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Pierre-Emile Højbjerg: Le Gladiateur de Marseille
To win in football, the midfield battle is key. This contest can be won in many ways, using diverse player profiles. Yet, most managers will tell you that balance is the one thing they crave from their midfielders. Whether it’s a two-man or three-man setup, the players in the engine room must complement each…
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Dilane Bakwa: Strasbourg’s Precocious Young Winger Destined for Stardom
Player Background: Early Career and Development In a Ligue 1 landscape that often shines its light on tricky and exciting wingers like Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, and Ousmane Dembélé, Dilane Bakwa is steadily carving out a name for himself at Strasbourg. Known for his flair and direct attacking style, Bakwa is becoming a well-recognised…
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Rayan Cherki: The Lyon Wonderkid Destined for Stardom
All of the telestrations in this article were made with the usage of Once Video Analyzer Elite. Download Once Sport here and use our discount code BTL10 to get an extra 10% discount off your purchase! Rayan Cherki has been playing senior level football for so long, it’s easy to forget he is still only…
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Analysing Mika Biereth: The Next Striker off the Sturm Graz Conveyor Belt… and onto the Monaco One
When assessing some of the most valuable transfers for under-23 players over recent years, there are certain trends that emerge – certain signs of a promising player. Perhaps it’s a player who’s come through a top-level academy, making a move to a slightly lesser quality, lower profile league where they can hone their craft without…
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Malick Fofana: Lyon’s Belgian Wonderkid Primed for a Big Move
France is widely regarded as the most consistent producer of young, first-team-ready talents that go on to be world-class. That reputation was earned on the back of one key thing that isn’t often talked about, with respect to its top division, Ligue 1; the fact that they give so many young players a platform to…
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Jonathan David: Lille’s Canadian Superstar in Attack
At 24 years of age, Jonathan David is staking a claim as one of the most in-form strikers in European football at the moment. Born in Brooklyn to Haitian parents, his family emigrated to Canada when he was just 6 years old. He played for various youth teams in Ottawa before joining Gent from Ottawa…
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Ayoub Bouaddi: Lille’s Teenage Prodigy
Club: LOSC Lille Nationality: France Position: CM, DM, AM Preferred Foot: Right Height: 5’9”/175cm Age: 17 Strengths: dribbling, composure, creativity, passing, IQ, press resistance, tackling, anticipation, carrying Areas for Development: physical maturity From Eden Hazard to Leny Yoro, from Lucas Digne to Benjamin Pavard, we’ve seen quite a few players go from developing in…
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Kamory Doumbia: Brest’s African Superstar Ready for European Football
It’s likely been an odd summer for Kamory Doumbia. He ended last season in remarkable fashion, playing all 90 minutes and assisting the opener in Brest’s 3-0 away victory at Toulouse to secure what was perhaps the most unforeseen UEFA Champions League qualification in all European leagues – even in a season that saw…
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The Rise and Fall of Girondins de Bordeaux
It was the 30th of March, 2010. Girondins de Bordeaux had a date with destiny, a chance to make their second ever Champions League semi final and their first in 25 years. Juventus had been the team to deny them a final appearance on that occasion in 1985, beating them 3-0 in the first leg…
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Willian Pacho: The Ecuadorian Youngster Making a Name for Himself at PSG
There is a new hotspot for scouts to turn their eyes to in South America, and it’s not the regular suspects. It’s not Brazil, Argentina or Uruguay; the big three, but rather the market disruptors; Ecuador. While many will only remember Carlos Tenorio, Hugo Rodallega, Antonio Valencia and probably Enner Valencia, the world has committed…
