Okay, here’s a breakdown of the key information from the provided text, focusing on the two players discussed – Thierno Barry and Jacob De Cuyper – and Everton‘s striker situation:
Thierno Barry (Everton)
Profile: A 6’5″ physical striker, acquired from Villarreal for €35m + add-ons.
Strengths:
Strong in the air (83rd percentile for aerial wins per 90, 98th percentile in aerial win percentage). Good at headed flick-ons.
Surprisingly good at carrying the ball – 76th percentile in carries into the final third and box (La Liga stats).
shows promising off-ball movement, including channel runs and working the blindside of defenders.His shot chart suggests he gets into good scoring positions.
Weaknesses:
Inconsistent first touch, especially when receiving passes with his back to goal.
Context: Everton has struggled for goals in open play in recent seasons (data provided showing a decline in ranking – from 11th in 2019-20 to T-19th in 2023-24). Barry is seen as a potential solution to this, especially given David moyes’ tactical preference for teams that don’t dominate possession in the final third.
Progress: Has shown linear growth in his career: belgium 2nd division -> Basel (Switzerland) -> Villarreal (Spain) -> Everton. If he continues to improve, his transfer fee could be considered a bargain.
Jacob De Cuyper (Brighton)
Profile: A 24-year-old left-back who offers immediate production, unlike some of Brighton’s other recent signings.
Strengths:
Exceptionally creative. Led the Belgian Pro League in key passes among defenders (68 – significantly more than others).
third in total key passes in the league, behind only Adem Zorgane and Jarne Steuckers.
Context: Brighton is known for its shrewd transfer business, identifying undervalued players with promising data profiles. De Cuyper is a more established player, suggesting Brighton is now also willing to spend to acquire players for more immediate impact.
Everton’s Striker situation (General)
The article highlights everton’s long-standing problem of finding a reliable, goal-scoring striker. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a “mobile target man” with potential, but inconsistent.
Beto was signed to be a physical presence, but it’s to early to judge his success.
Barry is the latest attempt to address the issue, fitting the current trend of physical strikers in the Premier League.
Overall Theme:
The article contrasts Everton’s need for a striker who can become a threat (Barry) with Brighton’s acquisition of a player (De Cuyper) who already is a threat in a specific area (creating chances). It also points to the increasing importance of data analysis in identifying players with potential in modern football.
What specific tactical adjustments might Chelsea make to best utilize Romelu Lukaku’s strengths in teh 2025/2026 season?
Premier League’s Most Intriguing Summer Transfers: PSG’s Cherki, Real Madrid’s Barry, and More
the 2025/2026 Premier League transfer window has delivered a flurry of activity, reshaping squads and igniting excitement amongst fans. Several key moves stand out,promising to substantially impact the upcoming season. Here’s a detailed look at some of the most intriguing transfers, analyzing how these new signings could influence their respective teams’ fortunes. You can find a complete overview of all official transfers at FootballDatabase.
High-Profile Attacking Reinforcements
Several clubs have focused on bolstering their attacking options, signaling intent to compete at the highest level.
Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku Return: The capture of Romelu lukaku from Inter Milan is a statement signing for Chelsea. Lukaku’s proven goal-scoring record and physical presence address a clear need for a reliable striker. This move is expected to instantly elevate Chelsea’s attacking threat.
Nottingham Forest’s Mads Depay: Landing Mads Depay from Lyon provides Nottingham Forest with a dynamic attacking option. Depay’s versatility and ability to both score and create chances will be crucial as Forest aims to solidify their position in the league.
Manchester United’s Antony & Amadou onana: Manchester United’s revamp continues with the additions of Antony from Flamengo and Amadou Onana from Club Brugge. These signings inject pace, skill, and defensive solidity into the midfield, addressing key areas for improvement.
