Seven Day Elite Programme 

First, we look for how comfortable the player is on the ball. Then, how comfortable is the player on the ball when they receive it? A player’s chances of success are greater if he receives the ball well throughout the game.

When a player receives a ball, what do they do with it? This is another vital aspect of the game. Which play do they choose? Are they looking to pass forward? Can they make a quick decision about passing/running when given the ball?

When analyzing a player, we need to look at their movement on and off the ball. What options do they give their teammates when they don’t have the ball? Do they keep track of their opponents’ runs? Are they looking to move into positions where teammates have an outlet when they regain possession? To create space for their teammates, what runs do they make? What is their movement like? Is their balance good?

It’s something we look for at a certain age. If the player is at the age to sign their first contract, it’s important to assess how well they understand their team’s system, both defensively and offensively. The player has to know their role; what is expected of them when they have the ball and when out of possession. Positions have different characteristics, and players must understand what is expected of them tactically and positionally. Do they take up good positions when in and out of possession?

We assess a player’s composure on and off the field. A player with poor body language will find it hard to maintain good composure around teammates, referees, fans, and the media in the future. When we sign a player, we take that into consideration. A player’s character on and off the field is important to us.