Player Analysis - BackseatBaller

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Player Analysis

A collection of 14 posts

Mateus Fernandes: Built For A Bigger Stage

Player Analysis Featured

Mateus Fernandes: Built For A Bigger Stage

The confirmation of Tottenham’s survival in the Premier League on the final game of the 25/26 season caused mixed reactions depending on club allegiances. Arsenal fans will have felt slightly disappointed that their best case scenario didn’t play out (although most of them are happy enough with

Elliot Anderson: Forest's All-Purpose Engine

Player Analysis Featured

Elliot Anderson: Forest's All-Purpose Engine

We’re only about ten matches into the Premier League season, but it’s already possible to pick out some standout performers. Elliot Anderson is one of those players, and his links to Manchester United and Newcastle are just as unsurprising as his recent England callups. The Nottingham Forest midfielder

One To Watch: Mika Biereth

Player Analysis

One To Watch: Mika Biereth

In a world of false 9s, “9.5”s, and actual midfielders playing up front, it seems like the poacher is something of a lost art in football. You can call them tap in merchants or goal hangers, but the finishing ability and inevitability of a poacher is an asset

One To Watch: Bryan Mbeumo

Player Analysis

One To Watch: Bryan Mbeumo

Some players don’t need to do a lot to get a lot of attention. Sometimes it’s justified: every goal from Mo Salah is either a record-breaker or close to one. Sometimes the attention can be questionable: it seems like Bruno Fernandes can’t catch a break, despite

Omar Marmoush, The Bundesliga's Next Star Product

Player Analysis

Omar Marmoush, The Bundesliga's Next Star Product

The Bundesliga is a very fun league. High pace transitions, lots of goals, and interesting battles in the Champions League and relegation places. We even got a non-Bayern winner last season. But one aspect of the Bundesliga that I love is the emergence of new superstars every year, especially

Viktor Gyökeres, The Striker Your Club Needs

Player Analysis

Viktor Gyökeres, The Striker Your Club Needs

I’m going to skip the formalities here. Your club needs to sign Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting. An elite finisher, ball carrier and duellist, Gyökeres would be an asset to any team that he joined. Despite hitting 10 goals and assists in 6 games at the time of writing, it’

Why Olise would be a Perfect Fit for United

Transfer Analysis

Why Olise would be a Perfect Fit for United

Crystal Palace finished 10th in the Premier League this season. That doesn’t sound like much, but considering the precarious position the London club found themselves in earlier in the season, this is a big accomplishment. Considering the fact that Palace haven’t finished this high in the league since

One To Watch - Daichi Kamada

Player Analysis

One To Watch - Daichi Kamada

January always brings a certain type of player to the forefront of transfer discussions: the free agent. Thanks to a certain Mr Bosman, players can speak to clubs six months before the end of their current contract. If agreed upon, the player will be able to move for free after

The Evolution of Jude Bellingham

Player Analysis

The Evolution of Jude Bellingham

You’ve probably seen the memes by now. Real Madrid’s latest hit no longer goes by “Jude Bellingham”, but now by “Belligol”. This name was bestowed on the Englishman after his goalscoring antics this season in La Liga. A single-handed snatching of 3 points against Barcelona this season

Declan Rice or Moises Caicedo... or Both?

Transfer Analysis

Declan Rice or Moises Caicedo... or Both?

Midfielders are a hot topic right now. A large amount of Europe’s elite teams are in a bit of a midfield deficit, and are looking to strengthen their ranks in this summer transfer window (unless you’re Manchester City, in which case you can just convert a centre-back

Jadon Sancho: Misfiring or Misunderstood?

Player Analysis

Jadon Sancho: Misfiring or Misunderstood?

When Jadon Sancho finally moved to Manchester United in the summer of 2021 after almost a year long pursuit, a lot of fans expected the winger to hit the ground running. That didn’t happen, and now in 2023, some are even questioning whether it might be best to part

One To Watch: Rafael Leão

Player Analysis

One To Watch: Rafael Leão

22nd May 2022. The fulltime whistle blows at the Mapei Stadium, leading to red and black cheers across the stadium. The season has ended, and AC Milan have won their first Serie A title in a decade. A trophy presentation followed as the Rossoneri celebrated their official return to the

Ciro Immobile: Admired At Home, Forgotten Abroad

Player Analysis

Ciro Immobile: Admired At Home, Forgotten Abroad

Ciro Immobile is name that football fans will likely have heard of in some capacity. The Lazio striker has been something of a household name within Italy for years after moving from Sevilla in 2016. The 32-year-old Italian is also remembered for his dangerous strike partnership with Pierre

Borna Sosa: The Answer To United’s Fullback Issues?

Player Analysis

Borna Sosa: The Answer To United’s Fullback Issues?

Right now, Manchester United are revving up the gears to kickstart their rebuild under Erik Ten Hag. If United choose to go down the route suggested by current interim Ralf Rangnick, then a squad overhaul looks almost certain, with new faces in almost every position needed. So, it’s no