A hidden gem similar to Kimmich, deep runs at restarts, why Miyazawa is a good signing for United and the intelligent movements of elite midfielders
Good morning tactics fans and welcome to the #TacticalThursday newsletter – full of analysis, scouting and tactics. Fill up on your football knowledge – follow the Total Football Analysis page and be part of the squad that want more than just a match report.
Our TFA Talent of the day is Martin Tavara of Sporting Cristal – a 24 y/o defensive midfielder who we think has the potential to make an immediate big impact for Tier 2 teams. Our xGOLD tool shows him as being similar to Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Munich.
Kortrijk are struggling in Belgium this season and Brandon Liss has taken a look at where Edward Still needs to improve the team.
Mounir Chouiar signs for Ludogorets – xGOLD identified Chouiar as an interesting free agent with similarities to Raphinha and Gabriel Martinelli and having video scouted him, our TIPPSTER model graded him as having the ability to have a medium Tier 1 impact. This is a great deal for Ludogorets.
Our Head of Set Piece Analysis Marcel Seifeddine takes a look at Fortuna Dusseldorf and their use of deep runs at restarts.
Zakaria El Ouahdi has transferred to Genk from RWDM for €2.5m – we scouted the young winger for a client back in March 2023 and tracked him at the end of last season, our TIPPSTER model grading him as being able to make a big impact immediately at Tier 2 level.
Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa has joined FAWSL side Manchester United off the back of her impressive World Cup in which she finished as the top scorer. We analysed her game and three potential European destinations for her this past summer — read about what the Red Devils can expect from their new signing.
Arsenal target Bitello has been linked to Saudi Arabia with their window still being open – we scouted the Gremio midfielder back in May 2023 and our TIPPSTER model graded him as being capable of a Tier 3 impact immediately with the potential to grow.
With Marco Verratti seemingly set to leave PSG and European football for Al Arabi in Qatar, treat yourself to a read of Scott Martin’s tactical theory picking apart key examples of intelligent movement of elite midfielders, with the Italian appearing as one of our featured players.
Along similar lines, Philippe Coutinho is reportedly on his way out of England and Aston Villa to join Al Duhail in Qatar. Check out our analysis of the Brazilian playmaker’s underrated 2019/20 season with FC Bayern to bid his European football career a farewell.
According to reports, Batista Mendy could be moving from Angers to Trabzonspor before the Turkish window shuts – xGOLD first identified Mendy as a similar profile to Cheick Doucoure of Crystal Palace back in January and we scouted him again recently, our TIPPSTER model grading him as making an immediate big impact for a Tier 1 club. This will be a great move for Trabzonspor if it happens as we recommended him to a Serie A club this summer.
Lastly, Jesse Lingard is one of the biggest names remaining on the free agents list. The Englishman demonstrated a lot of positive attributes during his time with West Ham in 2021/22, much of which influenced this player analysis piece. With the Irons and Lingard linked with a reunion, why not read back over our most recent scout report on the 30-year-old?
The September Total Football Analysis Magazine is on the digital shelves and ready for you to download – 25 articles covering all things tactics, scouting and data analysis. Get yours today!
That’s it for this today – we are back at the same time tomorrow. Spread the word!
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