Leandro Trossard

July 22, 2022 at 7:47 pm

Leandro Trossard  As one of a series of Belgians to play in the Premier League today, Leandro Trossard has gained the heart of the Brighton support. The 26-year-old midfielder tends to offer Brighton one of their most exciting and ambitious attacking talents.

Scoring four goals whilst setting five up in a Brighton side that really struggles for goals is a big contribution. Having played close to 2,000 minutes in the league so far, too, it is fair to say that Trossard is a regular starter for Brighton now.

What makes Leandro Trossard worth watching?

Capable of playing across the left-hand side, right-hand side, and through the middle, Trossard is a modern attacker in the best way. He gets forward on and off the ball, moves around well, switches positions, and can be a threat with both feet from distance and up-close.

He tends to have a great shot in particular and is capable of winding up powerful shots without much backlift. His stocky frame also allows him to hold off opponents before playing ambitious passes in behind and over the top of the opposition.

An exciting and aggressive talent, Trossard offers a spark to quite a workmanlike Brighton team.

Things to improve for Leandro Trossard

The main thing that Trossard needs to work on is his durability. Often, it only takes a contested aerial attack or a lost tackle to see Trossard vanish from the play for the next few moments. He has to become more inclined to stay involved, even if things are not happening for him in general.

His aerial ability is limited given his stature, but offensively he could also choose to be a touch less wasteful with passes in behind. Given his teammates tend to play nice attacking football, Trossard could also benefit from linking up with teammates more as opposed to always trying to go it alone.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

June 11, 2022 at 7:46 pm

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg  Signed by Tottenham in the summer to add steel to a silky midfield, Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg has shown why he was once deemed such a huge talent. Breaking through at FC Bayern, he failed to make the grade before arriving in England with Southampton.

Intermittent quality was shown before making the move to North London, where Højbjerg has quickly established himself as a key cog in the best parts of the Mourinho era. How good, though, is a player who was once seen as one to watch for his generation?

What makes Pierre-Emile Højbjerg worth watching?

Spurs have found themselves a real defensive gem with the signing of Højbjerg, offering a box-to-box option who can get forward and defend with equal quality. Making an impressing 88% of his passes on average, the Dane keeps the ball, uses it well, and tends to be useful from distance with his long-range shooting. On top of that, though, Højbjerg also tends to be a wonderful defensive presence, offering a hard tackling midfielder who can help to cover while the more attacking Spurs players move forward.

With a crisp range of passing and shooting, too, he is a very modern midfielder.

Things to improve for Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

The main weakness for Højbjerg definitely stems from two things – a lack of goals from distance despite his shot quality, and his defensive aggression. Having already picked up over 10 bookings in just 25+ games for Spurs, Højbjerg could do with toning down the aggression a touch.

It often leads to foolish fouls. However, that aside, it would be hard to say too much about Højbjerg that would limit his game. He is a well-regarded passer, a great ball-winner, and an energetic presence who can add a lot to the Spurs midfield when fit.

Rúben Neves

May 19, 2022 at 7:45 pm

Rúben Neves  Signed from FC Porto to huge surprise, at the time of the signing Neves was rated as among the best young midfielders worldwide. However, what was Porto’s loss was Wolverhampton Wanderer’s gain, as Neves has developed into one of the most impressive holding midfielders in his age group.

A top quality operator with vision to match his tenancy, Neves is a yard of pace short of being rated as one of the best all-around midfielders around. That yard of pace, though, has been made up for with extra-special technique and vision.

What makes Rúben Neves worth watching?

Watch a Neves goals highlight reel and you might think you are watching the best player in the world. Neves scores beautiful goals from set-pieces and open play with regularity. Five in total so far have come this year so far, as well as a solitary assist.

An excellent defensive contributor, too, Neves can often snap the ball away from opponents or ensure it never reaches destination thanks to his impressive interceptions. Add in his raking long-range passes and disguised through balls, and Neves is a creative dynamo who packs a fair amount of power in his game.

Things to improve for Rúben Neves

Speaking of assists, there is a creative deficit in numbers given how well Neves sees the game. You would say that Neves should probably score and create more goals. He’s a solid threat from set-pieces both taking them and getting on the end, but can be a touch too wasteful with good positions on the pitch.

Add in his inconsistency when it comes to scoring on a regular basis, and it is easy to see why some can grow frustrated with Neves when it comes to consistent scoring and creative play. Even a shade more consistency on this end of the pitch would make a big difference to a midfielder who has everything except from natural pace.

Bukayo Saka

April 17, 2022 at 7:43 pm

Bukayo Saka  Having started his early Arsenal career as an attack-minded left-back, today Bukayo Saka is one of their most prominent players in attack. Capable of playing on either wing with gusto and flair, the 19-year-old has quickly become one of the most important players at Arsenal.

However, despite his rapid rise to the top, it is the rounded nature of his game that ensures that Saka stands out as one of the most complete young players in England at the moment. How far could the youngster go?

What makes Bukayo Saka worth watching?

Despite not being an out and out natural forward, Saka has contributed an impressive 11 goals this year in all competitions. IN doing so, he has taken over 2 shots per game and tends to take the opponent on with aggressive, consistent dribbling. His ability to play in numerous roles within the team, too, is veery impressive. He has even played in the centre of the park a few times, offering Arsenal a versatile youngster who can attack from all angles.

By far and away his best position, though, has been on the right-hand side of attack, transforming the way that Gunners push forward. Really, his ability to attack, play one-twos, dribble past opponents, take opportune shots, and win set pieces is hugely impressive.

Things to improve for Bukayo Saka

For Saka, the main weakness definitely stems from staying in the game. He can flit out the game, to be expected at 19, but also tends to commit the crime of fading out of games quite badly on the defensive end. While this can be improved over time, it is the primary concern for the player.

If Saka can become more consistent defensively then he definitely stands a chance of being a quality box-to-box wide option for Arsenal for a long time to come.