Trent Alexander-Arnold

November 15, 2020 at 8:38 pm

Go back to his debut at Old Trafford for Liverpool, and the talent that Trent Alexander-Arnold was immediately noticeable. He handled what was a very challenging game away from home, and played well outside of the level that was expected. However, it’s quickly become apparent that Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the best attacking and defensive players in the world.

What makes Trent Alexander-Arnold stand out?

If you watch Trent Alexander-Arnold for more than a few passes, you can see that he was originally a midfielder. He used to play a controlling role in the middle of the park, and his vision – not to mention his diagonal switches – are world-class. So, too, is his ability to hold onto the ball and break off into space to create attacking chances for his teammates.

His passing is smooth, yet varied. He can play a cushioned short pass as easily and as quickly as he can a sharp diagonal. He can also take tremendous free kicks and corners, and his crossing is among the best in the world. It’s safe to say that from an attacking standpoint, few clubs in the world can be as confidently reliant on their full-back. Liverpool can, though, with the outstanding output that Trent Alexander-Arnold provides.

What does Trent Alexander-Arnold need to work on?

While many claim that Trent is a poor defender, the numbers say otherwise. He wins his fair share of tackles, and is a brilliant interceptor of the ball. His attacking instincts mean he’s caught up the pitch from time to time, but that’s a consequence of how his club play rather than anything to do with the player himself.

If Trent could improve even slightly on his defensive positioning, he’d be among the best players in the world. Right now, his only main issue is he isn’t scoring enough goals. Once he adds another 3-5 goals per season, he could realistically be the best full-back in world football.

Raúl Jiménez

September 3, 2020 at 8:39 pm

Raúl Jiménez

For Wolves fans, the arrival of striker Raúl Jiménez was a genuine game-changer for the club. Having been promoted to the Premier League with a good but incomplete squad, the Mexican was the forward they desperately needed. Hard working, aggressive, and increasingly prolific – there’s a reason why Raúl Jiménez is seen as one of the best forwards in the top flight today.

What makes Raúl Jiménez stand out?

Just about everything, really; Raul is the perfect modern forward. He’s an adept passer of the ball, but he’s equally accomplished at taking the ball in and/or shielding it. He’s a strong, aggressive player who likes to lay in his teammates. The definition of a selfless forward, he’s outstanding at keeping his team in the game when they need an out-ball.

By no means, though, is he merely a target man. No; the Mexican is a slick footballer with an array of finishes in his locker. He’s relatively strong on both feet, and he has a habit of scoring and assisting in the same game. He’s a player that Wolves fans will desperately hope is there to spearhead their charge for many years to come.

What does Raúl Jiménez need to work on?

The only thing that we would say that you could see Raúl Jiménez improving upon is his consistency in front of goal. While he regularly scored a good number of goals, he’s not a player who scored week-in, week-out. Were he to add a bit more consistency to his goal-getting, you could easily see him becoming one of the best forwards in the world.

Capable of dropping deep or playing right off the shoulder, he’s a striker who has it all. If he can add another 5-7 goals per season, though, he’d go up another level entirely.

Paul Pogba eyes Juventus reunion?

August 7, 2020 at 6:51 pm

Having batted his eyelids at Real Madrid for the last two seasons, it looks like Paul Pogba might make a different move. The France international has been one of the best players in the world at times, though rarely in the red of Manchester United. However, it looks like the Red Devils star is still more than highly rated enough back in his former club, Juventus.

The Turin-based giants are seemingly desperate to bring Pogba back and finish the uncompleted business of his previous stint. Having lost the UEFA Champions Final towards the end of his Juventus spell, Pogba has made it clear that he would like to win the trophy again. And with his time at United almost certain to end in the summer, a move back to Juventus seems more like a realistic possibility.

And with Real Madrid seemingly looking elsewhere to try and spread their budget out a touch further, a move back to Turin has just become that bit more likely. For now, though, it’s hard to say for sure what will happen next. The uncertainty caused by the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak means that it would be very hard indeed for any club to commit to a mass expenditure of funds.

For Pogba, though, leaving United is the priority. That’s been the angle around the player for some time now, and a move to UEFA Champions League giants like Juventus, as opposed to United who are still trying to return to the top table, would make a very wise decision.

It’s for this reason that we expect Pogba to be moving on, and most likely back to Italy. The links are strong, and the player himself seems to desire a return to Italy if various reports are to be believed. As ever, then, the discussion comes down to price; can Juventus give United a price they would take?

Emre Can

January 15, 2020 at 7:45 pm

 

Frankfurt-born star Emre Can is, without doubt, one of the most interesting players in the Premier League. With a unique combination of raw power and intensive tactical awareness, only injuries and contract uncertainty has stopped Can from establishing himself among the very best in the league. Still in his early 20s, though, the Liverpool man has all the time in the world to find that extra verve and consistency in both fitness and form.

 

With a level of power when moving with the ball that can make him resemble a locomotive, Can has long been a player of immense repute due to his physicality. Linked regularly to making a return to Germany with Bayern or to head to Turin and play for Juventus, he’s a player lauded for tactical acumen and a rich understanding of the game in front of him.

 

Over the years at Anfield, he’s gone through extensive ups and down, often caused by managerial misuse under Brendan Rodgers or injury latterly under Jürgen Klopp. However, the big German has often laid the foundations for his uniquely balanced skill-set to thrive, having long been a player who can break down defences with long range shooting, or impose himself on big games.

 

His ability to read the ball and play in several midfield roles makes him the kind of player that any modern manager would love to work with. Limitless stamina, endless capacity to improve and a never-say-die attitude has helped Can maintain his position as one of the most interesting young midfield talents in the Premier League at present.

 

Although he may yet move on come the summer of 2018 when his contract expires, it’s safe to say that for the last three seasons Can has regularly been an impressive performer at European level.