Arsenal’s 0-0 draw against Leeds on Matchday 9 drove a few home truths for boss Mikel Arteta as he aims to rebuild at the Emirates Stadium and lead Arsenal into a new dynasty.

Not only did Arsenal ride their luck with Leeds hitting the woodwork on three occasions, but it was a game which exposed the frailties that Mikel Arteta currently has within his attack, most notably in the creative department.

In comparison to Leeds’ 25 shots on goal, Arsenal only recorded 9, with two on target. It was a game in which Arsenal yet again failed to create any real openings to win the match. Arteta sprung a few tactical tweaks such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang starting up-front but to no avail with the Gabon international only recording just the single shot on target.

If Arsenal are to get back to scoring ways, they need to get their main man firing again, but that also means the players around him must improve their efficiency and cutting edge in the final third.

Aubameyang hasn’t scored from open play since his well-worked team goal against Fulham on the opening day, but the support and quality of chances created for him has been threadbare, lackluster but also non-existent.

The majority of the Arsenal faithful are still miffed as to Mesut Ozil’s absence from the squad, seeing as he is arguably Arsenal’s most creative contingent.

What’s also causing Arteta to lose sleep is that his side’s struggles in front of goal this season, they’ve only scored just 10. The draw at Elland Road made it 500 minutes without a goal from open play, a poor stat considering the quality Mikel Arteta holds in his attacking weaponry.

But its not enough. Arsenal need solutions, and fast.

With the January window yet to open for another month, Mikel Arteta will surely be planning ahead, identifying the players who could ignite the fire in Arsenal’s attacking play.

Arsenal have already been linked with a number of players so far, but here’s three options Arteta should seriously consider recruiting in the immediate future:

Dominik Szoboszlai

A player who’s name has been shepherded all around Europe right now, and rightly so. Hungarian international Dominik Szoboszlai is a player blessed with such tremendous skill, technical acumen and a range of qualities marking him as the perfect candidate to the fill the creative void at the Emirates.

So far this season, Szoboszlai has provided the highlight reels for both club and country, and few will have noticed his thunderous strike for Hungary in the UEFA Nations League tie against Iceland, a long-range rocket in the Champions League against Lokomotiv Moscow and a peach of a strike against Atletico Madrid.

https://twitter.com/bhavss14/status/1329043439296589825

RB Salzburg Jesse Marsch has already admitted he could lose his star name in the upcoming January transfer window, and if the 20-year-old carries on in this vein of form, then there’s no reason why he can’t join his former teammates Erling Braut Haaland and Takumi Minamino amongst Europe’s elite.

Szoboszlai’s current contract at Salzburg reportedly holds a release clause of 25m euros (£22.5m), a relatively cheap fee for a player with such unique qualities. Arsenal should jump at that price in January.

Szoboszlai holds all the characteristics needed to thrive in the Premier League. Most of all, his application, attitude and hard-work have been a real feature of his game so far this season. But we also know his technical qualities: a player who works best with the ball at his feet.

Whether lining up on the left of midfield, at no.10 or as a free-roaming no.8, Szoboszlai is a magician in possession. His tendency to roam inside, and pick up smart positions between the lines, from there, orchestrating intricate, incisive, and disguised through balls, accurate switches of play, and driving runs from deep all cause huge issues for opposition defences. He’s already got 5 assists to his name in 8 games in the Austrian Bundesliga, signs of a player well-versed in the art of creating opportunities.

Arsenal don’t currently possess a player with such characteristics, someone who can take risks, operating in tight areas or even having a pop at goal from awkward positions, these are regular features of Szoboszlai’s game.

The Hungarian is also a set-piece master from free-kicks and corners, always willing to put some whip, pace and cutting-edge into his set-pieces.

At 20-years-old, Dominik Szoboszlai isn’t showing any real signs of weakness, and he is currently one of the most renowned midfielders in Europe. If Arsenal are serious about solving their creative deficiencies, then Dominik Szoboszlai is the perfect candidate to drive them forward.

Houssem Aouar

Arsenal came close to signing Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar in the summer window, only for the French club to decide at the last minute that they weren’t willing to sell.

However, that looks like its going to change some time soon with the talented French international the subject of some disciplinary issues so far this campaign.

🚨 | Houssem Aouar has been punished by Sporting Director Juninho for not wanting to train after not coming on vs Angers at the weekend – he will not be in the squad this weekend vs Reims, according to L'Équipe du Soir. https://t.co/gmUbvA442Q

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) November 26, 2020

It’s clear Aouar no longer wants to be at the club, but his lack of professionalism could scupper a future move away, however Arsenal are desperate and an injection in midfield is significantly required.

Houssem Aouar represents the kind of addition, many of the elite sides in Europe would kill for.

Aouar is a meticulous ball-player, harnessing the uniqueness of when to hold on to the ball, and when to release it. His amazing sense of gravity and close control means its difficult for his markers to have an understanding of where he’s going or when to dispossess him.

The midfielder also holds such fantastic spatial awareness and capacity to switch directions in an instant. If he finds there’s nowhere to go when dribbling, he’ll instantly change direction with a swift drop of the shoulder and such crisp close control.

Whenever, the ball is at Aouar’s feet, his teammates know something special is about to happen especially within the attacking third. Per 90 last season he averaged 5.32 passes into the final third. Stats serving as a true indication as to his incredible expertise in creating chances, further shown through his 3.04 shot-creating actions too.

Despite his minor disciplinary issues this season, he’s still sprung up impressive numbers. He’s played 8 Ligue 1 games, scoring twice and registering an assist, but its his more detailed stats that has highlighted his work both on and off the ball:

As soon as he picks up the ball, he already has a picture of what he’s going to do, whether to dribble past opponents, or dissect an eye of the needle pass to his forwards. No matter the amount of opponents around him, Aouar holds the balance, silky footwork and quickness of thought required to conjure up magic despite being under pressure.

His ball-carrying capabilities could prove vital to Arsenal’s system, allowing them to get out of trouble but most importantly in creating opportunities and openings in the final third.

Aouar has managed 362 yard progressive runs per 90, as well as averaging 2.40 successful dribbles this season. Also, his shot-creating average has improved vastly from last seasons record of 3.13 in Ligue 1 highlighting his stark growth when building attacks.

Houssem Aouar is a meticulous and imaginative number 8, and if 4-3-3 really is Arteta’s preferred formation once he does improve on his creative outlets them the French international could potentially fit in seamlessly:

Odsonne Edouard

Odsonne Edouard is a player on his way to international stardom. A move to the Premier League is certainly on the horizon for the French under-21 international and there’s no reason why he can’t join Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal revolution.

The Celtic no.9 could be the face of the new dynasty, the key ingredient in the jigsaw and the perfect already-made replacement for Aubameyang when he starts to wane. Odsonne Edouard is a uniquely gifted forward, a player who is set apart from the rest. He isn’t your traditional striker, one who is well-versed at holding up the ball, bringing his fellow teammates into play as well as finding the back of the net.

Despite the latter being remarkable feature of Edouard’s game, he is in fact a no.9 and a no.10 all rolled into one, and his stats for Celtic certainly paint that picture. Already this season, he’s got eight goals to his name in 15 outings. Five in the Scottish Premiership, and three in Europe.

But there’s more to Edouard than just his goals, he is Celtic’s creator-in chief, a player built for the sheer differentiating responsibilities at his disposal and a player certainly well deserving of the role. Edouard is an elegant, multi-functional player.

The Frenchman oozes confidence, and quality when he steps on the pitch. Up-front maybe his natural position, but his contributions and influence in attack run deeper than that.

He loves to drop into the half-space to exchange passes before moving into spaces vacated by the defence. While its so effective and complimentary of Celtic’s attacking play, it is also bamboozling for opposing defenders, they are often left confused as to who to pick up.

Edouard’s dribbling abilities emerge from his South American roots. He is rarely exuberant or the showboating type with it, but he exhibits an effective use of his control in tight spaces and a technique which few players in the Scottish division can match. It’s abilities such as this, and his fantastic movement, link-up play that makes him such a dangerous commodity within the final third.

This season, he has come in for some criticism and made a scapegoat for Celtic’s poor form so far, but the fact that’s he still a couple hits from reaching double figures tells you all you need to know about his qualities in front of goal. He is also the French Under-21 all-time top scorer, a remarkable feat for the forward.

https://twitter.com/thebhoysnoise/status/1328844550836719622

There is the odd talk of him leaving in the close future but with no disrespect to the Scottish Premiership, Odsonne Edouard has already outgrown the whole division, into his fifth season at the club. The Frenchman is a remarkably talented prospect, a complete centre-forward boasting all the attributes needed to thrive at the top level.

The Frenchman will certainly have a lot of suitors but he’d represent a fantastic addition to the Arsenal setup. He’s young, skillful, vibrant, hard-working and a humble character as well as his unique abilities on the pitch. Don’t think Arteta needs any more reasons to jump at the chance in recruiting him at the Emirates.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Since joining Man Utd, Fred has made more ball recoveries per 90 in the Premier League than any other outfield player with 900+ minutes.

You’ll get tired just looking at his defensive coverage. 😰 pic.twitter.com/ydzG48luOB

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 1, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fred is amongst the most intense pressers in Europe this season #mulive [@GoalAnalysis] pic.twitter.com/l4fSgYGMXm

— utdreport (@utdreport) November 9, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

James Ward-Prowse has scored 𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 direct free-kick goals for @SouthamptonFC in the #PL, making club history 🎯

All the MW7 stats ➡️ https://t.co/KdOLvGGF5x pic.twitter.com/4YmkQzg3Z5

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 3, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ralph Hasenhüttl praises his club captain

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

👉Jamie Shackleton

What a performance👏👏

It will be difficult to hold him out of the team after this game. He was outstanding💪💪

— EllandRoadHQ (@EllandRoadHQ) October 23, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BREAKING: West Ham have completed the signing of midfielder Said Benrahma from Brentford on a season-long loan ⚒️

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 16, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OFFICIAL: USMNT full-back Sergino Dest joins Barcelona from Ajax 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/0owpoHM4rZ

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 1, 2020

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

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

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

Who is Sergiño Dest?

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

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

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

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

How has Sergiño Dest emerged on the scene?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What does the future hold for Sergiño Dest?

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

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

📸 | Sergino Dest in the Camp Nou dressing room.🔥🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/JPrIMfUX4X

— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) October 1, 2020

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

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

Leicester City completed the signing of Wesley Fofana from St Etienne for a fee that could rise to £30m on a five-year deal.

🔵 #WelcomeWesley 🔵 pic.twitter.com/yESfJM80f5

— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 2, 2020

Saint-Etienne confirmed the deal as the largest transfer fee they have ever received for a player and that the uncertain economic environment caused by the coronavirus pandemic was a major factor in accepting the bid for the teenager.

Fofana, who made 24 appearances for St Etienne in a remarkable breakthrough campaign last year, has been vocal on social media of his desire to move to the Barclays Premier League, and follow his former teammate and Arsenal defender William Saliba to England.

Wesley Fofana is a player with tremendous defensive abilities, and its no surprise a number of clubs around Europe all made their interest in his services known. Now with Leicester City securing the deal, Brendan Rodgers possesses a fine blend of defensive qualities, one which stand him in good stead for a very bright future.

Speaking to Rodgers on #ssn shortly, but everyone I speak to about Fofana is excited. Other options of Tarkowski and Tah – Fofana was always the one #lcfc wanted. Pace, mobility, game intelligence – a real prospect. That’s why they were prepared to pay up to £30m for a 19-yr-old.

— Rob Dorsett (@RobDorsettSky) October 2, 2020

The 19-year-old follows in a long line of remarkably gifted young French defenders, and at a tender age, is arguably ready to make the step up to the English top-flight.

So who is Wesley Fofana, how has he progressed at Saint-Etienne, and what does the future hold for Fofana at the King Power?

Who is Wesley Fofana?

Born in Marseille, France, Wesley Fofana is of Malian descent.

After having various stints in youth clubs around the suburbs of Marseille, Fofana joined the Saint-Etienne academy in 2015, before signing his first professional contract in May 2018, at the age of 17.

He would then have to wait a whole year to make his debut, a year which proved its worth in the end. His first Ligue 1 appearance came against Nice, in a comfortable 3-0 victory in May 2019, coming on as a substitute for Pierre-Yves Polomat.

The beginning of the 2019/20 campaign saw Wesley Fofana spend time on the subs bench, but his fortunes dramatically changed in November when Saint-Etienne played Monaco at the Geoffrey Stadium. Fofana helped secure an impressive, hard-fought 1-0 victory with the defender putting in a commanding and assured performance on the right side of the back three.

Since his introduction, Wesley Fofana hasn’t looked back, staking a claim for a permanent position in Claude Puel’s side, and furthering his spectacular development. At 19-years of a age, Fofana is one of the first names on the team sheet, showing his suitability and brilliant adaptation both in a back three and in a back four.

Now approaching his second full season as a senior footballer, Fofana already has a whole host of clubs around Europe eyeing up his services, but how has he got to this point?

Fofana’s Style of Play

As stated previously, Wesley Fofana is a defender with such tremendous qualities, especially for a player of his tender years. The 2019/20 campaign was his first as a senior professional at Saint-Etienne and must be taken into consideration when analyzing not just his growth, but the rawness in his game. However, Fofana can offer so much to Brendan Rodgers at the King Power once he fully beds in, whether that’s in the next few months or towards the end of the current campaign.

In the modern era, young defenders aren’t really given the opportunities unless they’ve seriously managed to raise a few eyebrows both at club level and at international level. Wesley Fofana has already reached domestic acclaim without any international experience, even at any youth level.

The French wonderkid holds the sort of qualities every manager desires in a central defender, especially in an era such as now. Speed, strength, a decent reading of the game, aerial ability and also the commonly demanded trait of holding the ability to distribute play from defence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPyzvbS3DV0

The 19-year-old is a real front foot defender, using his pace, size and athletic ability to defend at all costs. For a player as young as he is, his concentration levels and reading of the game is nothing short of spectacular. When he spots an onrushing attacker, he regularly tends to keep a real close eye on the ball before engaging his man to such dominant effect. Fofana’s 1v1 defending is brilliant.

If you need any witnesses to his abilities, just ask Neymar who fell victim to Fofana’s dominant defending when PSG and Saint-Etienne met a few months back in the French Cup final, with the Champions League finalists only scraping a 1-0 victory. The defender all throughout the game, showed the kind of maturity and performance levels that many defenders his age could only dream of.

The reason they didn’t concede more goals was down to Fofana, who finished the game with four clearances and six interceptions without being dribbled past once. His performance reassured the Saint-Etienne fanbase that, despite William Saliba heading to Arsenal and despite their veteran Perrin retiring, they had a defensive leader they could rely on.

Pit him up against a quick and skillful winger, you can almost bet your mortgage that Fofana holds the requisite ability and defensive nous to match his man for pace and bring the attack to a halt. The young defender also has a brilliant knack of engaging and immediately stopping a striker who has his back to goal. As soon as his marker receives it, he’s there within an instant to either stand them up, or nick the ball off them without the striker knowing.

Fofana is also brilliant aerially, using his strong athletic presence and superb leap to overpower his markers and win the header, he won 76% of his aerial duels last season, putting him amongst the top 100 in the percentile rank. 5.10 aerial duels won per 90 is simply superb, lending to his towering presence and strong build even at the tender age of 19. Fofana is a player built for the big occasion.

St Etienne confirm deal agreed with Leicester for Wesley Fofana. Another very good deal for The Foxes. They didn't just beat West Ham, but a lot of clubs around Europe to land the French defensive starlet. https://t.co/gEymMplLni

— Graeme Bailey (@GraemeBailey) September 29, 2020

Per 90 minutes last season, Fofana recorded on average 1.13 tackles won, 2.75 interceptions. While Fofana doesn’t usually overcommit, there are moments in his games that remind you that he’s only played 27 matches at the top level, 24 of those being starts. Nevertheless, this will improve as he gains more experience. He also averaged 6.81 clearances and 1.63 blocks per 90 in Ligue 1 last season, highlighting his front-foot nature and ‘defend at all costs mentality’.

Another unique aspect of Fofana’s game, and one that is pretty much expected in a modern day centre-back is his ability in possession. 19-year-old is a good passer of the ball, but at times when pressured by an opponent, he does tend to hesitate which means his side loses the opportunity to build an attack efficiently.

He’ll sometimes take a poor touch, and drive backwards and distribute to his keeper. He does have the ability to distribute play or drive out with the ball, but his lack of concentration in that sense costs him at times. It is something he’ll need to work on and refine, he’s only 19 and that part of his game will get better with age, and more quality coaching.

Forecast for the future

Wesley Fofana holds such a massive future. The mistakes stated previously are of course down to his youthful naivety, but as unconventional as it may sound, these are the mistakes he needs to be making in order to identify it and improve on them.

What’s aided his development further is the room the 19-year-old is given to make those mistakes without any pressure, and that is what is needed for him to thrive at the King Power. The Premier League is a pressurised environment where mistakes are magnified and put on show for all to see and criticise.

It’s unclear what that will do for Fofana’s own confidence and development, but his next club, Leicester City must do everything they can to wrap the player in cotton wool, and give him the environment he needs to properly refine his raw abilities and develop without pressure.

Wesley Fofana is a tremendous talent, a player with an understanding of the game that few his age would kill for. Some may say a Premier League move is too soon for him, but this is a player with a hunger and desire for that next step in his relatively short career. That will only serve him remarkably well for the immediate future.