Tag: Sky Bet Championship

#AnthonyScouts 2024 – Morgan Whittaker

#AnthonyScouts 2024 – Morgan Whittaker

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 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.

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.

Whittaker’s Means of Opportunity/Chance Creation

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.

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 Remarkable Journey of Archie Gray: From Leeds United’s Academy to International Stardom

The Remarkable Journey of Archie Gray: From Leeds United’s Academy to International Stardom

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.

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 boss Daniel 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:

Image provided by Transfermarkt

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.

#AnthonyScouts 2024 – Crysencio Summerville

#AnthonyScouts 2024 – Crysencio Summerville

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5QUKk4fNgI&ab_channel=FelipeStudio

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:

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.

In other Anthony Scouts news, check out this fellow Sky Bet Championship hotshot also destined to be making a move to the Premier League next season.

#AnthonyScouts 2024 – Hayden Hackney

#AnthonyScouts 2024 – Hayden Hackney

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.

Remember the name, Hayden Hackney.

In other Anthony Scouts news, check out this fellow Sky Bet Championship hotshot also sure to be making a move to the Premier League promised land next season.

#AnthonyScouts 2024 – Jonathan Rowe

#AnthonyScouts 2024 – Jonathan Rowe

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].

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPdetaXo6WA&pp=ygUNam9uYXRoYW4gcm93ZQ%3D%3D

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.

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.

Keep an eye on Jonathan Rowe. 

Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson is a future Premier League star

Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson is a future Premier League star

Nottingham Forest fans are daring to dream.

Sunday’s extraordinary 4-1 FA Cup fourth round win over Leicester City in a raucous City ground certainly wasn’t just about progress to the next round but about endless possibilities, and a marker as to where Steve Cooper can take this impressively-built and talented group of players.

It was an afternoon packed full of emotion, celebration and no little drama — and one that only delivered another bucket-full of encouragement for the Forest faithful.

This kind of game, against a club that have enjoyed their own fair share of fairytales in recent years, fans may feel should not be a rarity, but a regular event.

No club currently in the Championship can say they’ve battled and fought for a place in the Premier League as much as Nottingham Forest have in recent memory.

Steve Cooper is the 21st permanent manager to take on the task of leading Forest back into the top flight since they dropped out in 1999. The stats tell an accurate story of frustration, failure and a habit of chop and change.

But after knocking out both of the last two FA Cup winners in Arsenal and now Leicester, Forest continue to suggest that this side — one assembled with a blend of homegrown talent, astute additions and loan signings who somehow feel at home — just might be capable of achieving something.

This is indeed a Forest side packed full of youthful enthusiasm, togetherness, determination and, most importantly, no little ability.

It is really hard not to get carried away if you’re a Forest fan, especially seeing the likes of their very own homegrown talents stealing the show under the lights of the City ground, and one player in particular who is allowing the Forest faithful a chance at hope is the ridiculously flawless young Welsh forward Brennan Johnson.

While all the talk in the Sky Bet Championship surrounding young fledgling young talents have been about Fulham’s very own Fabio Carvalho, and rightly so, Forest fans are constantly pushing their own young maestro into the conversation, and you’d be hard-pressed to disagree with them.

In fact, Brennan Johnson may well be topping Fabio Carvalho to becoming the young face of the Championship. The 20-year-old holds more goals and assists to his name than Carvalho, but its also evidently clear that Carvalho isn’t the only one who could well be impressing in the English top-flight any time soon.

Whilst Carvalho garnered much interest from Liverpool during the January window, Brennan Johnson’s abilities and talents was also emphasised by his very own transfer saga last month.

Forest have not tasted Premier League football since 1999, yet still rejected a £18 million bid (with further add-ons) from Brentford for the 20 year old prodigy, in the final week of the window. Forest turned down a huge profit for a player who joined the club’s academy at the age of eight, in the hope of him helping to propel the club back into the top-flight under Steve Cooper.

Once the season draws to its conclusion come May, Brennan Johnson will be plying his trade in the big one way or another, and Forest will be hoping its with them when the new season kicks off in August.

The 20-year-old is indeed a flawless young talent. A player who has on many occasion this season, gotten the Forest faithful up off their seats with his admirable bravery, courage, youthful exuberance and raw attacking qualities. In his first season as a Championship regular, Johnson has now notched up seven goals and six assists, in 29 starts.

Lining up in the front three of Steve Cooper’s well-balanced and fluid 3-4-3 system, Johnson has not only developed tactically on a personal level but has provided Forest with the attacking potency, cutting edge and swiftness they need to be effective under Steve Cooper.

Since his appointment in September, no team in the Championship has garnered more points (39) than Cooper’s men. Under his stewardship, Forest have risen from the relegation places into eighth in the Championship, two points off the play-off places, an impressive feat.

Under Cooper, Forest have played with more confidence, purpose, intention and vigour and much of that has been down to the excellence of Brennan Johnson, along with Philip Zinckernagel, Djed Spence, loan signings Keinan Davis and James Garner from Aston Villa and Manchester United respectively, and Joe Worrall.

Though, Johnson has been the pick of the bunch. The 20-year-old is currently playing like a footballer plying his trade in the Premier League, and his performances against two of the English top-flight’s elite clubs in Leicester City and Arsenal have evidently shown that he is not out of place playing against elite footballers.

Brennan Johnson is well on his way to becoming a future Premier League star. A throwback forward, one who loves to drive down the wing and pick out telling crosses for his teammates, it may seem pretty ordinary, but the Forest academy product does with such panache and graceful wizardry. He’s quick, agile, tactically intelligent, a livewire when he gets going and almost impossible to stop.

His six assists in the Championship so far this season highlights how creative he is for Nottingham Forest. In the Championship, he averages 1.2 key passes, 1.7 shots per game, 1.2 dribbles per game showcasing just how crucial he is to Forest’s attacking play. What Steve Cooper has instilled in his side, is the freedom to express themselves, even personally telling Johnson ‘don’t be boring, be positive’ and the forward has taken on such advice with spirited excellence.

His goal against Leicester City on Sunday once again highlighted the freedom of confidence he is currently performing at, possessing the quickness of though, anticipation and hunger to latch onto a mistake from a Leicester City player before coolly slotting the ball through the legs on his fellow countryman Danny Ward to put Forest 2-0 up.

It is a mindset and the sort of performance levels that has elevated Johnson and seen him become one of the most coveted young players outside the Premier League.

Steve Cooper has a proven track record with young talent, leading England’s under-17s to World Cup glory in 2017, and Johnson’s progress over the last six months is clear to see.

Johnson’s loan spell at Lincoln City last season also reaped good rewards, notching 11 goals and 5 assists in League One.

Last season his technical ability allowed for tactical flexibility as he was deployed on the left, centre and right of an attacking midfield three within Lincoln’s 4-2-3-1 setup. Based on his time at Lincoln it’s visible that he operates well in an attacking three that all posses similar attributes, such as the ability to operate as an inside forward and combine via the use of halfspaces up and down the pitch.

One of Johnson’s many key attributes is the ability to identify off the ball space in which set himself up for goal scoring opportunities.

Johnson has the mercurial ability to produce a chance out of very little when things fall into place for him. Be that with a sharp dynamic movement that wins his side a penalty, dangerous set-piece situations or an effective progressive carry into space which is enabled through his athleticism and gazelle-like strides when hitting top speeds. His gracious movement accompanies his close control ability well which allows for fast turns of pace as well as avoiding oncoming challenges through an acute change of direction.

Johnson is certainly a jack-of-all-trades type winger, not only does he back his own talent in certain attacking scenarios, he also has the salient ability to make split-second decisions which are often the correct idea when faced with tough decisions to make, especially on the counter or through patient attacking build-ups. It’s because of these impressive traits, Johnson will look at right at home with a number of Premier League clubs in future.

One things for sure, it won’t only be Brentford in the picture for his signature this summer, but several of the top clubs in the country.

There is a long list of young fledgling talents who have stepped up from the Championship and made their mark amongst the elite in the Premier League and Brennan Johnson looks certainly on his way to becoming the latest of those who will go on to become an English top-flight star.

Arnaut Danjuma proving a key figure for Villarreal

Arnaut Danjuma proving a key figure for Villarreal

When Arnaut Danjuma joined Villarreal from AFC Bournemouth last summer for €25m, little did we know he’d make such a telling impact in Unai Emery’s progressive side so soon.

A few months into his Spanish top-flight career and the recently-made Netherlands international is a man of fire, and one of La Liga’s blossoming individuals so far this season.

After hitting 17 goals and 7 assists in the Sky Bet Championship last season, the former Club Brugge forward was always destined for bigger and better things but many thought he’d make that step up in the Barclays Premier League rather than beyond borders.

With several clubs interested in his services last summer, it was Villarreal who took a punt on his flawless abilities, and its safe to say the 24-year-old hasn’t looked back.

He did state recently, he felt he was too good for the Championship and he needed to get out, and after his first few months under Unai Emery’s tutelage, Arnaut Groeneveld Danjuma’s has supremely backed up his lofty statement with some show-stopping, electric and superb performances for the Yellow Submarines.

14 appearances, 7 goals (5 in La Liga), and 3 assists Danjuma has certainly showed he is good enough and ready to cut it amongst the most elite footballers in Europe. The slippery Dutchman has gone from the Championship to the Champions League without batting an eyelid at the transition.

Danjuma’s trajectory over the past year has been nothing short of sensational, and already he is showing his talents on the most prestigious of footballing stages in the UEFA Champions League. If you need any pieces of evidence as to how good he is, not only that, but how invaluable he’s become to Unai Emery’s side in short space of time, check out his performance against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

It was simply jaw-dropping.

The forward was the most electric player on the Old Trafford pitch, despite sharing it with five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Jason Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and other stars.

The former Bournemouth man had United full-back and Portuguese international Diogo Dalot on toast, cutting through him with such expert but thrilling ease. Solskjaer’s defence simply could not handle his pace, acceleration, unerring trickery and swift close-control and deceptive movement. He finished the game with an assist to his name, but also four shots, 2 key passes, 3 dribbles and with a WhoScored rating of 7.42.

There’s no doubt about it, Danjuma is amongst the most devastating forwards in Europe right now.

Danjuma’s instant impact in Spain has surprised many, but probably not coach Unai Emery, who asked club president Fernando Roig to sign the winger this summer.

The former Arsenal manager must have made a strong case because Villarreal splashed out €25 million (£21m) on the Bournemouth man – a large transfer fee by recent Spanish standards.

While giants Real Madrid and Barcelona picked up David Alaba and Memphis Depay on free transfers, Villarreal made Danjuma the second-most expensive signing in their history, behind Paco Alcacer.

Danjuma may have been one of La Liga’s most expensive transfers this summer, but is currently proving he’s worth every penny spent. The Europa League winners were looking for a player who could help them jump forward to the next level tactically and in attack and Danjuma is keeping his part of the bargain.

Unai Emery’s men are clearly more efficient, potent and exciting on the attack and much of that is down to Danjuma’s unpredictable nature on the left-flank.

The Dutchman is one of La Liga’s most aggressive and destructive dribblers in La Liga, averaging 2.4 dribbles per game so far this campaign, per 90 he completes on average almost 2 dribbles per game, 7.76 progressive carries, 1.34 carries into the final third and an outstanding 3.43 carries into the 18-yard box showcasing just how vital he is to Villarreal’s attacking phases of play.

Danjuma also averages 9.30 touches in the opposition’s penalty box, again highlighting that he is arguably La Liga’s most effective wingers alongside the rejuvenated Real Madrid Brazillian superstar Vinicius Jr. His non-penalty XG of 0.66 is in the 99th percentile amongst Europe’s top-five leagues making him one of the most efficient scorers so far on the continent.

The 24-year-old has certainly shown up for Emery so far this season, he netted in the thrilling 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano – a stadium he knows well from his Club Brugge days – lashing past Jan Oblak in a 2-2 draw for his first goal for the club.

Clinically netting in a 2-2 draw with Atalanta in Villarreal’s Champions League opener, he was also a livewire against Elche in a 4-1 win, bursting through the defence and scoring after an hour, and also put in a brilliant showing at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid.

That was followed by two more in the 2-0 win over Real Betis, the first coming after he cut inside from the left and cleverly slipped the ball back inside the near post. He rounded the goalkeeper for his second, showing poise and good judgement. He again came to his side’s rescue against forcing a late leveller in the closing minutes against Cadiz in a 3-3 draw.

His tremendous form so far this season earned him a late Netherlands call up under Louis van Gaal in October, and the winger duly delivered.

“Can anyone stop Danjuma?” asked Spanish newspaper Marca after he dazzled from the bench in a 6-0 win for the Netherlands against Gibraltar.

The coach called him spectacular and pointed out that his team-mates still have to adapt to his explosive balls across the face of goal. 

“He had very nice and impressive dribbles, but his team-mates were not yet geared to his hard crosses,” said Van Gaal.

With time, things will only get better in that aspect, but its clear that Danjuma has given both Louis Van Gaal and Unai Emery reasons to stand up and take notice at his incredible gifts.

His Villarreal team-mates have already given him the nickname ‘Danjumagic’, although the player humbly credits his coach for his superb start in Spain.

“I need to give a massive thanks to Unai Emery,” he told Villarreal’s website. “The coach is very busy (working) with me and he really helps me perform.”

The 24-year-old has proven the star of the show at the Estadio de la Cerámica, but has most of all proven that he can be amongst the best forwards in Europe after the tremendous campaign he enjoyed last year in the English second-division. Arnaut Danjuma was always primed for much more, and he has his sights set on much bigger things which may cause some worry amongst the Villarreal fanbase.

“I came to Villarreal to prove myself again but I’m definitely visualising the next step,” he told Mail Online in September.

It’s no surprise that the forward is already drawing interest from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool with the former Borussia Dortmund coach reportedly sending scouts to watch Danjuma in action, who knows, the flying Dutchman may well be Sadio Mane’s heir on that left-flank at Anfield, and he’s certainly good enough to take over the role.

Danjuma is serious joy to watch in action with his blindingly quick feet, deceptive body movement and jaw-dropping trickery so it won’t only be Liverpool scouring for his services in the near future. Villarreal have already taken kindly to the 24-year-old wing wizard, and they should enjoy his magic while it lasts because the sky really is the limit for such a truly decorated footballer.

Michael Olise makes Premier League mark with brilliant cameo against Leicester City

Michael Olise makes Premier League mark with brilliant cameo against Leicester City

It was inside 50 minutes, Crystal Palace were 2-0 down against Leicester City – down but probably not out – Patrick Vieira’s men pressing and harrying their opponents but without any real incision or cutting edge in the final third. It had been the story of their season so far, conjuring up fine openings but lacking the ruthlessness when it mattered most.

Vieira knew that, and felt it was the perfect time for a change, for a fresh new impetus, and a significant one it turned out to be.

On came new summer signing and exciting young midfielder Michael Olise in place of the misfiring Jordan Ayew.

As soon as the 19-year-old wonderkid took his position on the pitch, Palace instantly stepped it up a notch and the former Reading man was at the centre of it alongside fellow substitute and goalscorer Jeffrey Schlupp, Odsonne Edouard and Wilfried Zaha.

Every time Olise took possession, he attempted to make things happen, expressing his bravery and courage on the ball, taking on Premier League experienced full-back Ryan Bertrand at every opportunity.

There was a moment soon after Olise came on, picking up the ball with his back to goal, swiveling on the half-turn past his marker before slotting a finely threaded through ball for full-back Joel Ward to rush onto.

It was only a small exhibition, but a true sign of what Michael Olise brings to Palace’s midfield. Not many players in Vieira’s weaponry possess the ability to unlock defences at such an alarming rate as Olise.

This is a uniquely and technically gifted midfielder, a delight to watch with the ball at his feet.

If you saw Olise during his Championship days, you’d know he holds a wand of a left-foot possessing the abilities not just to thread deft incisive through balls, but to cross effectively, make the most of set-piece opportunities and also the unique ability to get by a defender with the swiftness of feet and the most deceptive of movements on the ball.

The midfielder recorded an impressive 7 goals and 12 assists in the Sky Bet Championship last season making him one of the division’s most consummate, effective and influential attacking midfielders.

Under Paunovic at the Madejski stadium, Olise fulfilled a variety of roles in attack; on the left-wing, right-wing, centre-midfield and at no.10 highlighting his incredible versatility, tremendous tactical knowledge and awareness but also the superb knack of becoming an influential cog no matter where he is on the field.

Olise was used in Jordan Ayew’s position when he came on, and immediately changed the whole trajectory for Crystal Palace,. The midfielder got his just rewards scoring a scorching effort inside the box past Kasper Schmeichel just eight minutes after stepping on to the pitch.

It’s fair to say Olise has taken in his new surroundings like a duck to water, and his 30-odd minute cameo against Leicester City will have surely captured the imagination of the Palace faithful. They now know they’ve got a real talent on their hands, and that was made perfectly clear when they jeering on his name soon after scoring.

Within those 30-odd minutes, Olise recorded 28 touches of the ball, 2 key passes, 2 long balls, 2 crosses and won 2 of his aerial duels as well as three shots according to WhoScored.com. His pass percentage read at 82.4% meaning he is not afraid to create something out of nothing. If cameos are anything to go by, Michael Olise’s was very impressive.

As much as its easy to get carried away by Olise’s short stint against Leicester City, Patrick Vieira has correctly warned that Olise is not at his best form yet, and that patience must indeed be handed to the youngster as he acclimatises himself to the Premier League, he said:

“We are all really excited by his talent, but at the same time we have to understand it will take time to be a Premier League player. He is working well and hard at a good club to support him to develop himself. It’s about him keeping working, he’s doing well in training, he can score goals, but we have to support him to develop himself.

“It is a long season, so he will definitely play some games. He’s had a long injury and is not at his best yet, but he is improving and will be a really important player for us.”

Michael Olise of course must be given much time to get used to the rigours of the Premier League, though all of his impressive cameos have come against the league’s big boys in Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Leicester City. Yet another stark reminder that 19-year-old doesn’t under the weight of expectation, pressure or lofty responsibilities.

Olise’s future in a Crystal Palace looks very promising, and his performance against Leicester will have surely given Patrick Vieira something to think about heading into the international break; that he isn’t here to sit on the bench, he’s here to make his mark on the biggest stage in the country and boy, does he possess all the tools necessary to become one of the brightest young players this nation has seen.

Bryan Mbeumo swiftly adapting to life in the Premier League

Bryan Mbeumo swiftly adapting to life in the Premier League

Premier League newcomers Brentford have got off to an unprecedented start to life in the Barclays Premier League taking eight points from five games so far. Manager Thomas Frank has superbly moulded a team that has taken in the rigours of such a demanding league like a duck to water, making them tough to beat, organised, rugged and extremely dangerous and efficient on the counter.

Whilst Ivan Toney has been grabbing all the plaudits in attack, defenders Rico Henry, Pontus Jansson and new signing from Celtic Kristoffer Ajer, have rightly all been receiving praise for their stunning performances so far. Though, Bryan Mbeumo is perhaps a name that has somewhat flown under the radar thus far.

The French winger lining up alongside Ivan Toney in Thomas Frank’s 3-5-2 setup has been excellent. He only turned 22 last month and has long been a permanent fixture and a real source of energy, incision and pace in the Bee’s front-line.

Mbeumo joined Brentford at the beginning of the 2019/20 season, signing for £5.8 million from French side Troyes. His impact was immediate, notching 16 goals and seven assists in his debut Championship season, whilst last season he scored eight and laying on 10 assists in the league too. Whilst he is yet to grab an assist this season, he has started the campaign in good form, with one Premier League goal, and one in the EFL Cup too.

However, the amount of goal contributions Mbeumo records only tells a small part of the story of how he has impacted Thomas Frank’s side over the past couple seasons. The 22-year-old is a silky forward, blessed with great trickery, unerring strength, sheer speed with the ball at his feet and an understanding with Ivan Toney that will certainly frighten even the best sides in the Premier League this season.

Mbeumo has established himself as a vital cog in the Brentford system. Given his fine performances over the past two seasons, there will be plenty of sides around Europe closely monitoring how he adapts to life in the Premier League this season, and with very valid reason.

So has the Mbeumo impacted Brentford’s system so far?

Mbeumo may line up as part of a front two, but that position is too restrictive for where he actually influences the play. He enjoys relative freedom to move away from the front line and link-up with the midfielders, becoming the link-man between both the midfield and Ivan Toney in attack.

As seen in the image below, Mbeumo diverts from his starting position alongside Ivan Toney, to present a passing option for the defence to play out from the back. As he receives the pass, there are only three Brentford players clearly deeper than him. Moving into the deep areas from such a high starting position, Mbeumo is able to evade tight marking from the opposing defenders to lay the ball off to the wing with a one-touch pass. 

He is a player who is constantly on the move, arguably the most efficient in the Brentford team. While Toney also holds the mobility to come deep and effect the game, it is Mbeumo’s drive, pace and excellent ball control in tight areas that allows him the freedom to wreck havoc in the middle third disrupting the opponent’s defensive organisation.

The space left open in Brentford’s midfield allows him to not only drop into these sort of areas, but to provide plenty of options for which positions he may choose to drop into.

The 22-year-old never shies from his responsibilities in attack, however. Just after receiving in midfield and laying off to the wing-backs, he is immediately on the move within the central attacking areas, looking to hit the space between the opposition centre-backs and offering a dangerous option for a dissecting through ball or a long pass over the top.

Mbuemo’s movement is a dangerous source of chance creation for Brentford

Bryan Mbuemo is an intelligent player, he knows where to run, where to show for the ball and also where to operate in tight spaces so that more freedom and space can be afforded to his partner Ivan Toney as shown in the above image.

He is a constant option for Brentford to play to in between the lines. Mbeumo regularly positions himself in spaces where he can receive the ball and Brentford can break opposition lines.

The off-the-ball movements he performs are often well-timed owing to his incredible understanding of the system when Brentford are in possession. He starts high, even higher than Toney at times, but holds an excellent burst of pace and close-control where he will burst away from his marker and into the open spaces.

He will react to the positioning of the ball but also recognises triggers in Brentford’s build-up play to begin his off-the-ball movement. One of these is a lateral pass from one teammate to another, where the new ball-carrier is facing the opposition goal, and has possession in the same channel that Mbeumo is operating in. The French forward will then drop into the half-space receiving between the lines, preferably on the half-turn.

It’s when he receives the ball that he becomes so effective drawing on opposition defenders to allow gaps and spaces to open up for others to exploit, like Toney or Sergi Canos, or one of the three midfielders to break into.

Further forward, Mbeumo engages in the kind of movement you would expect from a centre-forward of his ilk playing alongside someone with Toney’s tremendous attributes.

Toney is strong, quick, aerially dominant with an impressive frame, and as such provides an excellent outlet, alongside many other of his telling attributes. Any pass into his strike partner and Mbeumo is always on hand to aid his partner and provide an option as shown in the below image.

Toney receiving a pass in these sorts of areas is yet another trigger for Mbeumo to move. As you can the see, the Wolves defensive-line is so high, and that’s because of Toney’s excellent positioning engaging them. As soon as he receives the pass, he knows Mbeumo will be on the move exploiting the space in behind.

This can be particularly devastating and effective if Toney can find a nearby central-midfielder perfectly capable of instantly playing the through pass, but Toney also has the individual flair in possession to conjure up a telling pass in behind, even from a position like the one shown above. 

Mbeumo will constantly scour for spaces along the width of the forward-line. He positions himself where he cannot possibly be tightly marked, placing himself between two defenders. There was an instance in that Wolves game where he broke free to set up Ivan Toney to score but Mbeumo was ruled to be offside. Despite that, his constant movement is telling. Once he receives such a pass, he possesses the technical ability and trickery to wreak havoc.

The ex-Troyes forward is an excellent technical player who holds a first touch many other players would kill for. He can receive the ball on either foot but greatly prefers to do his work with his favoured left foot, where he can be incredibly deceptive and drive at his marker.

Mbeumo possesses a maturity in Brentford’s possession play that belies his tender age. He reads the space around him well, scanning and using his peripheral vision to assess how immediate any pressure is, whilst looking for a passing option too. He is quite comfortable holding up the ball with his back to goal, but much of that work is left to Ivan Toney, as explained above. Once Toney is in such a situation, Mbeumo is always on hand to move beyond him into any spaces vacated.

Much of Mbeumo’s best work comes when using his dribbling ability to hold up the play whilst also waiting for teammates to join the attack. He uses his body well when in possession which means he can keep the ball for as long as he likes; remember how Eden Hazard used to manipulate the ball to his advantage. Mbeumo is equally adept at such a situation. He will take many small touches when holding the ball up, keeping an upright body position, whilst changing direction if pressured by a defender.

So far this season he has recorded a 58.3% completion rate on his 3.6 dribbles per 90. He’s also recorded 1.06 dribbles into the final third per 90 highlighting his importance to Brentford when progressing the play into dangerous areas.

The 22-year-old is a devastating outlet for Brentford in transition as Wolves found out constantly on matchday 5.

Brentford regularly keep their attackers close to their midfield in the defensive phase. As such, Mbeumo can at times recover the ball himself, pinching the ball away from opposition midfielders, making a late, well-timed move to dispossess them from their blindside. Upon regaining the ball Mbeumo is very direct, quick and unstoppable when in full-flow. He can quickly progress the ball and begin a swift counter-attack. He is confident driving forward on the ball and is a competent ball-carrier, but can show quality with his forward passing on quick breaks too.

He currently averages 2.13 progressive carries per 90 whilst also recording 2.57 shot-creating actions too. These are all impressive numbers especially for a player enjoying his first few games in Premier League football. Such numbers recorded shows how key he is to Thomas Frank’s efficient and organised system.

However, Mbeumo does have a bad habit for giving up possession too cheaply on occasion in transition. These instances arise specifically when Mbeumo receives possession in a deeper area, often inside his own half and close to the wide channel.

Mbeumo can look to receive on the half-turn despite being marked tightly. For a player who can show outstanding awareness this is a puzzlingly poor habit of his, but one he will no doubt work on as the season progresses. For a player of his slight frame, he does have incredible strength, so he must use that to his advantage when faced with such a situation.

Playing at such an elite level, Mbeumo will need to work on his efforts in the final third. If Brentford are to build on their good start and avoid any relegation issues, they would need to be ruthlessly clinical when it matters most and that will include Mbeumo improving his game in those situations too.

Last season he recorded 10 assists along with his eight goals, which was quite a decent return in front of goal but for a player of Mbeumo’s quality, he can do better. He vastly over-performed against his 12.02 xG in his first season at Brentford but since then has underperformed against it.

He should have two against Wolves at the weekend, blazing his second attempt on to the bar when a much calmer and composed finish will have sufficed.

Mbeumo so often looks to break the net with his finishing, opting for power, even when he looks to shape the ball toward goal. This often leads to him striking the ball in the air, which isn’t needed most of the time. Seeing Mbeumo spurn such opportunities has become all too familiar, and its a trait he must cut out if Brentford are to have any chance of staying in the top-flight.

He can nevertheless forge a chance for himself or his teammates regularly through his unerring dribbling ability shifting the ball from one foot to the other with lightning-quick speed and precision.

Yes, at times he may be wasteful but his movement in the penalty box is quite impressive as shown for his goal in Brentford’s assured win over Wolves where the French forward made an initial movement towards the front post, latching onto Toney’s fine pass to double their lead.

Mbeumo actually made this movement twice, checking his run initially and preventing himself from going too early which would have been ruled offside. However, he was able to still hit the space towards the back post, receiving the ball across goal, and finishing unmarked.

Because of Mbeumo’s ever-improving qualities coupled with Ivan Toney’s brilliance, Brentford will indeed cause a lot more problems for established Premier League sides this campaign.

The 22-year-old Frenchman has quickly become a vital cog in Thomas Frank’s impressively built machine, already adapting to the rigours of the Premier League so effortlessly. However, the player knows his importance to the team which means he must carry on his form and impact alongside Ivan Toney to give his team a chance of survival come May.

He was always ready to take his game up a level showcasing his quality consistently throughout his time in the Championship with Brentford, but now that must be translated into the English top-flight. Five games in, and Mbeumo has already proven his ability to the masses, and long may it continue.