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Chris Rigg: Sunderland’s Teenage Starlet
At just 17 years old, Chris Rigg has already established himself in the first team of Championship leaders Sunderland. With 23 appearances this season, 22 of which have had his name in the starting XI, the Black Cats’ academy product is already showing he is more than ready for the big leagues. In a midfield…
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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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Nicolas Jackson: How Good is Chelsea’s Senegalese Striker?
All of the visuals 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! On June 30, 2023, Chelsea announced the signing of a relatively unknown Senegalese youngster, Nicolas Jackson from Villareal on an…
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Amir Richardson: Fiorentina’s New Midfield Metronome
There are few things more exciting in football than seeing a footballer with a unique profile. Imagine a lanky, press resistant, left-footed midfielder standing at 6’6, with excellent technical ability and close control, a profile so rare you have to witness it to believe it. Yet, out of France where midfielders abound, emerged a…
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Juan Cruz: Leganés’ Attacking Talisman
From Brahim Díaz to Iván Jaime to Dean Huijsen, Málaga’s academy has produced a treasure trove of top-class footballers in recent years. The latest player to emerge from Los Boquerones’ academy and excel at the highest level is none other than Juan Cruz Díaz Espósito. Born in Quilmes, Argentina, Juan Cruz moved across the Atlantic…
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Dário Essugo: Portugal’s Next Modern Midfielder
Sporting Clube de Portugal, or simply Sporting, has enjoyed a resurgence in the last two decades, highlighted by five domestic titles under former manager Ruben Amorim, including a league championship that ended a 19-year drought. Beyond trophies, Sporting’s academy has been a cornerstone of its success, producing talents like Gonçalo Inácio, Eduardo Quaresma, Geny Catamo,…
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From Journeyman to Talisman: The Rise of Chris Wood at Nottingham Forest
Chris Wood has always been a striker who thrives against the odds. From his early days in New Zealand to becoming Nottingham Forest’s talisman, Wood’s career has been a testament to resilience and adaptability. Now, in the 2024-2025 season, as Forest find themselves with a possibility of European qualification. Wood’s goals and all-around contributions…
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The Art of Carlos Baleba
How was he discovered by Brighton? What does he excel in? How high is his ceiling? Where is his perfect next move? Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba was born in Douala, Cameroon, in 2004. Growing up in a footballing environment, he thrived at youth level in his academy in Cameroon, originally playing as a…
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Jacopo Fazzini: Empoli’s Hidden Gem
Club: Empoli Nationality: Italy Position(s): CM, AM Preferred Foot: Right Height: 5’10”/178cm Age: 21 Strengths: agility, dribbling, passing variance, duels, defensive work-rate, press resistance, athleticism Areas of Development: application, strength It seems like every year, there’s a new interior midfielder who’s leaving one of Serie A’s smaller teams and taking his talents to one…
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Thierno Barry: Villarreal’s New Attacking Talisman
Last season, Villarreal went from battling relegation to competing for Europe and finishing eighth in the LaLiga table. They did so thanks to the exploits of Alexander Sørloth, whose 23 goals saw him finish as the second-top scorer in the Spanish top-flight behind Artem Dovbyk (24). With Atlético Madrid signing Sørloth for €32 million, Villarreal…
