Tag: Lionel Messi

Enzo Fernández’ brief Mexico cameo proves he MUST now start for Argentina

Enzo Fernández’ brief Mexico cameo proves he MUST now start for Argentina

When Argentina’s World Cup ambitions were again going towards national heartbreak, they desperately needed a savior.

Mexico proved a tough and an unbreakable resistance, repelling every pass or move Argentina threw at them.

Lionel Scaloni’s men flattered to deceive, lacking imagination in attack whilst also looking lost as a cohesive unit. It was the same story in their shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia ending their 35-unbeaten streak spanning three years. They looked uncomfortable for much of the game, still recovering and in total shock from the Saudi result.

It wasn’t until the footballing gods provided the Argentines with a pure World Cup moment, the solution to their incredibly drab and uncharacteristic footballing sins, more importantly they provided a player who could help calm the storm.

It wasn’t the great Lionel Messi, who bagged the all important first goal but it was one on his way to worldwide stardom, a player banked on to become one of the nation’s biggest footballing hopes in the future, that man was 21-year-old midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

When a player blessed with such grace and class as Lionel Messi heaps praise and admiration for you, you’ve certainly got to be a special player. And in Fernandez’ brief 33 minutes on the pitch against Mexico, the Benfica midfielder exerted just why he is one of the most exciting and complete midfield talents in Europe, in Argentina and arguably in world football.

Enzo’s strike in the 87th minute from a Messi assist was his first goal for his country in only his fifth international cap.

“I’m not surprised,” Messi said when asked about Fernandez post-match. “I see him every day, I train with him, I have even played against him in the Champions League,” added Messi about the youngster, who represents Portuguese side Benfica. 

“Enzo deserves this goal. He is spectacular, and a very important player for us, like everyone in our group. I’m very happy for him and for us because he gave us peace of mind with that 2-0 [lead],” added Messi.

Indeed, the former River Plate is spectacular, and its such praise which will only heighten his ceiling and popularity amongst fans on the continent and in world football. Yet, it won’t be Messi’s comments alone which will provide him with the adulation, but his performances on the grandest stage.

In fact, amongst Argentina, many believe Enzo Fernandez should be a regular in the senior setup and the performance before he arrived on the scene against Mexico proved just why. Messi and co, for much of the game were too frenetic, laboured, lacked composure and cohesion and looked like a team well short of being World Cup contenders, especially considering the amount of quality in Scaloni’s midfield.

Guido Rodriguez, Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo de Paul all failed to provide Argentina with the spark, quality and creative imagination to breach Mexico’s stout low-block. In fact, Lionel Messi could hardly look his usual self playing alongside them, until Scaloni recognised his team desperately needed a midfield savior, an anchor and a player blessed with the art of control, composure and a decisive mindset in all of his actions.

Step forward Enzo.

The 21-year-old maestro was superb from the moment he entered the tense showpiece. Fernandez’ instantly provided the class, and assurance needed in possession. They already looked a settled side, confident and dominant the moment the Benfica man entered the fray. He successfully completed 22 of his 27 passes, won four out of his seven total duels, also successfully completing 100% of his dribbles. And within seven minutes of his introduction, Lionel Messi broke Mexico hearts with a superb drilled shot from outside the box.

But it was the second goal which stole Argentinian fan’s hearts, a sublime piece of skill and curler from Fernandez – assisted by Messi – which will now finally announce his class and quality on the world stage.

If you’re only now just hearing of the former River Plate wonderkid, you’ve sorely missed out. The San-Martin born midfielder has only been playing in Europe four months, and he’s already one of the most prestigious of his position on the continent, and that is down to the unique qualities he exerts in midfield. Some of it was made paramount against Mexico on Saturday night, but Argentinian fans will want more of it.

He was utilised as a no.6 in place of Guido Rodriguez against Mexico, but what will be pivotal for Argentina providing they go deep into the tournament is Fernandez’ wonderful versatility. Capable of playing in a deep-lying role, as well as a marauding box-to-box no.8 or even a creative and inventive central midfield role.

The 21-year-old also mixes excellent technical proficiency with tremendous levels of effort, endeavour and application + a highly intelligent tactical understanding to boot. He’s incredibly combative in his midfield duels, protects the space and his backline incredibly well, also a wonderful passer of the ball with excellent vision and high levels of accuracy, and is very purposeful in his midfield actions whilst also possessing the knack of dribbling into dangerous territory or out of it to devastating effect.

It’s no wonder why fans are baffled as to why he can’t get into Scaloni’s XI.

In his first spell in European football in just four months at Benfica, he’s already bossing the Champions League, playing against the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi in the group stage, and also a leading midfield man in the Portuguese top-flight.

The World Cup platform is made for searing future superstars like Enzo Fernandez, and it’s only right Scaloni changes tact and includes the 21-year-old in his plans starting against Poland on Wednesday. Potential elite suitors keeping tabs on Fernandez will be hoping Scaloni rewards him with opportunities too.

How Argentina should line-up against Poland on Wednesday:

Alexis Mac Allister: The midfield maestro Brighton have always needed

Alexis Mac Allister: The midfield maestro Brighton have always needed

We’ve all grown accustomed to Brighton’s one recurring struggle these past 18 months, one which has held them back from realizing their full potential under the fine and craft tutelage of highly-rated tactician Graham Potter.

It’s been their inability to put the ball in the back of the net consistently whether during Premier League matches or in consecutive gameweeks. There’s no doubt about it, this is a Brighton team on the up. They’re much more competitive, more cohesive, tactically aware, and more defensive sound, but still its finding the back of the net regularly that so eludes them.

However, their impressive 3-2 win over a struggling and faltering Everton team may well be the game Brighton start to be more clinical, and we are really hoping so, because this is a team that can go places.

Picture this though, the Everton result was the first time this season Brighton have score three or more in a game. It’s a surprising stat considering the wealth of talent both in midfield and attack at Graham Potter’s disposal.

Neal Maupay, Leandro Trossard, Yves Bissouma, Enock Mwepu, Adam Lallana, Tariq Lamptey, Marc Cucurella, Jakub Moder, Graham Potter is building and moulding an exciting and tantalizing squad. While Neal Maupay (7) and Leandro Trossard (4) have shared the goals between them rather staggered this season, there is one flawless talent not named above who after his performance against Everton deserves his own seperate mention is Brighton’s Argentine midfield maestro Alexis Mac Allister.

Brighton and Hove Albion have needed a goalscoring midfielder ever since their promotion to the big league in 2017. Now, they have finally found one in the shape of the so-called South Coast Messi, as big a claim as that may be, Mac Allister is indeed a special footballer.

The 23-year-old’s two goals against Everton on Sunday highlighted his stunning ability in the final third, but also showed he has a fair amount in common with the former Barcelona great and his compatriot. Same shirt number, same build and stature but also the same aura when performing for their clubs respectively.

Mac Allister hasn’t had all his own way since his arrival.

He’s made the same number of top-flight substitute appearances (22) as starts (22) since an £8 million move from Argentinos Juniors in the January 2019 transfer window.

Mac Allister was loaned back to Argentinos, then to his boyhood idols Boca Juniors, before making his Brighton debut at Wolves in March 2020, the final fixture before COVID-19 led to a Premier League lockdown. The 23-year-old has been unfortunate that his period at the club has coincided with injuries, niggles and the disruptive pandemic but after a few false starts in the team, it finally looks like his big break amongst Potter’s first XI is finally upon him.

His double against Everton took his tally for the league season to four goals taking him level with Leandro Trossard, compared to scoring just once in 30 outings across the previous two campaigns. Graham Potter has turned to him in the last three matches in succession. They have yielded a 2-0 home win over Brentford, a 1-1 draw at Chelsea and a first-ever victory at Goodison Park.

Within those three appearances, Mac Allister has shown why he can be so pivotal to Potter’s impressively built side. Both of his goals were simply mesmerizing, applying the finish to fluid build-ups, something Brighton have struggled with for a while.

His first, ghosting into the box to volley Neal Maupay’s header from Joel Veltman’s cross past Jordan Pickford from six yards just two minutes and 43 seconds into the contest, Brighton’s fastest ever away goal in the Premier League. If you analyse the goal, you’d see as soon Veltman hit the cross towards the box, Mac Allister is already on the move to capitalize on any loose balls, and that’s how he was able to score, something out of Frank Lampard or even Lionel Messi’s playbook.

His second and Brighton’s third was out of the top draw, arrowing an unstoppable right-footed drive beyond the reach of England No 1 Jordan Pickford into the roof of the net from 20-yards, an absolute peach of a hit. Measured, purposeful and hit with real venom encompassing the fact that this is a footballer playing with real confidence.

It was his cross which led to Brighton’s third, but also it was a true measure of his specialty from free-kicks and corners. This is a player mastered in the art of creativity.

He currently averages 3.43 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, the third most in the Brighton squad, again highlighting his creative abilities in the final third. Also, the Argentine averages 1.56 key passes, 4.38 passes into the final third and 4.53 progressive passes.

Lining up behind both Neal Maupay and Leandro Trossard, Mac Allister has fully utilised and taken advantage of the freedom offered to him in Brighton’s attacking play.

Mac Allister’s season heatmap

Whether its operating in the half-spaces or in the flanks orchestrating one and two touch football, he’s become so central to Potter’s intricate patterns of football. His heatmap above may not show as much action, but its safe to say Mac Allister is a smooth and silent operator, one who picks his moments but is obviously decisive when provided the opportunity. Not only is he thriving in his attacking play, but he’s a very valuable component in Graham Potter’s renewed pressing game this season.

The Argentinian averages 9.38 successful pressures per90 in the Premier League this season, the ninth best out of any player in the English top-flight, as well as averaging 2.66 tackles won per 90, which makes for telling reading when analysing his work off the ball. Mac Allister, Trossard and Maupay may look the smallest and not the strongest when defending from the front but they are true hustlers and harriers when trying to counter-press, something Graham Potter has utilised to good effect so far this campaign.

Against Everton, Mac Allister was at his sparkling best, recording 65 touches, the joint-second best in the Brighton team, 2 key passes, 3 shots, 3 accurate crosses, 2 accurate long balls, 5 tackles, and four clearances picking up a WhoScored rating of 8.76. Blessed with such amazing quick and silky feet, wonderful vision, and a technical set of skills that means he is like no other in this Brighton squad, a unique player who Graham Potter probably cannot do without.

Mac Allister only turned 23 on Christmas Eve, so there’s still a lot more to come from him. Five goals – 4 of them coming this campaign – is a credible return from 44 Premier League appearances overall for Brighton, considering so many of them have been limited roles from the bench. Of course, he will never reach Messi’s prestigious feats but Mac Allister is capable of the spectacular, whether chipping in with goals and assists that have been lacking from the midfield areas for Brighton.

Graham Potter said post-match:

“He’s got the quality. You can see that. He can contribute to the scoring phase for us, for sure. So can Enock, so can Jakub (Moder).

“That’s something we’re trying to improve because it’s too easy to blame the strikers if we don’t score. It was positive because we got goals from midfield and a goal from a set play, which is good for us.”

It’s high-time Brighton started getting goals from midfield and if they can keep Mac Allister fit and firing for the rest of the campaign, there is simply no reason why Graham Potter’s men can’t claim an unprecedented top-half finish in the Premier League table come May.

Certainly, Brighton’s Argentine midfield maestro will be central to those lofty ambitions, the future is looking really bright at the Amex Stadium.

Christopher Nkunku, RB Leipzig’s shining light

Christopher Nkunku, RB Leipzig’s shining light

If RB Leipzig can take any solace from their quite below-par start to the season under new boss Jesse Marsch, its the form of their supremely gifted talismanic French midfielder Christopher Nkunku.

The 23-year-old was terribly unlucky that is tremendous hat-trick against Manchester City in their UEFA Champions League group stage curtain raiser came at a disastrous cost as Leipzig were cut to shreds at the other end as City triumphed 6-3 at the Etihad.

While much of the headlines on the night will have been about their shambolic defending against Grealish and co. Christopher Nkunku’s stock rose considerably providing hope for Leipzig in an otherwise dour evening in Manchester.

Photo: REUTERS/Craig Brough

The 23-year-old took his goals superbly, despite all three of them drawing Leipzig back into the game whilst City ran riot, but all three goals were a true reflection of the remarkable growth he is showing under Jesse Marsch so far this season.

The former Red Bull Salzburg coach has already stated his admiration and joy at working with the Frenchman, “Christopher has no weaknesses. He’s young and still want a lot more. Working with him is a lot of fun as he’s really intelligent and has a lot of potential.”

Indeed, Nkunku is an incredibly intelligent player and that isn’t just reflected in his goals – he’s got 7 goals and 2 assists in eight games at the time of writing – it’s the way he’s setting about scoring them. Getting himself into the right positions to take his chances but also provide the whole team with the onus to go and express themselves in attack.

Against Hertha Berlin at the weekend, Nkunku scored two beautiful goals – a dink over the keeper and a finely taken free-kick right into the top corner – and provided two assists in Leipzig’s 6-0 rout over a very poor Hertha BSC side to become the hallmark of Leipzig’s instant rejuvenation.

In their second Champions League group stage game against Belgian outfit Club Brugge – in yet another European defeat for Jesse Marsch and his side – he bagged his fourth goal in the competition latching onto a through ball to put Leipzig ahead in a 2-1 defeat.

It’s important to note that Nkunku has always provided the admirable and telling consistency in his game that makes him such a uniquely gifted performer for Leipzig. It’s only now, his performances are reaping its rewards.

Last season, he registered the highest combined non-penalty expected goals (npxG) and expected assists (xA) for attacking midfielders/wingers domestically (0.73 per game). How does that rank amongst his peers? Very high in fact. Over the course of the past year, he ranks in the 96th percentile in Europe’s top five leagues and international club competition for the same category (0.64 per game).

NpxG and xA are combined with “shot creation actions”, meaning “the two offensive actions directly leading to a shot, such as passes, dribbles and drawing fouls”, highlighting involvement in Leipzig’s attacks. Once again, his overall contribution was only bettered by a handful of the world’s top midfielders/forwards, including Neymar and Lionel Messi.

However, due to poor finishing by himself and his teammates meant that his extraordinarily positive influence on the team’s attacking output was getting somewhat overlooked because he wasn’t registering the goals and assists that is expected from attacking midfielders.

His Bundesliga npxG of 0.37 and xA of 0.36 per 90 only produced six goals and six assists from 28 games. In fact, his underlying numbers suggest Nkunku should really have notched around 10 goals and 10 assists last season. His end product appeared above-average rather than excellent, unlike his debut campaign where he hit five goals and 13 assists.

Also, his positional versatility proved his undoing under former boss Julian Nagelsmann last year. He was seen as a very useful utility player rather than the technically gifted up-and-coming star he should have been perceived as.

Nkunku performed in a variety roles mostly as one of two narrow attacking midfielders behind a striker or false nine which hampered his understanding of his role and value in the team and also the opportunity to work efficiently and effectively with his fellow attackers such as the equally gifted Dani Olmo.

In Jesse Marsch’s 4-2-3-1 system, by contrast, he’s been utilised as more of a winger.

When Marsch changed his set-up in response to his team’s run of poor results ahead of the Hertha BSC game and reverted to Nagelsmann’s 3-4-3 system, Nkunku was back in the right-sided No 10 role but crucially given licence to make roam and make deeper runs as his abilities warrant.

From there, he’s able to provide his strongest assets: his pace, off-the-ball movement and superb understanding of space in between the opponent’s defence and midfield. Against Hertha, Nkunku clocked an outstanding 35.5 kilometres per hour during the game.

Defensively, Nkunku is just as quick off the mark and without the ball. 8.69 pressures in the final third put him in the 99th percentile in the top five leagues for players in his positions.

The midfielder is so dangerously creative too. Once he gets the ball in the final third, its incredibly hard to stop him expressing himself. He’s always on the move, always willing to receive the ball in the most difficult areas in the half-space but more important he is very competent and consistent in attempting the extraordinary eye-of-the-needle through balls. He’s averaged an incredible 5.27 shot creating actions, 2.41 key passes, 2.22 passes into the final third whilst also averaging the same amount of passes into the 18-yard-box per90 minutes. Again, he is so vital to Jesse Marsch’s team.

He is indeed a uniquely gifted performer.

Now, we are finally starting to see Nkunku reap his rewards. He’s always worked hard as the above stats show, he’s always been a willing player both in attack and defence but he hasn’t had the numbers to show for it.

At Leipzig, they’re not surprised at his extraordinary start to the season.

After returning from the summer break with more muscle having worked with a personal trainer on his stability and speed, putting in extra shifts on the training ground in his ball-work, Marsch and his coaching staff were expecting him to be one of the key performers in this campaign and Nkunku has repaid their faith so far.

He is one of the first names on the team-sheet this season, after finding his spot limited under Naglesmann last year.

Born in Lagny-sur-Marne, the same Paris suburb that produced Paul Pogba, Nkunku cut a rather slight if confident figure among fellow Clairefontaine academy students Marcus Thuram (now at Borussia Monchengladbach), Allan Saint-Maximin (now at Newcastle United) and Amine Harit (now at Marseille).

As was often the case of young stars playing in Paris, opportunities were limited for players from the PSG academy. If you need any examples, just ask players like Odsonne Edouard, Tanguy Nianzou, Boubakary Soumaré or Timothy Weah, the list is endless.

Nkunku understood that he needed to find regular game time hence his move to Leipzig in 2019. A club well placed to provide him with the development and learning his game deserved.

Shortly before leaving Paris, Arsenal head of recruitment Sven Mislintat had attempted to bring in the player on loan in the 2018-19 winter transfer window but PSG didn’t approve. He was sold to RB for €13 million and made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League in his first season.

“It was the club I needed,” Nkunku explained at the time. “I’ve rediscovered the pleasure of playing. I feel that I’m blossoming on the pitch, that I’m a bit more liberated. The more time goes on, the better I am. Now I can say that it is better to leave your comfort zone to grow taller.”

The 23-year-old has grown considerably since then, his game has matured and his intelligence and understanding of the tactically has soared through the roof, and its a testament to his hard-work and willingness to learn and improve. Nkunku is only going to get better and that’s a scary sight for Leipzig’s opponents this season.

His existing contract runs until 2024 but just like Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate, Naby Keita, Timo Werner and Marcel Sabitzer before him, he’ll almost certainly become too good a player to stick around at Leipzig for much longer.

The club will have to enjoy him while they can, because Christopher Nkunku is on to much bigger things in the near future.