For some players, being dubbed the next [insert star name here] can be a burden. Simply put, the weight of expectation can crush them and no matter what they do with their career, there’s always a feeling that they underdelivered. However, a select few thrive in this sort of environment. Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland…
Navigating your way through the world of football content can be a bit of a minefield. There’s no manual for success and what audiences want can, and does, change on a daily basis. While there’s no shortcut to nailing it, there are a number of ways that you can build a rapport with your audience…
Football is made up of a number of individuals events, yet very rarely are they treated as such. On-ball actions are often bundled together to create heat maps. You’re then able to go a little more granular with touch maps, but it’s near impossible to differentiate a pass from a general touch or a ground…
Football is and forever has been perpetually evolving, but things have really sped up over the last decade. Previously, roles were defined by positions. Everyone had a rough idea of what to expect from each area of the pitch. Now, though, one position can be, and regularly is, filled by a number of players all…
Across Europe’s top five leagues, the assist table is filled with the usual suspects. The likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes, Ángel Di María and Jack Grealish. All creative players for their respective clubs. However, there are two names within the top 13 that do standout. Harry Kane (11) has been getting many plaudits…
As part of my role at Twenty3, I help out various departments and work alongside different people. It’s rare for me to work directly with my former editor, but the opportunity arose not so long ago. We discussed a few content ideas for my weekly column and one that I was really fond of was…
Football data is everywhere. There are free sites, such as WhoScored and FBRef, and premium offerings from Wyscout, StatsBomb and Opta. Stats are used to antagonise and inform. They’re used as argument makers and argument breakers. However, all of this data doesn’t come with a manual and there are plenty of potential pitfalls when using…
Everyone involved in the world of football had the same question in October – how would Liverpool replace Virgil van Dijk? The Dutchman hobbled off in the Merseyside derby. It was later confirmed that he had suffered an ACL injury and that he’d likely not be seen on the pitch again this season. The one…
Football is and forever has been perpetually evolving, but things have really sped up over the last decade. Previously, roles were defined by positions. Everyone had a rough idea of what to expect from each area of the pitch. Now, though, one position can be, and regularly is, filled by a number of players all…
Eintracht Frankfurt have a habit of taking undervalued strikers and turning them into goal machines. Sébastien Haller and Luka Jović both caught the eye when calling the Deutsche Bank Park home. Their impressive output resulted in West Ham breaking their club record to sign the former, while the latter moved to Real Madrid, with the…