Name: Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Date of Birth: November 26, 1997

Place of Birth: Croydon, London, England

Nationality: English

Position: Right-back

Preferred Foot: Right foot

Early Life and Youth Career

Born in Croydon to Congolese parents, Aaron Wan-Bissaka joined the Crystal Palace Academy at the age of 11. Initially playing as a winger, he was later converted into a right-back, a position where he would make his mark. His development in the Crystal Palace youth system was rapid, with his defensive capabilities and stamina catching the attention of the coaches.

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Professional Career

Crystal Palace (2016–2019)

Wan-Bissaka made his professional debut for Crystal Palace on February 25, 2018, in a Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur. His performance was highly praised, and he quickly became the first-choice right-back for the team. The 2018-2019 season was his breakthrough year, during which he made 35 Premier League appearances and was named Crystal Palace’s Player of the Year.

Manchester United (2019–2024)

In July 2019, Wan-Bissaka transferred to Manchester United for a reported fee of around £50 million, making him one of the most expensive defenders in football at the time. At United, he established himself as the starting right-back, renowned for his one-on-one defending, pace, and crucial tackles. He played a significant role in Manchester United’s domestic and European campaigns, contributing to their defensive solidity.

Playing Style

Wan-Bissaka is known for his exceptional defensive abilities, particularly his tackling. His key attributes include:

• Tackling Ability: Regarded as one of the best tacklers in the Premier League, Wan-Bissaka has a knack for perfectly timed challenges, often using his long legs to win the ball cleanly from opponents.

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• Defensive Positioning: His strong positioning allows him to effectively close down wingers and prevent crosses. He rarely gets beaten on his side of the pitch.Pace: Wan-Bissaka is very quick, which helps him recover and track back to stop counter-attacks, keeping up with even the fastest wingers.

• Dribbling and Ball Recovery: He is good at dribbling out of tight situations and making interceptions, helping his team regain possession.Offensive Contributions: While his primary strengths lie in defense, Wan-Bissaka has worked on improving his attacking play, particularly his crossing and overlapping runs. However, this is still an area where he is developing compared to other modern full-backs.

International Career

Wan-Bissaka has represented England at various youth levels, including the U20 and U21 teams. Despite his consistent club performances, his opportunities with the senior England team have been limited due to strong competition from other right-backs like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, and Kyle Walker. Due to his Congolese heritage, he was also eligible to represent the Democratic Republic of Congo at the international level but has committed to England.

Recent Transfer: West Ham United (2024–Present)

In August 2024, Aaron Wan-Bissaka transferred from Manchester United to West Ham United for a fee of £15 million, signing a seven-year contract. This move brings him back to London, where he began his career. At West Ham, Wan-Bissaka is expected to be a key player under manager Julen Lopetegui, especially given his defensive prowess and Premier League experience. Despite facing limited playing time at Manchester United due to the arrival of new players, Wan-Bissaka’s return to London provides him with a fresh start and an opportunity to re-establish himself as one of the top right-backs in the league.

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Areas for Improvement

While Wan-Bissaka excels defensively, there are several aspects of his game that require improvement:

• Crossing: His crossing ability is inconsistent. Improving the accuracy and timing of his crosses would make him more effective in the final third.

• Positioning in Attack: Wan-Bissaka needs to work on his positioning when his team is in possession, as he sometimes lags in providing width and supporting the attack.

• Passing Range: He often opts for safer, shorter passes rather than progressive ones that could break lines. Enhancing his passing range would improve his contribution to his team’s build-up play.

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• Ball Distribution: Improving his vision and ability to make quick, accurate passes under pressure would help him contribute more effectively to his team’s offense.

• Ball Retention: Wan-Bissaka sometimes struggles to maintain composure when pressed aggressively, leading to turnovers. Enhancing his ability to maintain possession under pressure would reduce these errors.

• Decision-Making in the Final Third: He sometimes hesitates or makes poor decisions when venturing forward. Developing his decision-making, particularly when to cross or pass, would make him a more well-rounded full-back.

• Heading: Improving his aerial ability, especially during defensive set-pieces, would add another dimension to his defensive game.

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Conclusion

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a defensive powerhouse with remarkable tackling and positioning skills that make him one of the best right-backs in the Premier League. His recent move to West Ham United offers him a chance to further develop his game, particularly in areas where he has room for growth, such as his attacking contributions and passing range. If he can refine these aspects, Wan-Bissaka has the potential to become a more complete and versatile player, capable of excelling on both ends of the pitch.

By: @Kadmiel_0

Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Hamish Brown