceedings from the base of midfield.
While the role thankfully hasn’t become a dying art and is still very much prominent amongst the best clubs, it certainly hasn’t been the Picasso we once heralded with such blissful glee before.
However, things are starting to change as more stunning midfield talents break onto the scene across the continent, which could mean we start pining for the deep-lying role again.
Some of these bright talents forcing the role into the spotlight once again aren’t from the glamorous places you would expect but it’s in those unexpected places where you’d find the rare gems.
The Sky Bet Championship is arguably one of the last places people could look but it certainly possesses one talent capable of bringing deep-lying sexy back and that’s Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney.
Hackney (left) has been an ever-present figure on Teesside.
The 21-year-old has been one of the main protagonists of Middlesbrough’s resurgence under Michael Carrick’s management in the past year and his performances at the base of Boro’s midfield throughout have certainly and as expected, caught several eyes in the Barclays Premier League.
It certainly won’t be long before we see Hackney gracing the English top flight with his unique and flawless gifts which will propel his profile considerably given the clamour for talents in his position and role.
So how has Hackney gotten to this position in his career?
Who is Hayden Hackney?
Hayden Rhys Hackney. Born in Redcar, England, just east of Middlesbrough, Hackney joined Boro’s youth setup at Under 10’s and has rarely looked back since then.
Featuring in all age grades and scoring a famous winner for the under-23s in their inaugural Checkatrade Trophy game. This, along with other performances with the under-21s and under-23s earned him his first professional contract in 2019.
Having been part of the Middlesbrough team that reached the under-18 Premier League Cup final in 2019, he signed his first professional contract with the club in June 2019, his 17th birthday.
Shortly after being named on the first-team bench for a match against Barnsley in November 2019, he was praised by then manager Jonathan Woodgate who claimed “Hackney deserves to be there because he’s been outstanding for the Under-23s.”
Hackney made his senior debut in a cameo appearance in the FA Cup third-round tie against Brentford but failed to break through to the first-team squad regularly despite travelling with them often.
Ultimately, amidst a slight crossroads in his career at the Riverside Stadium, the club opted to send him on loan to League Two dwellers Scunthorpe United from August 2021 till January 2022.
After playing in the majority of games in the first half of the season, Hackney’s loan was extended to last until the end of the season. In the 15th minute of a 2–0 defeat to Exeter City, Hackney was caught spitting at an opponent.
The referee did not see this at the time, but after the game, the Football Association confirmed that Hackney had admitted to spitting and was given a six-game suspension.
He made 31 appearances as Scunthorpe were relegated to the National League. It was an experience which certainly aided Hackney’s development and maturity to bed him into the first-team picture at Middlesbrough.
Yet, this was not the case. Chris Wilder seemingly alienated Hackney from his plans and subsequently, he failed to make an appearance under him. Hackney’s unconventional breakthrough was the product of interim coach Leo Percovich.
The Uruguayan only served between Wilder and Carrick for a matter of 21 days. On his second day in charge, he was tasked with managing the team as Birmingham visited the Riverside.
They scraped a 1-0 win and this was Hackney’s first feature of the season; becoming a regular feature ever since.
Hackney during the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg match against Coventry (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
Under Carrick’s tutelage, Hackney has taken his game to incredible heights, pivotal to their unfortunate push for the Championship playoff losing the play-off semi-final to Coventry City.
Hackney was rewarded with the Middlesbrough Young Player of the Year Award for the 2022–23 season, having made 38 appearances and scoring 3 goals.
Hackney was also nominated for the Championship Young Player of the Season Award for the same season but lost out to Bristol City’s Alex Scott.
In September 2023, he was called up to the England under-21 squad for the first time, going on to make his international debut in a 3-0 win away to Luxembourg.
Hayden Hackney’s Style of Play
There’s a reason why Hackney is regarded as one of England’s most gifted young midfielders and that’s because he fulfils the metronomic role of a deep-lying conductor to an absolute tee.
The tools and attributes of a deep-lying playmaker revolve around controlling the game or “pulling the strings” if you’d like. This involves dictating the tempo and maintaining possession so that the team is always managing the game in their favour.
These attributes include; a high footballing IQ, confidence with the ball, a range of passes, technical dribbling and vision – all of which Hackney possesses in his weaponry.
However, nowadays the role transcends beyond the understanding of just dictating the tempo of a team’s style of play, they are also expected to receive the ball well under pressure from goalkeepers or centre-backs, play with their back to where their team is shooting as well as screening their back four and protecting it.
To become an elite operator in the role, all of those characteristics must be performed to a consistent and measured level. While Hackney has not reached those heights as yet, his qualities are of a player who embodies such unique attributes.
Put it this way, Michael Carrick – one of England’s most decorated deep-lying playmakers to grace the country’s game over the last 15 years – sees himself in Hayden and it is why the 21-year-old has not only become Carrick’s eyes and ears on the pitch but Middlesbrough’s heartbeat.
However, Hackney is not only capable of fulfilling roles deep in midfield but can also perform consistently as the “box-crashing” number eight or the playmaker in between the opposition’s midfield and defensive line, wreaking havoc through line-breaking runs from deep (as seen below) or line-splitting passes.
Adept at playing accurate diagonals from his half, Hackney was often the only spark of creativity bothering the high line of Chelsea through some tremendous wide range of passes pinning back the Chelsea defence but also forcing them into uncomfortable situations through his pressing, aggression, combination play with his teammates and his high-positioning in the half-spaces.
As seen in the image above, Hayden possesses a great understanding of where to position himself in the half-spaces to disrupt Chelsea’s shape.
Moises Caicedo is too slow to pick him up and Hackney is allowed the freedom of the left half-space via a line-breaking pass from defence to receive the ball and get Carrick’s team quickly into the final third.
The England under-21 international is normally the one providing those passes for his attacking teammates in the Championship but Carrick allowed him the luxury to perform his duties high up the pitch and the young midfielder paid back that faith with great aplomb.
It was Hackney’s Frank Lampard-trademark run into the penalty area and goal which gave Carrick’s men the lead in their 1-0 Carabao Cup first-leg triumph over Chelsea on 9 January.
Middlesbrough’s recent run to the semifinal of the EFL Cup may have ended in defeat to Chelsea, but Hackney’s goal and assist over the two legs certainly etched his name into the books of all scouts of top-tier football.
There’s a reason why Hackney must be deemed the heartbeat of Carrick’s team and that’s because of his all-action, inventive and enthusiastic style.
A cursory look at his heatmap for 23/24 in the championship is enough to appreciate his importance to Middlesbrough’s progression of the ball.
Hackney’s 2023/24 season heatmap
Mostly functioning as a deep-lying playmaker, the 21-year-old tends to rely on his dribbling ability to bring the ball forward in the opposition’s half. While he isn’t the fastest, his agility and spatial awareness aid him in progressing the ball with relative ease.
So far this season, Hackney has recorded the ninth-most passes into the final third of any Championship player this season (200) (FBRef) painting the picture of how adept and masterful he is in progressing the play.
Amongst his positional peers outside Europe’s top-five leagues this season, he ranks in the top 1% of midfielders for passes into the final third top 2% for passes attempted per 90, and the top 4% for progressive passes.
Moreover, Hackney isn’t just an adept passer of the ball but also holds the unique ability to drive with the ball from his deep positioning to drag his team up the pitch or the ability to get himself out of tight spots through his tremendous ball control, flexibility and ball-retention through his low centre of gravity.
As per FBRef, Hackney also sits in the top 15% of midfielders for progressive carries per 90 and the top 12% for carries into the penalty area.
The most elite teams on the land all possess the thirst for midfielders capable of breaking lines through ball-carrying and passing and the stats certainly show that Hackney is one of the best around and it won’t be a surprise to see such attributes attract some of the best suitors on the continent.
Keeping in line with references to one of the world’s best deep-lying playmakers over the past decade, when watching Hackney in full flow at the heart of the Riverside, you’d gleefully notice his Toni Kroos-esque long through balls in behind opposition defences.
The 21-year-old averages 6.26 long passes each game in the Championship showcasing his intent to continually break down defenses from deep within his own territory.
When he moves further into enemy lines, Middlesbrough relies on his ability to produce line-breaking passes to create chances in the final third. Till now, his passing has resulted in 3.62 SCA p90 and a further 0.23 GCA p90 while he also impressively ranks in the top 8% of midfielders outside Europe’s top-five leagues for through balls per 90.
While deep-lying midfield players like Hackney take on the huge responsibilities of orchestrating play on the ball, they also need to fulfil the crucial responsibilities off it and it’s safe to say the 21-year-old has proven exceptional in that respect.
Unfettered by the rough approach of the teams in the Championship, Hayden charges into challenges like a bull in a china shop to win possession for his team This season, he has averaged 2.40 tackles p90.
However, the North Yorkshire resident possesses the ability to read the game well. Positioning himself well and anticipating play perfectly, Hayden has steadily learnt the art of intercepting and blocking. Averaging 1.61 blocks per 90 and 2.24 tackles + interceptions per 90.
The Redcar-born talent possesses tremendous work rate and that’s all down to his learning and development in some of the toughest and most brutal leagues in the land. Hackney is one of those players you’ll find still running around pressing, battling and flying into tackles well into added time and that’s shown through an impressive 7.82 ball recoveries p90 in the Championship.
However, Carrick’s men have been recently blighted by the news that Hackney is facing a spell on the Middlesbrough treatment table after suffering a knee injury against Preston North End on 14 February – a damaging blow to their ever-increasing faint hopes of securing another play-off place come May.
In fact, the Englishman’s absences and injuries have been keenly felt within Carrick’s squad. Hackney has only featured 21 times out of Middlesbrough’s 33 games in the Championship this season and this latest blow certainly won’t do their chances any good between now and May.
It could well be the last fans have seen of Hackney in a Middlesbrough shirt with a Premier League move sure to be on the horizon for such a talented and decorated young performer.
Forecast for Hackney’s future
Hackney’s rise in the English second division is certainly a remarkable and fairytale one, especially for a player with unique qualities and burgeoning potential.
Daily Mail reported in December that several English top-flight clubs are currently keeping track of his progress on Teeside with Liverpool and Tottenham two of the biggest names involved.
It remains to be seen whether Liverpool will firm up their interest in Hackney given the uncertainty surrounding the club once Jurgen Klopp departs at the end of the campaign.
However, Tottenham looks an attractive proposition for Hackney, especially with Ange Postecoglou potentially on the prowl for a young, vibrant and talented defensive midfielder with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg destined to depart at the end of the season.
Hackney certainly fits the mould of the kind of player and profile Tottenham are looking for right now in their new and improved era under the Austrailian but even if that move doesn’t pan out, the 21-year-old is sure to have several offers in waiting.
The Sky Bet Championship has become an incredible hub for talented and exciting young footballers potentially looking to make their mark amongst the elite in the Premier League and around Europe. We’ve already seen a few players blossom in England’s second division and go on to make their name within the country’s flagship competition but also elsewhere in Europe’s top-five leagues.
Players like Harry Kane, Jack Grealish, James Maddison, Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, Andy Robertson, Harry Maguire, Jude Bellingham and a few other noticeable names have been propelled to continental stardom as a result of their development and experience in the division.
One player who has already moved on to pastures new in the Premier League promised land as a result of his stunning displays in the division is Adam Wharton, who made the move to Crystal Palace from Blackburn Rovers on transfer deadline day for a fee of around £18m that could rise to £22m (Sky Sports, 1 February).
Wharton may not be the only big-money Championship to Premier League switch in 2024. Currently, the Championship is still birthing some more sparkling wonderkids but one player currently regarded as the most exciting of the bunch, undergoing a remarkable breakthrough campaign as one of the hottest prospects in the division is Norwich City’s Jonathan Rowe.
12 goals and two assists so far this campaign is an incredible return for a player currently lauded as one of the best-attacking youngsters in the country and it’s no wonder why he was subject to plenty of interest from West Ham and Aston Villa (TalkSPORT) in the January window and interest from Wolves last summer (The Sun) – moves which will have made sense for each of those suitors as well as Rowe himself.
However, Rowe has stayed put which is tremendous news for Norwich fans but may just be the right call for the 20-year-old’s long-term development.
The winger already has Premier League experience under his belt, playing 13 times for the club during the 2021/22 campaign, registering one assist but this season is the campaign which certainly confirms his ability to be an instant hit once he returns in the big-time.
Rowe is certainly one to watch for the now and in the future, a player blessed with such incredible attacking flair, skill and class but most of all, an understanding of his position that even the most experienced individuals in the game would kill for. But how has Rowe got to this position, what’s his role in the Norwich City team and what could he offer potential suitors in the future?
Who is Jonathan Rowe?
A product of the Norwich City youth academy, Rowe signed his first professional contract with the club on 20 October 2021.
After impressing with the club’s Under-23s, nominated for the December 2021 Premier League 2 Player of the Month, Rowe was fast-tracked to the first-team squad at just 18.
Rowe signs his professional new contract at Norwich.
He went on to make his debut in the Premier League against Crystal Palace, coming on as a late substitute in the 68th minute in a 3–0 Premier League loss.
His 2022/23 was held back by injuries, with just three appearances coming in the closing weeks of the season but the youngster pulled himself back from the ashes with a tremendous start to the 2023/24 campaign, scoring five goals from the first five Championship games.
These impressive performances saw him awarded the EFL Young Player of the Month award for August 2023 and Rowe hasn’t looked back since, so far scoring 12 goals in the Championship and registering one assist.
In October 2023, Rowe received his first call-up to the England under-21 national team for two 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers against Serbia and Ukraine.
He then made his debut for the Three Lions against the Serbians, on 12 October, coming on as a substitute for Liam Delap in the 69th minute; he went on to score his first goal for the team, contributing to a 9–1 win.
Rowe has starred for England under-21s and grabbed his first goal v Serbia
With Norwich City currently having an outside chance of reaching the playoffs, manager David Wagner will be hoping Rowe is kept fit between now and the end of the season if they have any chance of making the playoffs when it comes around in May.
What is Rowe’s style of play? Why is he highly regarded at Norwich?
The flawless 20-year-old talent has rapidly become Norwich’s showstopper over the past year, the main event in a team that has grown considerably under the tutelage of former Huddersfield manager Wagner.
Norwich currently sit just a point outside the Championship playoff places and that is down to Rowe’s consistent brilliance in attack.
The Norwich City academy product is a versatile and confident operator. Capable of playing anywhere across the attack for the Canaries, Wagner has preferred him out wide on the left as an inside forward whilst also featuring on the right.
Performing at 0.54 NPG (Non-Penalty Goals) per 90 ranking him in the elite percentile for forwards at his level. The only caveat that arrives with this is that he is performing at a 0.23 npxG (Non-Penalty Expected Goals) per 90 which shows how Rowe is overperforming in comparison to his statistics [FBRef].
At the time of writing, Rowe is the joint-fifth top scorer in the division and that is certainly no fluke. The 20-year-old has scored 12 goals from 53 total shots and 23 shots on target handing him an impressive conversation rate of around 25% – the sixth-best in the division [Transfermarkt].
⚽️ Of the 75 players to manage at least 30 shots, Jonathan Rowe has the best conversion rate (22.6%) in the Championship this season pic.twitter.com/f1x4jw5eu3
Since he plays mainly from the left side of the attack, Rowe holds the tendency like every top inside forward in Europe to drive inside to wreak havoc in the opposition defences, either through shooting or forming chances for teammates.
Rowe is a powerful and deceptive ball carrier. He is relatively small, standing at 5’10”, but he has a powerful build and the ability to quickly drop his shoulder and shift his balance when he is running in possession of the ball.
In the image above, he is initially covered by two opposition defenders, but the ability to drop a shoulder and drive inside before producing a piece of skill to quickly change direction while moving at speed allows him the room and entry point to drive to the touchline without being dispossessed. After cutting inside again, he plays a low cross across the goal to set up a goalscoring opportunity.
Having the ability to change pace at high speed is a trait that The Canaries forward uses in the final third. Despite being 5’10, Rowe uses his low centre of gravity to glide past defenders looking to cause danger against his opposition.
This becomes effective when in and around the box where he specifically likes to do his best work.
Averaging 4.47 touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 highlights Rowe’s confidence in advanced attacking positions. Wagner’s Norwich have mainly set up in a 4-2-3-1 with Rowe operating as the left-sided forward increasing the importance of his ability to successfully progress the ball into the attacking third, averaging 3.48 progressive carries per 90, demonstrating his importance in Norwich’s success thus far.
Up against wingers in the rest of Europe’s 14 leagues after the top five, Rowe ranks in the top 97th percentile of midfielders for progressive carries, 89th percentile for successful take-ons, and 99th percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 [FBRef].
Rowe’s dribbling ability is his calling card. He is incredibly hard to knock off the ball because of his wonderful low sense of gravity, ball control and speed. The only way to dispossess him most times, is to foul him.
Playoff rivals Hull City found that out in January when he scored a fabulous solo goal after dribbling his way into the penalty area amongst a whole host of opposition players around him before finishing expertly via the outside of his foot.
Stop what you are doing and watch this sensational finish from Jonathan Rowe 🤩🔥 pic.twitter.com/hAAAW61L06
Rowe holds the ability to change speeds and direction when approaching the box, a unique characteristic that so many wingers across the continent would kill for.
These strengths are presented perfectly in his goal against Millwall in August. Rowe picked up the ball in the opposition half and drove at the Millwall full-back before squaring him up.
He then shifted the ball inside before playing a pass to the edge of the 18-yard box and making a darting run between the full-back and central defender, highlighting his ability to change pace at high speeds. Rowe then received the ball back in the box before taking one touch to set himself and then firing an excellent strike across the goalkeeper into the bottom right corner.
One of the main reasons why Rowe is so difficult to contend with when in these attacking areas is his ambidexterity. The 20-year-old isn’t a one-trick-pony-type winger but is perfectly capable of mixing up his game to make him as unpredictable as possible.
Almost all of his 12 goals this season showcase so many different facets of his game that he has honed throughout his development at the Canaries and it is why he is well on his way to stardom in the Premier League, even if Norwich do not make it to the promised land next season.
Forecast for Rowe’s Future
There’s no doubt that Rowe is on his way to the very top in English football given the number of Premier League clubs watching over his progress at Norwich City.
A player with all the key attributes to make it at the top level and the mindset to match. With Rowe being a fan favourite at Carrow Road, it was certainly in his best interest to remain at the club during the January transfer window and while there may be advice for him to stick around beyond the summer, that remains very unlikely with the quality teams sniffing around for his signature.
Aston Villa, West Ham and Wolves represent stunning next career moves for the talented winger and just the platforms he’ll need to prove why he’s regarded as one of the most exciting young attacking talents in the country.
Before any of that can happen though, Rowe has a huge responsibility on his hand leading Wagner’s Canaries to an unprecedented Championship playoff place and with Norwich City level on points with sixth-placed Coventry City, at the time of writing, that ambition is still very much on the cards.
Rowe is a delight to watch and will more than likely go very far in the game but for now he’s on the watchlist alongside several other excellent talents being produced in the Championship at the minute.
According to widespread reports, Ukrainian sensation Mykhailo Mudryk could well be Premier League bound in the January transfer window. And considering his exciting but yet frightening qualities, he’d be yet another superb and electric addition to the English top flight.
The 21-year-old could have joined Brentford last summer with a deal worth €25million said to be in place, however, the player chose to remain in his native country for the time being. A few months on, with some scintilating performances both at domestic level and in the biggest European stage, the UEFA Champions League, Mudryk’s stock has soared as a result.
According to The Athletic, the Shakhtar wizard is a priority target for Arsenal in January, and sources close to the situation believe that a deal could well materialise very soon. The Ukrainian giants have quoted a figure of around €100million (£85.9m) for Mudryk, with the club CEO stating that if Brazilian winger Antony joined Manchester United for a similar hefty sum, then their most prized asset should cost the same.
However, the Gunners are reportedly looking to drive the price down to secure his signature, but Shakhtar would be forgiven in sticking to their astronomical price tag, considering Mudryk’s stark importance and recent impact before the World Cup break.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a scintilating campaign, registering 10 goals and eight assists from 19 games in all competitions so far, propelling him to become one of Europe’s most devastating young attackers. With Mikel Arteta’s men undergoing a stark renaissance under his stewardship so far, adding the 21-year-old to their ranks in January may just guarantee them a top four finish come May.
But, in order to come to that lofty conclusion, first we must understand who Mudryk is and more crucially what the Ukrainian superstar could bring to the Emirates and the English top flight, should he make the move, as reported.
Who is Mykhailo Mudryk?
Born in a small Ukrainian city southeast of the capital Kyiv, Mudryk took his first steps in football at local club Metalist Kharkiv in 2010. He would go on to remain at the club until 2014 before making a move to FC Dnipro in a bid to enhance his development and youthful experience.
After spending two years at Dnipro, he would then go on to join the prestigious Shakhtar Donetsk academy after they wasted no time in convincing the forward to join their youth ranks in October 2016 following a string of impressive performances at both club and international level for Ukraine’s U15/U16 sides.
Right from the off, it was fairly evident to see that Shakhtar possessed a remarkable burgeoning talent, but also a up and coming superstar. Swiftly rising through the youth system, he was quickly and deservedly promoted to the club’s senior side in 2018, making his debut off the bench on October 31st under then-manager Paulo Fonseca.
Going into 2019, as is the case with most youth players, a decision was needed to ensure that Mudryk’s development did not stall due to limited minutes in the first team; whether continuing to play at U21 level or go out on loan to receive much needed first team opportunities. A loan it would be, as he joined Arsenal Kyiv (making 10 appearances) for the duration of the season, followed by Desna Chernihiv (making 10 appearances) in 2020.
Mudryk would then return to Shakhtar in January 2021, making 3 appearances as the season came to it’s conclusion. Heading into the 2021/22 campaign, Shakhtar appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager; an appointment which proved an absolute masterstroke, not only for the club as a whole but for Mudryk to become a household name in the whole of Ukraine, due to De Zerbi’s propensity to hand youth with vast first team experience.
“If I don’t bring him to a high level, I will consider it a personal defeat”, said the Italian coach with regards to the player’s potential. Over the course of the next couple of months, Mudryk was eased into the team, more often coming on as a substitute.
This was especially true of Champions League matches, playing 178 minutes over 6 games. However, it was in the league where he had more of an influence — scoring 2 goals and providing 7 assists in 11 matches in the first half of the season. (before Russia launched a full-scale invasion against Ukraine)
With the nation’s future in serious jeopardy, football had to be put on pause to ensure the safety of the people, with Mudryk bravely taking a stand for his country, devoting his time to volunteer work. However, the war took a hefty toll on Shakhtar with the club having to lose most of their foreign imports, but with those adversities came more opportunities for Mudryk to thrive upon the return of Ukrainian football.
Since then, the 21-year-old hasn’t looked back becoming the face of Shakhtar and the hope and foundation upon which Ukrainian football can build upon for the future. And since his international bow for his country in May, he’s gone on to make feature in eight games for his country.
What is Mudryk’s style of play?
First and foremost, Mykhailo Mudryk predominately lines-up on the left-flank for both Shakhtar Donetsk and Ukraine, a position he’s held throughout his development from the youth ranks right through to the Donetsk first team, which means his responsibilities at both club and international are to mostly create chances for teammates and score goals.
On the evidence of the past year or so, Mudryk has phenomenally shown that he can both score and assist at a rapid and unbridled rate. And his numbers this season simply paint the whole picture, so far registering 18 goal involvements from 19 games in all competitions for the Ukrainian giants.
Mudryk is a frightening young player, and his goal involvements only tell half the story. Possessing electric, pace and acceleration, dynamic and fearless on the ball and in his 1v1 battles with opposing defenders, the Ukrainian perfectly fits the description of a ‘wing wizard’. A player who can create moments and opportunities for his team in the blink of an eye. A speed and dribbling merchant.
The most impressive thing about Mudryk is how he controls his speed as seen in numerous instances in his highlights below:
Because of his exceptional balance, close control and low sense of gravity, he’s capable of shifting his speed in various instances to fool his marker and leave them in his wake. From fast to slow, back to lightning speed once again.
However, it isn’t just the pace that’s the most telling element, but his movement and the expertness at which he shifts his body positioning in order to evade a number of markers at a time, or to evade tight spaces in order to progress his team up the pitch. Mudryk’s movement is unbelievably deceptive, but incredibly graceful. He’s player you simply cannot take your eyes off. Blink for even a milli-second and you’ll miss a trick or two.
His feet move remarkably quickly — they’re a blur, like something out of DC comic superhero The Flash. The 21-year-old needs very little time to accelerate or change direction with his great balance and intensity. This often leaves defenders either leaving him with too much space to receive the ball and take them on or overcommitting whilst trying to pressure him.
And the numbers back up just how devastating he is in the dribble. Last season, he averaged 3.7 progressive carries per 90 — one of the highest in the Shakhtar side and in the entire Ukrainian First division. He also attempted an average of 10 dribbles per game with a success rate just below 50%; very impressive numbers for any winger. In fact, hi underlying numbers amongst midfielders over the past year make for phenomenal reading. Mudryk ranks in the 95th percentile of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for dribbles completed per 90, and in 98th percentile for goal-creating actions per 90.
Mudryk is far from your traditional winger, only capable of getting to the byline and crossing. The former Dnipro loanee is tactically flexible and positionally excellent too. Knowing when to sit high and wide or dropping into the half spaces in various attacking scenarios.
But one of his calling cards is the timing of his runs into half-spaces when one of his progressive teammates have possession. He is disciplined enough to maintain the true width of the pitch before bursting into open space and latching on to through balls with terrific movement. His exploits off the ball are superb and timely, especially for a player of his young age. Movements are instinctive and second nature, once he sees space to burst into he’ll use to devastating effect, whether his team are in possession or when in transition.
His impressive pace is also a huge asset on the counter, especially as he provides the perfect profile to successfully turn defense into attack at such a frightening speed. When passing angles are blocked, he holds tremendous knowledge on other avenues to exploit such as attacking central spaces.
The £35m-rated wonderkid ranks in the 92nd percentile of midfielders for progressive passes received and in the 93rd percentile for touches in the attacking third per 90 meaning he is amongst the best midfielders on the continent for his threat and ability in attacking areas with which his team regularly looks for him to create opportunities.
In fact, he’s arguably Shakhtar’s most telling threat when it comes to creating chances. Along with his eight assists so far this season, he ranks in the 93rd percentile for expected assists (xA) per90, 98th percentile for assists per 90, and in the 99th percentile for through balls per 90.
Mudryk isn’t a one trick pony, only capable of getting past defenders, but he’s also an influential component when the game slows down, finding the right moments in the half space or out wide to penetrate the opposition defence. But more crucially, when running at full speed, you’d expect most young wingers to hesitate in crucial moments in which an attack breaks down, that isn’t the case for the eight-time Ukrainian international. He’s perfectly capable at picking the right passes even when approaching the attacking areas at full speed.
Not only is there a willingness to ghost past a defender, but to get his head up and look for a teammate too. Indeed, Mudryk is making a modest 0.8 key pass per 90 in the Champions League this season and while it’s a small sample size, it’s a respectable return, especially for a player playing just his second season in Europe’s biggest club competition.
Opponents ae certainly aware he is one of Shakhtar’s primary attacking threats, noted in that he is fouled an average of 1.5 times per 90 in the Champions League this season. Again, it’s a small sample size, but Mudryk is shining in Europe’s elite club competition for a third seed side.
What’s also notable and admirable, considering his huge exploits in attack is that the winger is willing to get stuck in and isn’t just the flashy star of this Shakhtar side. A return of 1.2 tackles per 90 is a notable return for a player in his position, particularly when you consider that Shakhtar rank fifth for tackles per 90 (19.4) in the group stages of the Champions League, with Mudryk working hard for his team.
But, it’d be criminal not to mention his superb exploits at the highest level. Three goals and two assists from six Champions League games is a tremendous return. He is taking the chance when it comes to him. Of the 83 players to have had more than five shots, Mudryk’s conversion rate of 37.5% is the fifth best in the Champions League this season, as per WhoScored.
His goal away to Celtic back in October was simply out of the top draw. Cutting in after a swift break through the Celtic midfield, before unleashing an unstoppable 25-yard drive which ballooned over the despairing Joe Hart and into the top corner. Absolutely ruthless and lethal strike.
Mykhaylo Mudryk has Shakhtar Donetsk level against Celtic.
A superb goal from the Ukrainian who gets his third goal in this season's Champions League group stage. #CELSHA | #UCL
A goal which truly showcases why Mudryk is one of the continent’s most frightening and devastating wingers. He’s a consistent influence in the final third, scoring and an assist at an impressive rate both on the domestic front and at the highest level in Europe. To think, Mudryk was criticised for not scoring enough a few months ago. In October & November alone, the 21-year-old hit eight goals in 12 games, putting all those doubts about his goalscoring to bed.
Mudryk is even drawing several comparisons to many of Europe’s best, in Brazilian forwards Neymar and Vinicius Jr. Darijo Srna, Shakhtar’s sporting director, was recently quoted in saying, “In this position (on the left), he is the third best youngster in the world behind Vinicius and Mbappé. That was my opinion a year ago. I haven’t changed my opinion.”
It is lofty comparison, and praise indeed. However, the hype around the Ukrainian is justified due to his stark progress and development over the past few months.
Forecast for the Future
It’s easy to see why Arsenal are willing to break the bank for Mykhailo Mudryk’s services. His attacking threat would provide Mikel Arteta’s exciting crop with a whole new dimension going forward, especially with star man up front Gabriel Jesus out for the foreseeable future.
How Arteta plans to shape his attack in the Brazilian’s absence will be intriguing to see. Also, can they maintain their tactical dominance over their opponents without their star man up front?
Nonetheless, it leaves the Gunners short in attack, and if they are to maintain their healthy lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League table right beyond January, then they’ll need reinforcements and Mudryk fits the bill. He’d fit right in at the Emirates.
A player willing to learn and improve every day can only further enhance the hunger and drive in Arteta’s young squad, and Mudryk indeed fits that profile. The coaches and teammates who work with him unanimously say that he is fully focused on football; coming to training first and staying to do additional practice after. “I have only one dream that surpasses all others, to become a great football player. I want to win the Ballon d’Or and enjoy football”, said Mudryk. “I must improve a lot of moments because I think I can play better… I’m only at maximum 20 percent of my potential.”
With this mentality and dedication he has displayed in his young career, it’s hard to see why he can’t thrive in England immediately. But more significantly, the atmosphere, vibrancy and mentality currently overwhelming the Arsenal camp right now will be incredibly beneficial for Mudryk to come in and make an immediate impact like summer signings Jesus, fellow countryman Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabio Vieira have achieved.
After 12 long years of build-up, controversy and debate, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is now just days away as 32 nations take centre stage in rather unexpected territory with the global showpiece taking place right in the middle of the 2022/23 campaign.
Nonetheless, it’s football all the same. Questions around some of the competitions best teams are already emerging. Can Brazil end 20 years of hurt? Will Lionel Messi finally lead Argentina to global glory? What about the Cristiano Ronaldo and his own expected last hurrah with Portugal? Have Gareth Southgate’s England got what it takes to finally go all the way?
All the answers to these various question will begin to take shape in the coming weeks, but as the competition kicks off, it’s important and rather intriguing to find out which burgeoning young footballing stars can emerge on the grandest stage.
Playing well at a World Cup can seriously launch a young footballer’s career into the stratosphere.
And amongst the 32 participants, there are some flawless wonderkids who possess the abilities and personality to become future world stars.
#AnthonyScouts has got you covered, so here are 13 exciting under-the-radar footballing talents to watch over the coming weeks:
ENZO FERNANDEZ – ARGENTINA
(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
AGE: 21
CLUB: SL Benfica
POSITION: Centre Midfielder
Argentina has long produced some of the continent’s most established and decorated footballing stars in recent memory, and it’s no surprise to see the South American giants still producing some of the best young and exciting stars for the future.
One player currently turning a whole lot of heads across the continent right now after his recent move from southern half of South America at River Plate, currently being touted as one of the most coveted and exciting young midfielders to emerge from Argentina is Benfica’s Enzo Fernández.
The 21-year-old midfield dynamo has only been in Europe three months, and he’s already making a real splash both in the Portuguese Primeira Liga and the UEFA Champions League, and long may it continue because Enzo Fernandez is certainly on the right path to become one of the most complete midfield weapons of his generation.
Capable of playing in a variety of roles across the midfield either at no.8 (as he was deployed regularly for River Plate), no.6, no.4 and even as a creative and influential no.10, the 21-year-old mixes excellent technical proficiency with tremendous levels of effort, endeavour and application + a highly intelligent tactical understanding to boot.
The £18m-rated midfield dynamo is your perfect archetypal Argentinian midfield player. He is very combative in his midfield duels, protects the space and his backline incredibly well, a wonderful passer of the ball with excellent vision and high levels of accuracy, is very purposeful in his midfield actions and can dribble into dangerous territory or out of it to devastating effect.
If ever there was an archetypal Argentinian midfielder well-versed in battling hard, performing with real technical elegance along with an assuredness and arrogance steeped from the footballing history of such a decorated footballing nation then Fernandez is the perfect embodiment of those characteristics.
For all his good work in deep-lying roles, 2022 has seen Fernández develop into a truly all-round midfielder, adding goals and assists to the less-heralded elements of his game.
So far this season for Benfica, he’s registered three goals and three assists from 22 outings and is already a fully-fledged member of the Argentina senior contingent, so far rewarded with two international caps.
Expect that number to rise over the course of the tournament as the 21-year-old is highly rated by Argentinian coach Lionel Scaloni. Fernandez is already on the radar of several elite clubs across Europe, and the World Cup will provide him with the perfect platform to truly showcase his unique and flawless abilities.
MOISES CAICEDO – ECUADOR
AGE: 21
CLUB: Brighton & Hove Albion
POSITION: Centre Midfield
All was not lost for Brighton & Hove Albion when they lost Yves Bissouma to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window. Due to their excellent and sustainable club model, they’d already possessed a young starlet perfectly capable of filling the Malian’s position and much more.
Step forward the Ecuadorian midfield maestro Moises Caicedo.
So far this campaign, the 21-year-old has become one of the success stories of the Barclays Premier League season. It all started when he bossed the park at Old Trafford in the first game of the season in Brighton’s 2-1 win over Manchester United – a further indication of the prodigious talent Brighton have on their hands in the Ecuador international.
A few months on, and we already looking at one of the potential midfield stars of the future. A player blessed with technical quality and excellence, vision, passing acumen, youthful exuberance and dynamism and a consistency level that well belies his tender age.
Caicedo is an integral component to the Brighton midfield, first under the departed Graham Potter who joined Chelsea and is continuing to excel under the fresh stewardship of talented manager Roberto De Zerbi. If you’re looking for a complete young midfielder to feast your eye on, the 21-year-old maestro is your man.
He’s started in all of Brighton’s 14 Premier League games this season, scoring once, averaging 67.8 touches per game, 1.1 key passes, 1.4 interceptions, an astonishing 3.1 tackles and also winning 57% of his ground duels. In fact, in the English top-flight, he ranks ninth in the whole division for progressive passes (65), eighth for through balls (8), and 6th for tackles (43), forming an incredible and well-rounded partnership with Alexis Mac Allister in the Seagulls midfield.
Caicedo is also a crucial midfield outlet for Ecuador too, establishing himself as a high-level performer across 25 appearances for his country over the past two years, swiftly becoming an integral part of the young side coach Gustavo Alfaro will lead to the World Cup after finishing fourth in South American qualifying with results that included draws against Brazil and current Copa America champions Argentina and a 4-2 victory over Uruguay, who came third. The Santo Domingo-born midfielder already possesses the tools, characteristics and mettle needed to perform and excel on the grandest stage.
Both Manchester United and Liverpool have been linked with his gifted services recently, and his stock and price tag will almost certainly double by the time Ecuador’s World Cup campaign comes to a close.
ILIMAN NDIAYE – SENEGAL
Images/Paul Burrows
AGE: 22
CLUB: Sheffield United
Position: Attacking Midfield/Forward
Senegal will be entering the World Cup this month fresh from their historic African Cup of Nations triumph back in February and arguably one of the most likely African teams to make it to the latter stages. However, those ambitions have taken an unexpected hit with the suspected absence of Sadio Mane who picked up an injury playing for Bayern Munich last week.
Although the former Liverpool man was still called up to be a part of Aliou Cisse’s talented squad, there’s no guarantee the 30-year-old will feature during the tournament which means the Lions of Teranga will be calling upon a new star to guide them in Mane absence and there’s arguably been no attacking player in Cisse’s squad in as good a form as Sheffield United’s unsung hero Ilman Ndiaye who has undergone a remarkable upward trajectory this campaign.
The 22-year-old enjoyed a productive 2021/22 campaign, breaking through into the first team during a 6-2 victory against Peterborough where he grabbed two goals and an assist to ensure everyone at Bramall Lane was paying attention.
He ended the season with seven goals and two assists as Sheffield United fell to Nottingham Forest in the play-off semi-finals. However, this season he’s reached remarkable new heights emerging as a pivotal figure in Paul Heckingbottom’s Blades side. So far this season, the 22-year-old has registered nine goals and two assists in 21 Championship games.
Ndiaye has enjoyed a rather unique journey throughout his career, born in Rouen, France to Senegalese parents, he started his career at Rouen Sapins FC before moving to Rouen. He then spent four years (2010-14) in the Marseille academy before signing with AS Dakar Sacré-Cœur in Senegal. In 2016, Ndiaye signed with Boreham Wood FC where he would stay until 2019 when Sheffield United came calling.
He would spend six months on loan at Hyde United to gain some first-team experience for the latter half of the 2019/20 season. The following season saw then-temporary manager Paul Heckingbottom grant Ndiaye his debut in a heavy 5-0 loss to Leicester City. The rest has become history, becoming a crucial and influential component in Heckingbottom’s 3-5-2 system at Bramall Lane offering great flexibility, attacking variation and dynamism stemming from his versatility in fulfilling a number of positions in attack and his unique tactical understanding that has immediately made him a cult hero in Sheffield.
Ndiaye has formed a devastating attacking partnership with Bramall Lane regular Olie McBurnie in which the duo have already notched 18 Championship goals between them. If Aliou Cisse can provide Ndiaye with similar conditions to thrive, there’s no reason why the one-capped international can become an instant hero on the biggest international stage for Senegal.
XAVI SIMONS – NETHERLANDS
AGE: 19
CLUB: PSV Eindhoven
POSITION: Attacking Midfielder
If you’re an avid follower of football in Europe and all it’s complexities especially within the young and emerging stars department, then you will be fairly familiar with the name Xavi Simons.
The curly-haired and wiry-eyed Dutchman has been a subject of much internet hype in the past, ever since he was a child, playing in Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy, whilst another Xavi, the legendary Spanish midfielder, was still excelling with the club’s senior team.
Developing as a deep-lying midfielder at Barcelona, the Dutchman took the plunge to join French Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 and has not looked back since. He’s only gone and transformed himself into fully burgeoning and decisive creative and attacking outlet, back in his home country Netherlands for PSV Eindhoven, after taking the decision to further enhance his development with more opportunities and exposure in the first team.
Without a single senior international appearance to his name, Simons has still managed to catch the eye of one of football’s most revolutionary coaches in Dutchman and current Netherlands boss Louis Van Gaal, and that is an impressive feat for the incredibly gifted 19-year-old.
To put it simply, Simons deserves the call-up and could almost certainly emerge as one of the world’s hottest footballing properties, if he isn’t already. He’s one of them players that conjures up highlight reels on social media because of his unconventional and unique footballing style. A small, nimble player who loves to get on the ball, even in the most congested of spaces and weave his technical excellence, characteristics he’s crafted at youth level both for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
For PSV, the 19-year-old has been successfully utilised as a ’10’ this season. Though, he’s been tasked in fulfilling a number of roles under the tutelage of footballing legend Ruud Van Nistelrooy, some in central midfield as a ‘free-8’ in a 4-3-3, at times as a false-nine but mostly as a no.10 in a 4-2-3-1 formation, styles heavily utilised and mastered by the likes Van Gaal in the past.
10 goals and three assists at the time of writing, in his first year at senior level, just four months into a season is exceptional reading. In fact, the Dutchman is exceeding expectations. He’s outperforming his xG (expected goals) of 5.4 by 4.5 and also outperforming his xA (expected assists) of 2.1. Meaning, Simons isn’t just getting himself into great positions to score and create, he’s exceeding the goals and assists probability expected of him.
The World is simply his oyster, and to perform at one of football’s most prestigious competitions will only aid Simons’ development even further. He is a talent you cannot afford to miss, providing he gets the opportunity during the tournament.
KAORU MITOMA – JAPAN
AGE: 25
CLUB: Brighton & Hove Albion
POSITION: Winger
Yet another Brighton & Hove Albion employee on this list, and that says a lot about the work going on behind the scenes in the south east of England. Mitoma is the oldest on this list, but he’s a talent who simply cannot go through this football carnival unnoticed.
Japan possess some exciting footballing products in their weaponry right now and Mitoma is arguably the most exciting to watch. He’s picked up form for De Zerbi’s Seagulls at just the right too which means he enters this tournament with some renewed momentum and confidence and that can only do Japan – arguably one of the competition’s most picked dark horses – the world of good.
It’s also vital to mention that Japan are in arguably the most exciting group at the World Cup – Group E – where they will be mixing it with the likes of Spain, Germany and Costa Rica, and that can only provide Mitoma with the ample opportunity and platform to announce himself on the world stage.
The 25-year-old scored his first Seagulls goal in a 3-2 win over Wolves last weekend, before netting again four days later as his side dumped Arsenal out of the Carabao Cup.
Signed in August 2021, the winger has had to wait for his opportunity at the Amex after notching an impressive 30 goals and 20 assists in 62 appearances for J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale.
He was immediately shipped out on loan to Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise for the 2021-22 campaign — a club owned by Brighton chairman Tony Bloom.
Eight goals and four assists in Brussels was enough to convince former manager Graham Potter to keep him around the first team squad. Though, opportunities were hard to come by, but since De Zerbi’s appointment after Potter joined Chelsea, Mitoma has impressively emerged from the shadows.
Since being named in a Premier League XI for the first time against Chelsea last month, Mitoma has not looked back. An electric and rampant display by the Seagulls saw them inflict a 4-1 defeat on Potter’s Blues on the Englishman’s return to the South Coast and Mitoma was heavily influential.
After a bursting onto the scene for Brighton, he’s now adding goals and assists to his game, contributing to three goals (2 goals , 1 assist) since the Chelsea win. Also, Kevin De Bruyne (3.8) has created more chances per 90 minutes in the Premier League than the Japan international (2.9), while only Allan Saint-Maximin (4.06) has completed more take-ons than his 2.61, highlighting his swift impact on De Zerbi’s men.
Incredibly fast, agile, technically gifted and tricky on the ball, Mitoma is an unpredictable outlet for both Brighton and Japan, it’s amazing to think that the 25-year-old was still fighting for a place in his university team during the 2018 World Cup tournament in Russia. Four years on, he could well emerge as one of Japan’s key protagonists in their exciting journey in Qatar.
YUNUS MUSAH – USMNT
AGE: 19
CLUB: Valencia
POSITION: Midfielder/Winger
You can’t form a list of highly coveted young stars to watch out for at a major international tournament without giving the United States of America recognition for their work in moulding some of football’s most hottest young properties.
Coach Gregg Berhalter certainly has a whole host of them in his squad to choose from, but one young man who will be central to his plans in Yunus Musah – a player who could well have been representing England despite being born in New York. The 19-year-old has already made a number bold decisions that has shaped his footballing career till now.
Leaving the Arsenal youth setup to join La Liga outfit Valencia at the age of 16 was one, opting to represent the USA after playing his youth football with England was another one, and looking at his progress right now, those decisions have proven smart and mature choices for a player still developing and plotting his trade at the top level.
Musah used to line up alongside the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Folarin Balogun before opting to leave for Spain and at the La Liga outfit, they believe they have on their books one of the most complete and well-rounded young midfielders on the continent. Ever since he broke into the first team at 17, Musah has gone on to make 82 appearances for Valencia, registering five goals and also more crucially become an important figure for the country of his birth.
“His technical ability is so good,” former USMNT footballer Stuart Holden said of Musah. “He’s a guy that, under pressure, can get out of tight spaces; he has great balance and movement within that; he’s a guy that can link up play and drive the ball forward with his dibbling.”
Indeed, Musah is a technically gifted footballer, but that’s not all, he combines that with stunning tactical understanding, flexible versatility and levels of application that so many of his peers lack, even at the top level. Blossoming at Valencia, he’s emerged as an effective and energetic midfielder disrupter averaging 1.9 tackles per game, and winning 57% of his ground duels whilst also establishing himself as an influential ball-carrier and a calming presence when the ball is at his feet, owing to his capabilities in also playing out wide.
Amongst midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues over the past 365 days, Musah ranks in the 92nd percentile for dribbles completed per 90and in the 99th percentile for shot-creating actions from dribbles per 90. If Musah can add goals and assists to his gifted arsenal, there’s no reason why he can’t become one of the best midfielders of his generation. His country will need him at his influential best during the tournament.
JESPER LINDSTROM – DENMARK
AGE: 22
CLUB: Eintracht Frankfurt
POSITION: Attacking Midfielder
Denmark will gracefully be another of the World Cup’s dark horses akin to their tremendous form over the past year, especially at Euro 2020 last June where they shocked the whole continent reaching the semi-finals especially after the near-fatal incident involving Christian Eriksen during the competition’s group stages. Their performances then transformed perceptions around the whole nation, also turning head coach Kasper Hjulmand into a cult hero and national celebrity.
Now, expectations have risen, especially with Eriksen continuing to be at the forefront of their aspirations after his health scare, excelling tremendously at Manchester United. However, Danish eyes thankfully won’t just be pinned on him during the World Cup. Hjulmand now possesses a whole batch of game changers, none quite as exciting as the swiftly emerging, incredibly and uniquely gifted Eintracht Frankfurt magician Jesper Lindstrøm.
The 22-year-old has been a revelation since his move to the Europa League winners back in July 2021 from Danish side Brøndby IF. He registered five goals and four assists during the 2021/22 campaign, emerging as a burgeoning young talent in German football. So far this campaign, he’s elevated himself to a whole new ceiling so far contributing seven goals in all competitions.
What has stood Lindstrøm out from his peers is his incredible versatility. He predominantly operates as a right-winger. However, he has played on either wing, as a centre-forward and as a 10 for Frankfurt throughout his emergence in Germany. He isn’t your typical winger, getting to the byline and crossing, he’s a player well-versed in locating dangerous pockets between the lines and consistently hurting the opposition through stunning movement and intricate passing techniques.
The former Brøndby IF maestro has also forged his reputation on electric dribbling and tidy footwork. He is excellent at beating defenders, using either a tricky touch or a clever use of his body to mesmerize opponents and create space. These moves allow him to create a high number of chances for his teammates, but so do his clever passes.
He’s also a true goal threat, as shown by his six goals in the Bundesliga so far, but also him ranking in the 78th percentile amongst attacking midfielders/wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for xG (expected goals) per 90 (0.39) and 86th percentile for non-penalty goals xG per 90 (0.39) highlighting how effective and potent he’s become in front of goal. Goals win you games, especially in international tournaments, and Lindstrøm should ultimately prove an effective and decisive presence when Denmark need him most.
He’d be a terrific outlet in the Premier League, so don’t be surprised to see him linked with some English top flight clubs, providing he excels in the coming weeks.
YOUSSOUFA MOUKOKO – GERMANY
AGE: 17
CLUB: Borussia Dortmund
POSITION: Striker
Timo Werner’s injury at RB Leipzig has proven a cruel and crucial blow for Hansi Flick, especially as the Germany head coach has always been a big fan of the former Chelsea forward, even despite his numerous detractors.
However, noises around Werner’s injury haven’t lasted for long, the Germans possess a devastating blend of attacking weaponry in their arsenal including a 17-year-old forward who is simply getting better with every passing week.
Without a senior international cap to his name, Youssoufa Moukoko has proven too hot and too good for Flick to ignore, rewarding him with his first senior call up, not for a meager friendly, no, for an international footballing carnival, the World Cup – the grandest stage in football. A platform Moukoko, despite his tender age simply deserves to grace.
Six goals and four assists in all competitions for the 17-year-old makes for incredible reading, especially considering Borussia Dortmund have been struggling for an accomplished presence up front, since Sebastian Haller’s cancer diagnosis. Moukoko has swiftly come in to the fold, and set the whole of the Bundesliga alight.
No player has reached 10 league goals at a younger age than the 17-year-old. More importantly for both Germany and Dortmund, Moukoko has proven himself a rapidly maturing striker who can make things happen all on his own. The forward’s movement of the ball, work rate, ability to play between the lines, decision-making and devastating finishing levels are unlike many we’ve seen especially amongst players as young as he is.
You know you are a decorated footballing nation when you can call upon talents such as Moukoko to stand-in and replace the likes of Timo Werner. Moukoko may just prove the difference maker for Hansi Flick’s side at the World Cup, who knows, maybe the footballing gods have a script especially tailored for the flawless 17-year-old.
DIOGO COSTA – PORTUGAL
(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
AGE: 23
CLUB: FC Porto
POSITION: Goalkeeper
Another one of the dark horses at this World Cup, even though they can be considered as one of the competition’s favourites. Portugal do in fact enter this winter showpiece possessing one of the most complete and talented squads. And an area which has undergone a stark change in Fernando Santos’ talented group is in between the sticks.
When you’re imminently chosen to replace Rui Patricio as Portugal’s number one goalkeeper, you know you’re a special talent capable of keeping the whole nation’s destiny in your hands, and that man is FC Porto’s tremendous and decorated young goalkeeper Diogo Costa who is enjoying a sensational campaign and is now being considered one of Europe’s best in between the sticks.
Costa is even now drawing favourable comparisons to Vitor Baia, a predecessor with both Porto and Portugal in the 1990s.
His distance kicking, building from the back and ability to be active against crosses are his standard qualities but it is his penalty record that has truly made the 23-year-old a stand out goalkeeper on the continent. It is why Manchester United reportedly want to make Costa their number one goalkeeper to replace David De Gea for the long term.
Last month Costa became the first goalkeeper since Opta began in the 2002/3 campaign, to save three penalties in a single Champions League season.
3 – Porto's Diogo Costa is the first goalkeeper on record to save three penalties in a single UEFA Champions League campaign (2003-04 onwards). Obstruction. pic.twitter.com/aV2GsEOimu
Also, the opposition have only scored 15 of the 26 penalties he has faced in his senior career. The average penalty conversion rate is around 76 per cent, but it is only 57 per cent against Costa.
In his seven caps for Portugal, the Porto shot stopper has conceded just three goals. At the age of just 23, Portugal possess a goalkeeper they can rely on for the next 10-15 years, who knows he may be the one that finally hands them a World Cup gong.
MOHAMMED KUDUS – GHANA
AGE: 22
CLUB: Ajax
POSITION: Attacking Midfielder
After a dreadful African Cup of Nations campaign where Ghana were knocked out in the group stages after losing two of their three games and drawing the other, the Black Stars will be hoping they can provide their nation with some pride at the World Cup.
In all fairness head coach Otto Addo has been dealt a tough hand, where they will meet Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay in Group H – one of the more exciting groups in the whole competition. Ghana head into the tournament the least likely to make it out an incredibly difficult group, but this is tournament football. Anything can happen.
In order for the Black Stars to both impress, and possibly cause a World Cup fairytale upset as they did in South Africa 2010, they will certainly need their most talented stars out on the pitch. Something they failed to do back in February at AFCON. One man missing from that competition and is arguably their most in form player in the lead up to the tournament is Ajax’ Mohammed Kudus.
The 22-year-old attacker has enjoyed a sensational start to the 2022/23 campaign, registering 10 goals and 2 assists in all competitions for the Dutch giants. Kudus also has five goals and three assists in his 18 caps, and is a graduate of Ghana’s famous Right To Dream academy.
While Kudus is predominantly an attacking midfielder, he’s featured as a very influential and tactically masterful false-nine in Alfred Schreuder’s Ajax side, taking an average of 1.8 shots, making 0.5 key passes and completing 1.6 successful dribbles per game.
His ability to drop into dangerous pockets of space, link play but also be a threat in behind opposition defences makes him a unique commodity in the Black Stars setup, and there is an argument to be made that Addo surely has to build his team around the qualities of the 22-year-old maestro. He is their most in-form player heading into the tournament, and is certainly the one to watch alongside Kamaldeen Sulemana.
NICO WILLIAMS – SPAIN
(Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
AGE: 20
CLUB: Athletico Bilbao
POSITION: Winger
While his older brother has chosen to represent Ghana in Qatar, Nico Williams could argue that he could be the one spending the longest time on the World’s most prestigious stage and is the more likely to create history.
The two Williams brothers will both represent their countries at the World Cup in Qatar:
And that is not only down to the qualities Luis Enrique possesses in his Spanish armada but also down to the wonderful and exciting footballing gifts that the 20-year-old harnesses.
Williams has enjoyed a stunning season so far at Athletico Bilbao in the Spanish top-flight, registering three goals and three assists in what is his breakthrough campaign as a senior player.
And amongst Enrique’s quality arsenal, Williams possesses a talent that is unlike the rest.
The 20-year-old is certainly one to watch because of his amazing trickery, speed, acceleration, his ability to weave past defenders most especially in 1v1 duels.
Williams so far this season is averaging 1.4 key passes per game, and has created two big chances. He isn’t just a dribble merchant, but a player capable of beating his man and also providing the telling passes, qualities which may prove crucial for Spain as they attempt to breach and disrupt low blocks against their possession-based style.
YOUSSOUF FOFANA – FRANCE
AGE: 23
CLUB: AS Monaco
POSITION: Defensive Midfield
World Cup holders France may well be without Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante for this winters tournament, but Didier Deschamps and his side are very much in safe hands in midfield.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga are both catching the eye at Real Madrid this season, but it’s another midfield player that could prove crucial to France’s chances and is arguably the younger version of the legend that is Kante, and that man is AS Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana.
The hard-working and swash-buckling 23-year-old formed an effective engine-room duo with Tchouameni at Monaco last term and has shown promising signs in his two international appearances so far that he could be the man to fill the huge gaping void created by Kante’s absence.
Born in Paris, Fofana like so many of his peers broke free from the struggles to make an impression at Paris Saint-Germain, in order to hone his craft and trade elsewhere.
After being released by the national academy at Clairefontaine aged 13, he bounced around clubs both at Red Star FC and JA Drancy before being picked up by RC Strasbourg Alsace in 2017. Le Racing handed him his Ligue 1 Uber Eats debut a year later, in a 1-0 win over FC Metz.
After an impressive season-and-a-half in the Strasbourg first team, Monaco snapped him up in January 2020, signing both Fofana and Tchouaméni from Strasbourg and Girondins de Bordeaux respectively for a combined €35m, and the pair quickly formed one of the most formidable midfield partnerships in France.
Fofana made his international bow against Austria in September, and did not look out of place, expertly breaking up play with such sublime aggression, and assuredness whilst also providing a valuable and influential source in France’s build-up play. The 23-year-old is a midfield freight-train, powerfully built and capable of fulfilling a number of roles in midfield; as a dynamic box-to-box presence as well as a destructive defensive midfielder.
On his France debut, he impressively won 12 out of his 14 duels, showcasing his tremendous qualities to break up opposition attacks, something Kante has forged his reputation on. He’s averaged 0.9 interceptions, and 2.6 tackles per game for Monaco so far this season, but also holds the qualities to provide for his teammates in possession averaging 0.7 key passes and creating two big chances. During the 2021/22 campaign, he provided the fourth most through balls (19) of any player in Ligue 1.
Kante’s absence is a cruel blow for the French, but they needn’t worry as they possess a ready-made replacement in Youssouf Fofana.
ANTONIO SILVA – PORTUGAL
AGE: 19
CLUB: Benfica
POSITION: Centre-Back
Wonderkid defender Antonio Silva has swiftly gone from making his first team debut for Portuguese giants Benfica in August to becoming one of the most sought-after centre-backs on the continent, in just a matter of months.
His deserved call-up to Portugal’s squad is a just reward for his tremendous performances and the maturity and consistency he’s exerted ever since his first professional appearance for Benfica.
Standing at 6’2” (188cm), Silva possesses a searing physical presence especially for his tender age, and he uses it incredibly to his advantage, winning many of his aerial duels and physical battles with strikers.
Perhaps his best attributes, though, are ones tied with most modern day centre-backs.
His anticipation of when to step in and make a challenge or interception is outstanding for a player of his age, and during the early weeks of his first-team career he has regularly snuffed out attacks with well-time interventions.
He is also extremely comfortable when in possession, with his mid-to-long passing ability a real standout part of his game.
Silva has so far featured in 10 of Benfica’s 13 Liga Nos games and in all six of their Champions League group stage already highlighting just how crucial he is to the The Eagles, even though he’s only been apart of the squad for all of just four months.
Picking up an impressive SofaScore rating of 7.45, he’s bagged two league goals, successfully completed 92% of his passes, contributed to five clean sheets, averaging 1.7 interceptions, and 2.0 tackles per game. As mentioned previously, Silva is a dominant presence in the air, winning an astonishing 72% of his aerial duels at a rate 2.3 duels per game.
The 19-year-old who has been linked with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Liverpool following a series of matured and dominant performances against the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus in this season’s UEFA Champions League, could well force his way into Fernando Santos’ Portugal XI during the tournament, and with Pepe not getting any younger, Seleção have already found his heir apparent in the Benfica academy product.
ZENO DEBAST – BELGIUM
AGE: 19
CLUB: R.S.C Anderlecht
POSITION: Centre-Back
If you’re frequent watchers of the Belgian international team, we can almost predict that you’ve grown tired of constantly seeing the likes of Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Dedryck Boyata lining up in Roberto Martinez’ three-man defence.
Isn’t time they finally move on from the so-called Golden Generation? Out with the old and in with the new? Well, if you’ve ever doubted whether Belgium have any heirs in their centre-back pool, then you’re totally wrong.
We’ve got to give an honorable mention to Leicester City’s Wout Faes who has taken to the rigors of Premier League like a duck to water since his move to the King Power from Stade Reims over the summer, and he will certainly become a prominent figure for Belgium, hopefully at this tournament, and certainly beyond.
And there’s another talented and gifted young diamond in the Belgium centre-back talent pool and that’s Anderlecht’s 19-year-old rock Zeno Debast. Highly regarded and a much publicized wonderkid in Belgium, Debast was rewarded for his phenomenal performances for Anderlecht with a dream call-up to the World Cup squad, and there’s no doubt that Debast won’t be around to just fill the quota in Martinez’ 26-man squad.
Born in Halle to a football-mad family, with both his parents playing to a decent level, he joined the Anderlecht academy at the age of six.
A boyhood fan of the Purple and White, Debast was often initially deployed as an attacking midfielder, not least because of his diminutive stature.
It was not until 2019, when Debast, in the midst of a growth spurt, was moved back into defence, and he hasn’t looked back since.
He made his first-team debut for Anderlecht in May 2021, and followed that up with six further appearances over the next 12 months as Vincent Kompany slowly introduced him into the senior ranks.
Incredibly robust, mobile and very adept and progressive on the ball, owing to his past life as a creative midfielder. He possesses a superb range of passing, and can regularly be seen pinging balls across the pitch in a bid to launch Anderlecht attacks.
He is also a confident dribbler, and more often than not finds himself carrying the ball over the halfway line and even into the final third when given space to drive forward by the opposition. Debast is also incredibly skillful too. Standing at 6’2 (189cm), he is adept in the air and has shown enough in his short career to suggest that he is not shy of a tackle either.
Having learned under Kompany at Anderlecht, it is perhaps fitting that Debast has been tipped to become the next great Belgian defender, and he certainly has that in his locker. The future is in fact bright in the Belgium defence.
JEWISON BENNETTE – COSTA RICA
AGE: 18
CLUB: Sunderland
POSITION: Winger
The youngest player to ever represent Costa Rica having made his international debut in August 2021, Bennette has already earned himself some European recognition after his move to Sky Bet Championship side Sunderland over the summer.
The 18-year-old will be looking to announce himself on the world stage for Costa Rica, and he’ll be given the perfect World Cup platform to do just that with his country placed in the same group as Spain, Germany and Japan.
Bennette has made an encouraging start to his Sunderland career in the Championship and his form heading into the tournament has been promising too. He provided the assist for Joel Campbell to score the goal that sealed their place in Qatar during their play-off win over New Zealand, before bagging the first international goals of his career with a brace against South Korea in September.
Bennette is certainly one of the most promising teenagers to watch at the tournament.
Austrian giants Salzburg, in its current capacity under Red Bull ownership, is only 16 years old and yet the club has consistently spilled out some of the world’s most flawless young talents over the past decade.
Erling Haaland, Sadio Mane, Kevin Kampl, Naby Keita, Dayot Upamecano and so many others have passed through the Salzburg system and now their current side is about to propel several players onto the radar of many across the globe.
One player that is still in his infancy is Benjamin Šeško, one of the club’s most promising attacking players under the age of 20.
The Slovenian had to wait for his chance to secure his spot for Salzburg having spent two seasons on loan at FC Liefering, and even then Sesko struggled for regular minutes.
As such, Sesko scored just five goals across 24 appearances, largely playing second fiddle to Karim Adeyemi and Noah Okafor, but the former’s move to Borussia Dortmund this summer means the teenager has been handed the chance to consolidate a starting spot and he’s took the opportunity with both hands as he netted the opener in Salzburg’s opening day 3-0 win over Austria Wien last week.
However, he won’t be a Salzburg player for too long, with sister-club RB Leipzig securing his services for the 2023/24 campaign and beyond for a fee of around £55million.
The 19-year old, who had been targeted by Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle throughout the summer, will stay at Salzburg on loan for the season before joining Leipzig next summer.
The Slovenian international has signed a five-year contract until 2028 at the Red Bull Arena.
So who is he, and what could he bring to the German Bundesliga?
Who is Benjamin Šeško?
Born in Radeče, Slovenia, Šeško began his youth career at his local side Radece before landing with several other sides in his native country.
In 2019, he joined Red Bull Salzburg and spent time with the club’s reserve side FC Liefering, where he began to shine over several seasons.
While his first season at Liefering wasn’t particularly special, his second season there was fantastic as he registered 21 goals in 29 appearances.
He returned to Salzburg last summer and he managed 11 goals and 7 assists in 37 games in all competitions last season.
He’s begun the 2022/23 brilliantly, though notching 4 goals in pre-season including two against Ajax and Liverpool and has already opened his account in the Austrian League after only two games.
Eligible for Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (due to his mother hailing from Doboj), Šeško opted for the former, having represented the country at the under-15, under-16, under-17, and under-19 levels.
In May 2021, the forward was called up to the senior team manager Matjaž Kek for a pair of friendlies. He debuted for Slovenia in a 1–1 friendly tie with North Macedonia the following month at the age of 18 years of age and 1 day old, the youngest debutant in the national team, surpassing the previous record set by Petar Stojanović seven years earlier.
He notched his first goal for his country in October 2021 in a World Cip qualification match against Malta becoming Slovenia’s youngest ever goalscorer at the age of 18 years, 4 months and 8 days.
Šeško has been likened to Haaland because of his elite combination of size, a 6’4″ frame, and pace.
“My team-mates at the club tell me that Haaland and I are very similar, especially in terms of speed,” Šeško said. “Most of them even tell me that I’m better than him.”
Obviously that’s a very glowing endorsement from his teammates considering what Haaland is accomplishing at such a young age, but anyone that watches Šeško recognizes his athleticism and application is elite and if given the opportunity he could truly evolve into one of Europe’s best strikers like his predecessor.
So how good is Benjamin Šeško?
When feasting your eyes on the Slovenian hitman, one striking element of his is his sheer size and imposing figure, standing at 6’4″. He is capable of towering over his markers and he uses his powerful build to get the better of defenders.
And like Haaland, despite his stature, the teenager has ample pace to either drive past opponents or time his runs to perfection in his quest for goal – he’s tall, long, quick for his size and their movement styles are strangely similar, with gangly arms and lengthy strides. His timely runs can be to either capitalise on parried shots on goal or if he does hang off the shoulder of the last defender, to beat the offside trap.
At just 19 years of age, and without top level European experience under his belt yet, Šeško possesses the ingredients, know-how and attributes needed to morph into a well-rounded complete centre forward in no time at all.
Capable of finishing well with either his right or left foot, the two-footedness to his game means he can at times prove difficult to read for defenders.
This quality has helped raise Šeško’s profile considerably and when you take into account only eight players scored in excess of five goals with their right foot and their left foot in Europe’s top five leagues last season, it’s a desired attribute in the modern game, and it’s shown that most of the top-level forwards in the game right now possess such a key characteristic, so Šeško is well on the right path to European stardom.
Šeško is also a solid aerial threat inside the opposition area, so seems the archetypal battering ram of a frontman.
A striker who is physically strong, tall, possesses a real presence in the box but also holds the capabilities to link effectively with his fellow attacking outlets are of high demand in the modern game and Šeško impressively fits the mould.
The role of a striker has tremendously evolved in recent years, with managers no longer desiring a sole penalty box predator – unless you’re Robert Lewandowski of course – but a frontman capable of becoming crucially involved and influential in an around the final third.
The Slovenian’s link-up play and off-the-ball movement is a huge asset in his game. As he’s 6’’4, it’s not surprising that he’s very good aerially making him a threat in the opposition’s box from crosses and set pieces. Despite being so tall, Šeško also possesses incredible pace. His pace as well as strength and skillfulness make him a nightmare for any defender to play against.
The youngster is able to find pockets of space between the defence and midfield that enables him to link up play in attack. He can then use his strength to hold off pressure from markers and allow those in support to make runs in behind, maximizing the space he has worked in the process.
Šeško would be an absolute dream for attacking midfielders and wingers, due to his unique nous of running beyond defensive lines, latching on to through balls through his searing speed and acceleration, and more importantly his off-the-ball movement.
The 19-year-old is also very good at exploiting space. His high-end speed enables him to attack weak areas of opposition defences, especially when on the counter attack, leaving defenders in his wake. While he is quite skilled at carrying possession, most of his best in these transitional situations are done when latching on to the end of passes, not in possession.
He is also a threat in the air, combining his sheer size and leap with good timing and technique to consistently redirect crosses towards goal – albeit by darting across a centre-back or competing from a standing leap. He is yet to find that clinical edge as a finisher, like Haaland has always possessed.
Last season, the Austria international finished the season with five goals and three assists. However, this season he started the fastest out of the blocks.
He bagged in their opening league game of the season and has gone on to bag four goals in nine league starts at the time of writing. He appears to improve game upon game, with his ceiling seemingly growing as the seasons’ progress.
Šeško is known to be prone to snatching at chances, despite striking the ball well, his finishing is rushed at times and would need development, but at the tender age of 19, those raw tendencies will be ironed out with more maturity, time, top-level coaching and of course more exposure to first team action at the elite level.
Though, his finishing qualities was clearly evident in his recent goal for Slovenia in the UEFA Nations League during the September internationals where he became an instant internet sensation, hitting a first time volley from an impossible angle with stunning precision following such fine and predatory movement.
As expected, interest in Šeško has risen tremendously in recent months, with Manchester United recently amongst those keenest on the Slovenia international. However, it is RB Leipzig who have managed to tickle his fancy as the club he wants to join and continue his fine development, taking on a similar route to one of his Salzburg predecessor in Erling Haaland.
The 19-year-old is the perfect signing for both parties with the Germans acquiring a striker who they could mould into a world beater, and Šeško joining a side he can gain much better recognition and platform that he is getting in Austria.
The forward has also been lauded as a “generational talent” by journalist Ryan Taylor, and it is easy to see why clubs such Manchester United, Newcastle United and Chelsea were all linked with his services in the past.
Given his high ceiling and unique style of play, Šeško seems the perfect calibre of forward to adjust seamlessly and thrive in the German Bundesliga.
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