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Ali Tweedale

@alitweedale.bsky.social
1.3K followers 164 following 105 posts

Football data for Opta Analyst theanalyst.com/eu/author/alistair-t…

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Reposted by Ali Tweedale
brian mcdonnell @sixtwofourtwo.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
In an age when fans want limitless spending on shiny new signings, @alitweedale.bsky.social asks whether less change can sometimes be more beneficial (for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com) theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
theanalyst.com
Mass Overhaul or Squad Continuity: What is the Recipe for Premier League Success? | Opta Analyst
In an age when fans wants limitless spending on shiny new signings, we ask whether less change can sometimes be more beneficial.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
You can't watch all 72 group games, so here are 10 to make sure you don't miss www.theguardian.com/football/202...
theguardian.com
Don’t have time to watch 72 World Cup group games? Here are 10 not to miss
Watching 108 hours of football is not for everyone but there are some crackers in the group stage, including Scotland v Brazil, Netherlands v Japan and France v Senegal
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Some interactive fun on England's 10-year road to being among the favourites to win this World Cup, with magic from @petermckeever.bsky.social
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
this is an absolutely incredible piece of work www.theguardian.com/football/ng-...
theguardian.com
World Cup 2026: guide to all 1,248 players
Everything you need to know (and more) about every squad member. Click on the player pictures for more information
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
PSG have been able to rotate in league games a crazy amount. Marquinhos and Nuno Mendes have played more minutes in the #UCL than they have in Ligue 1. Does it mean they have an (unfair) advantage over Arsenal on Saturday? theanalyst.com/articles/psg...
theanalyst.com
Rotated PSG vs Exhausted Arsenal: Will Fatigue Decide Champions League Final? | Opta Analyst
Paris Saint-Germain have been able to rest key players throughout their domestic campaign, and that could give them the upper hand against Arsenal this weekend.
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 12/05/2026
Few could have foreseen Kinsky excelling for Spurs after his disaster in Madrid, but, against the odds, he is staking a claim to hold on to the number one jersey. theanalyst.com/articles/ant...
theanalyst.com
Against All Expectations, Antonín Kinsky Has Emerged as Spurs’ Shock Hero | Opta Analyst
Antonín Kinsky put in his best Tottenham performance in the draw with Leeds on Monday night, staking his claim to keep hold of the number one jersey.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Spurs are relying on away points more than any other team in Premier League history. They may well need to change that in the last few games of the season if they are to survive. theanalyst.com/articles/tot...
theanalyst.com
Tottenham Rely on Away Form More Than Anyone Else in Premier League History. Will it Matter? | Opta Analyst
Tottenham are battling relegation, but only the two Premier League title chasers have won more points away from home than them. Is this a good recipe for survival?
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
theanalyst.com/articles/opt...
theanalyst.com
'Helping Shape How the Game is Understood': Opta Analyst Wins 2025 SJA Specialist Publisher | Opta Analyst
Opta Analyst was named Specialist Publisher of the Year at Monday night's 2025 SJA British Sports Journalism Awards.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
De Zerbi: "This team can win five games in a row." No team has ever been in the relegation zone with five games of a season remaining and won all of their last five games. 18 teams have won 3 or 4 out of 5, which should be enough for Spurs. theanalyst.com/articles/spu...
theanalyst.com
Roberto De Zerbi Says Spurs ‘Can Win Five Games in a Row’. Is He Right? | Opta Analyst
Spurs are without a win in 15 Premier League games, but Roberto De Zerbi believes they can turn it around and avoid relegation. Is an escape at all realistic?
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
Square it.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
tell me my club's clueless without telling me my club's clueless
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Tottenham have chucked in 74 long throws in PL games this season, and haven't scored a single goal from any of them. Are long throws more trouble than they're worth? theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
theanalyst.com
Are Long Throws Actually a Waste of Everyone’s Time? | Opta Analyst
Premier League teams are all attacking with long throw-ins this season, but very few are scoring goals from them consistently.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Maybe nobody can fix Spurs, but Igor Tudor definitely can't. theanalyst.com/articles/tot...
theanalyst.com
Maybe Nobody Can Fix Tottenham, But Igor Tudor Definitely Can’t | Opta Analyst
Tottenham are sinking towards relegation and, after a disastrous night at Atlético Madrid, are all but out of the Champions League.
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Reposted by Ali Tweedale
Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 19/02/2026
Igor Tudor was perhaps a surprising option to be tasked with helping Tottenham avoid relegation. @alitweedale.bsky.social has taken a look at the Croatian's record and what impact he might be able to have in north London. #THFC theanalyst.com/articles/igo...
theanalyst.com
Igor Tudor Has Improved Results Wherever He Has Gone – Can He Save Injury-Hit Spurs? | Opta Analyst
Igor Tudor is the man tasked with saving Tottenham from relegation. He has a good track record in Italy, but can he turn things around in north London?
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Reposted by Ali Tweedale
Peter McKeever @petermckeever.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Been a long time since I’ve worked on some #dataviz for the site. A small scrolly for a piece by @alitweedale.bsky.social 🛩️
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
On a miserable mistake which, after today, needs to be left firmly in the past. theanalyst.com/articles/tho...
theanalyst.com
Thomas Frank Sacked: Why Tottenham Had to Admit This Appointment Was a Terrible Mistake | Opta Analyst
Tottenham have sacked Thomas Frank after sliding towards the relegation zone with a dreadful run. However, the writing has been on the wall for months.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Why do goal-shy Spurs score so many wondergoals? theanalyst.com/articles/spu...
theanalyst.com
Is it a Problem That Spurs Score So Many Wondergoals? | Opta Analyst
Tottenham have caught the eye consistently this season with impressive goals. We look into why that is the case when they aren’t generally a high-scoring team.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
An absolutely sensational piece from @jrcooper26.bsky.social here. No idea how he even came up with the idea for most of these. The stats you didn't realise you need to know about James Milner: theanalyst.com/articles/jam...
theanalyst.com
The Staggering Stats You (Didn't Realise You) Need to Know About James Milner's Premier League Career | Opta Analyst
With James Milner set to equal the Premier League appearance record, we look at the stats surrounding his career so far in the English top flight.
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Reposted by Ali Tweedale
brian mcdonnell @sixtwofourtwo.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Happily, we can use Opta Vision data to identify and measure the quality of Enzo Fernández’s box-crashing runs for Chelsea (analysis via @alitweedale.bsky.social for @optaanalyst.optajoe.com) theanalyst.com/articles/enz...
theanalyst.com
Chelsea's Box-Crasher: Enzo Fernández Makes the Most Valuable Runs in the Premier League | Opta Analyst
Enzo Fernández completed a historic comeback win for Chelsea at the weekend after a goal following a run from deep, the type of which is increasingly becoming his trademark.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
PL teams dominated the top eight in the CL this season, and I think that's in part because some of them had easier fixtures. Here's one simple solution that could help level the playing field in the 'new' league phase. theanalyst.com/articles/cha...
theanalyst.com
Does Champions League Fixture Difficulty Carry Too Much Weight in 36-Team Format? | Opta Analyst
Following the conclusion of the league phase of the Champions League 2025-26, we ask whether the draw has too big an impact on the competition.
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Reposted by Ali Tweedale
Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 22/01/2026
There's no two ways about it: Tottenham have been terrible under Thomas Frank. The warning signs were there way back in October, when they were third in the PL but had dreadful underlying numbers. Now 14th in the actual table, there's no saving Frank. theanalyst.com/articles/tot...
theanalyst.com
Tottenham’s Champions League Position Cannot Save Doomed Thomas Frank | Opta Analyst
Tottenham’s underlying numbers are as bad as their Premier League position suggests. There is little reason to believe Thomas Frank can turn this around.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Really nice piece here from @rbenson92.bsky.social on what Conor Gallagher will bring to Spurs... and what he won't. Far from the perfect signing but there are some things to be positive about. Frank wants his team to press more: Gallagher + Solanke might allow that. theanalyst.com/articles/con...
theanalyst.com
Conor Gallagher Will Improve Tottenham’s Midfield, Even if He Doesn’t Fix It | Opta Analyst
Although Conor Gallagher probably doesn't address Tottenham's most obvious needs, the England international could plenty to Thomas Frank's team.
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Reposted by Ali Tweedale
Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 07/01/2026
Mikel Arteta insists Viktor Gyökeres makes Arsenal better. They are six points clear at the top of the table, but the 'natural goalscorer' they signed in the summer only has three non-penalty goals in 18 PL appearances. So, what's the truth? Is Arteta right? theanalyst.com/articles/vik...
theanalyst.com
Is Mikel Arteta Right: Are Arsenal Better With Viktor Gyökeres? | Opta Analyst
Viktor Gyökeres was brought to Arsenal to score the goals to fire them to the title. He hasn't done that, but his manager insists he is improving the team.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Micky van de Ven's 67.7m run last night was the longest ball carry ending in a goal ever in a Champions League game in Opta's record books. Hard to say whether it was better or worse than Son's, but it was nearly 5m shorter. theanalyst.com/articles/mic...
theanalyst.com
Micky van de Ven’s Record-Breaking Strike and the Longest Runs For a Champions League Goal | Opta Analyst
Micky van de Ven ran the length of the pitch to score one of the great Champions League goals this week, but where does it rank among the competition’s longest such runs?
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Piece on Tottenham's woeful performance on Saturday and what their pitiful xG of 0.1 means. They would have needed to carry on playing (at this exact rate) for 10 matches to score a single goal. theanalyst.com/articles/spu...
theanalyst.com
Three Shots, 0.1 xG: Just How Bad Were Spurs Against Chelsea? | Opta Analyst
Against Chelsea this weekend, Tottenham posted one of the lowest expected goals totals in Opta’s Premier League record books.
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Reposted by Ali Tweedale
👻 upiorny opuszczony 👻 @37h3r.net · 30/10/2025
silver linings, etc. theanalyst.com/articles/tot...
theanalyst.com
Tottenham’s Progress With the Ball Makes Newcastle Defeat Easier to Take | Opta Analyst
Tottenham were knocked out of the EFL Cup by Newcastle on Wednesday, but there were signs from their performance of some crucial improvement under Thomas Frank.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Is a timer needed for throw-ins? Each PL game is being delayed by 11 mins, 21 secs this season purely for throw-ins - an increase of 2m, 31s on last season. I took a look at how this season's set-piece 'craze' is affecting Premier League football. theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
theanalyst.com
Monster Throw-In Delays and Less Football, But Better Competition: Is Set-Piece Craze Good for the Premier League? | Opta Analyst
Set-piece goals are up across the board in the Premier League. Plenty of people are moaning about this latest trend. But could it actually be good for the league?
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 24/10/2025
Coventry City are on a five-game winning run. They have NEVER won six league games in a row in a single season before. Maybe 2025-26 is going to be special... theanalyst.com/articles/cov...
theanalyst.com
Frank Lampard and Coventry City Can Turn Dreams of a Top-Flight Return Into Reality | Opta Analyst
Coventry City are top of the Championship and they deserve to be there. Is this the season they finally end their 24-year absence from the Premier League?
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
This season, fewer goals are being scored than in most other Premier League seasons... ...but we're seeing the highest ever rate of 90th-minute goals AND 90th-minute winners. I had a go at trying to work out why this might be theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
theanalyst.com
Why Are Premier League 90th-Minute Winners at an All-Time High? | Opta Analyst
The Premier League in 2025-26 is witnessing more late goals and winners than any other season in the competition's history.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
Last night, Spurs passed the ball to Richarlison just seven times all night. Five of those passes were made Porro, Danso or Vicario. *All* of their midfielders found their CF twice in total. There are real problems for Thomas Frank to deal with. theanalyst.com/articles/tot...
theanalyst.com
Fourth in the Premier League, Unbeaten in the Champions League, But Thomas Frank's Tottenham Are Flattering to Deceive | Opta Analyst
Tottenham's bright start to life under Thomas Frank has lost momentum already. Is there any reason to worry about the poor performances?
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 25/09/2025
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐎𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞? It's too early for sweeping declarations and drawing conclusions. But, Premier League goals are significantly down this season... Here, @alitweedale.bsky.social asks if this is likely to continue or just an early-season quirk: theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
theanalyst.com
Premier League Goals Have Dipped Dramatically After Years of High Scoring Rates – But Why? | Opta Analyst
It’s still early days in the new season, but goals are being scored at a remarkably low rate in the Premier League. We ask: will this surprise trend continue?
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Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 24/09/2025
Crystal Palace are in sensational form. Currently on a 17-game unbeaten run, they could equal their all-time club record sequence this weekend. Is this the best that they've ever been? @alitweedale.bsky.social analyses their qualities ahead of their game vs Liverpool: theanalyst.com/articles/cry...
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
A deep dive into the Donnarumma vs Ederson debate, how much worse GD's passing really is, and what it all means for the role of Premier League goalkeepers. Pep has revolutionised the role once, but is he following a trend this time around? theanalyst.com/articles/gia...
theanalyst.com
From Ederson to Gianluigi Donnarumma: Pep Guardiola's Choice Shows Role of Goalkeeper is Changing Again | Opta Analyst
Pep Guardiola and Ederson revolutionised the role of the goalkeeper in the Premier League, so is Manchester City signing Gianluigi Donnarumma a sign of things to come?
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
- Kick-offs up to seven minutes late - a half-time break of 24 minutes (even though the show was only 10 mins) - weather delays of more than two hours - matches lasting longer than any of Europe's leagues Was this what next summer's WC will be like? theanalyst.com/articles/clu...
theanalyst.com
Late Kick-Offs, Long Breaks and Two-Hour Delays: Club World Cup Hints at Problems for World Cup 2026 | Opta Analyst
There were numerous issues at the Club World Cup this summer that suggest the 2026 World Cup may not run entirely smoothly.
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Reposted by Ali Tweedale
Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 23/06/2025
𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐦’𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐠-𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐦𝐚 Spurs won just one of the 14 Premier League games their captain didn't start in 2024-25. But towards the end of the season, he looked far from the player he once was. So, what should they do with him this summer? theanalyst.com/articles/son...
theanalyst.com
Tottenham’s Son Heung-min Dilemma: Cash in or Keep Club Legend for One More Year? | Opta Analyst
Son Heung-min didn't have the best season on an individual level, and he turns 33 next month. With one year left on his contract, is it time for Spurs to wave goodbye to a club legend?
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Data vs vibes: the big Ange debate. Should Spurs sack Postecoglou? Here I make the case for sacking him, and the case against it. theanalyst.com/articles/spu...
theanalyst.com
Should Spurs Sack Ange Postecoglou? The Case For and Against Wielding the Axe | Opta Analyst
The debate over whether Tottenham should stick by Ange Postecoglou in the wake of Europa League glory is a polarising one. We look at both sides of the argument.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Big piece on how Ange Postecoglou has gone from a focus on progress and the journey to a whatever-it-takes-to-win-the-next-game approach. What does it mean for this week and beyond at Tottenham? theanalyst.com/2025/05/tott...
theanalyst.com
Angeball Has Gone, But Does it Matter? | Opta Analyst
Tottenham are no longer playing the football that Ange Postecoglou had insisted he would never veer from, but his new pragmatism has them on the brink of Europa League glory.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
Spurs Bluesky, can you help me out? A friend and I are flying Tues-Thurs to Zaragoza and our transport to/from Bilbao has fallen through. Anyone on those Stansted/Zaragoza flights with space for two and up for splitting the cost of your transport? Any help/RTs appreciated! Thanks!
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
The entire population of the Arctic Circle town of Glimt would fill two-thirds of the Spurs stadium. Bodo/Glimt's fans take giant yellow toothbrushes to games. They sound very much like plucky underdogs, but have shown they should not be underestimated. theanalyst.com/2025/04/bodo...
theanalyst.com
Bodø/Glimt Might Not be European Heavyweights but Spurs Would be Mad to Underestimate Them | Opta Analyst
You might think Bodø/Glimt are underdogs for their Europa League semi-final with Spurs, but they've proved that they should not be doubted.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
The entire population of the Arctic Circle town of Glimt would fill two-thirds of the Spurs stadium. Bodo/Glimt's fans take giant yellow toothbrushes to games. They sound very much like plucky underdogs, but have shown they should not be underestimated. theanalyst.com/2025/04/bodo...
theanalyst.com
Bodø/Glimt Might Not be European Heavyweights but Spurs Would be Mad to Underestimate Them | Opta Analyst
You might think Bodø/Glimt are underdogs for their Europa League semi-final with Spurs, but they've proved that they should not be doubted.
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Reposted by Ali Tweedale
Opta Analyst @optaanalyst.optajoe.com · 28/04/2025
𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐬 𝐏𝐒𝐆: Six Key Subplots 😩 Busy left-backs 🎮 PSG's control 🟥 Arsenal's absence 🔬 Goalkeepers under the microscope Ahead of Tuesday's UCL semi-final first leg, @alitweedale.bsky.social & @rbenson92.bsky.social analysed potentially decisive areas/battles ⬇️ theanalyst.com/2025/04/arse...
theanalyst.com
Arsenal vs PSG: Six Semi-Final Subplots That Could Decide the Tie | Opta Analyst
We look ahead Arsenal vs PSG in the Champions League by identifying some key elements to keep an eye on across their semi-final.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Spurs could feasibly get £60m+ for Cristian Romero this summer. That makes selling him worth at least considering. Piece here on whether it might be a tough decision worth taking. theanalyst.com/2025/04/cris...
theanalyst.com
Is It Time for Spurs to Cash in on Cristian Romero? | Opta Analyst
Cristian Romero is a valuable member of the Tottenham team, but there is an argument they should consider selling him to help fund a summer rebuild.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Last night was proof that PSG and Barcelona are far from flawless. Their semi-final opponents will have liked what they saw. theanalyst.com/eu/2025/04/p...
theanalyst.com
PSG and Barcelona’s Night of Fallibility Proves Champions League Is Wide Open | Opta Analyst
PSG and Barcelona are now the favourites to win the Champions League, but in losing their respective quarter-final second legs, they both showed they have flaws.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Spurs could feasibly get £60m+ for Cristian Romero this summer. That makes selling him worth at least considering. Piece here on whether it might be a tough decision worth taking. theanalyst.com/2025/04/cris...
theanalyst.com
Is It Time for Spurs to Cash in on Cristian Romero? | Opta Analyst
Cristian Romero is a valuable member of the Tottenham team, but there is an argument they should consider selling him to help fund a summer rebuild.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
4/8 #ucl quarter-finalists could win the treble this season, and they have all been kept apart in the draw, too. Also, Real and Barca are on opposite sides. The CL could be in for a very, very high-stakes Clasico crescendo...
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Such a good piece from @rbenson92.bsky.social here on Tyler Dibling's strengths and shortcomings. He's not worth £100m and might be better staying off at Southampton, but there would still be plenty to get excited about for anyone signing him this summer theanalyst.com/eu/2025/04/t...
theanalyst.com
Tyler Dibling: Already a £100m Player or a Prospect Who’d Benefit From a Season in the Championship? | Opta Analyst
Southampton's Tyler Dibling will be linked with Premier League clubs when Saints are relegated, but would that be the best move for his development?
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Write this about Anthony Elanga's ball-carrying and two-footedness during the international break. On show again with that goal last night theanalyst.com/2025/03/anth...
theanalyst.com
Two-Footed and a Ball-Carrying Menace: Anthony Elanga is a Rare Premier League Commodity | Opta Analyst
Anthony Elanga is more comfortable than most shooting with either foot. We take a look at his impressive numbers in a thriving Nottingham Forest side.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Is Pep Guardiola right? Is "modern football" becoming more transition-based? Teams playing fast and direct football are doing well this season, so maybe he's got a point. theanalyst.com/eu/2025/03/p...
theanalyst.com
How Counter-Attacking, Transitions and Verticality Are Shaping Modern Premier League Football | Opta Analyst
With Pep Guardiola acknowledging the growing importance of transitions, we examine how direct attacks are influencing the Premier League more than ever.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
- David Raya the fastest GK - Bernardo Silva the slowest player - Matheus Cunha spends more time walking than anyone else - Tomas Soucek never stops - Murillo covers the least ground A bit of international-break fun looking at tracking data for the PL 2024-25. theanalyst.com/2025/03/prem...
theanalyst.com
Which Premier League Players Walk, Run and Sprint the Most, Least, Fastest and Slowest? | Opta Analyst
We delve into Opta's well of tracking data to look at the Premier League players who stand out in 2024-25 for their physical output.
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Ali Tweedale @alitweedale.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
No need to look at the ball
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