First Time Finish

In depth interviews, analysis and telling untold stories at the heart of football ✨⚽

Founded by: @BenBocsak, @NinadB_06 & @tomd_underhill.

[First Time Finish @firsttimefinish]

🗣️“The most exciting thing about him is that he has another two levels to go. It’s scary."

@BenBocsak spoke to @right2dream scout @jeremy_seethal about the exciting talent of @Kamaldeenho10.

https://t.co/2ET5m2R4qB

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

🇨🇮 Yan Diomande created the most chances (5) on the pitch last night against one of the best defences at the tournament.

Cause Hincapie so many problems. He could not handle him.

Diomande proved so many of my points in this piece I wrote months ago 👇

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

🇩🇪 Kennet Eichhorn has everything to be an elite central midfielder in Europe's top five leagues.

At 16-years-old what he did at Hertha last season was special.

The things that standout to me about him are his physical and technical attributes combined with his footballing IQ.

He's already so strong in winning duels. Uses his body really well. Comfortable coming up against strong contact. His physicality has helped him transition to senior football.

🧠 But it's not just his physicality. His footballing IQ is elite. Very good at timing his movements, already has a good positional awareness playing in multiple roles at Hertha over the course of the season.

He is extremely mature for a player of his age. Constantly makes the right decisions and is very aware of his surroundings at all times. Lots of scanning when he's not in possession.

And then you have the technical side of his game. He has an excellent first touch, very press resistant and has a great range of passing. Constantly looking to play forward.

At his age anything can happen, but if he maintains his current trajectory, he could become a key player for Germany at international level and at an elite level club in Europe.

At youth level he played a slightly deeper CDM role but I think his future probably lies as a no.8.

Would be a phenomenal signing at the current €10m fee that is being discussed at the moment.

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

@JacobsBen Might be one of the best players I've ever seen playing in the Hungarian league.

Crazy potential.

https://t.co/Fg3LSijSse

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

🇨🇮 Huge fan of right-back Guéla Doué, the older brother of Desire.

He can also play as a wing-back and even as a CB.

Just scored and assisted in a 2-1 victory for Ivory Coast over France.

Tall, athletic profile. Has a great engine and defends the channels really well. Excellent anticipation and very comfortable on the ball.

Only 23-years-old. Expect him to make a big move soon.

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

Andoni Iraola up against Philippe Coutinho in 2012.

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

🇧🇪 With Andoni Iraola coming to Liverpool, I think Matias Fernandez-Pardo could thrive under him.

He's got the perfect profile for Iraola's system.

Written analysis here: https://t.co/rnV7AJK3P9

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 All three of Joshua Abe, Josh Sonni-Lambie and Erik Farkas (if he stays) could play a role in pre-season under Andoni Iraola this summer.

They’re tailor-made for Iraola ball. Sonni-Lambie in the Kroupi role is something I’d love to see.

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

🇬🇭 Was very impressed by Caleb Yirenkyi’s cameo for Ghana last night.

Seeing him live, his movement and constant scanning in the middle of the park stood out to me the most.

He handled himself well in the build-up phase for Ghana coming up against an energetic Wales side who were constantly looking to press him.

Covers so much ground. Constantly moving and very assured on the ball.

Aggressive in his pressing and in his duels.

Took his goal really well. Reacted perfectly twice to get the rebound. That sums him up as a player. Elite awareness.

Big future ahead of him. Could play a key role for Ghana at the World Cup.

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Was in Cardiff last night watching the Wales game and I was impressed by Lewis Koumas’ cameo.

Brought lots of energy and intensity when he came on.

Lots of good movement inside the box, great link-up play and held his own in tough physical challenges against Ghana’s backline.

Great finish to score his first international goal assisted by Neco Williams (who was also brilliant).

There’s much more to come from Koumas. Scored some important goals for Hull City to help them get to the PL last season.

Should be given a chance in pre-season with Liverpool.

Needs a good loan next where he will be a regular starter. He’s more than proven he’s ready for the next step in his career.

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

🇪🇸 Had a look at how Liverpool might look like under Andoni Iraola.

Towards the end I spoke about potential new signings that will suit him.

Have a watch: https://t.co/hbtJIvlEK0

RTs and shares appreciated 🙏

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

Brighton now in talks to sign him.

Another very smart move from them.

He's also been linked with RB Leipzig as a potential replacement for Yan Diomande.

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

Given how direct Andoni Iraola likes to play, I think Bradley Barcola would now be the perfect fit for Liverpool (if Iraola takes over).

One of the best attackers at running in behind and stretching defences.

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

📽️ Discussed the potential options who could replace Ibrahima Konaté this summer for my latest video on @AnfieldWatch.

As always appreciate the feedback and shares 🙏

🔗 Link: https://t.co/9L3p2PiGNx

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

🇫🇷 Personally think if Maxence Lacroix really is available for €40m it’s a no brainer for Liverpool now that Konate is leaving.

✅ He’s an incredibly fast defender.

✅ Two years of experience in the PL.

✅ Hardly missed any games due to injury in his career. Played 97 games for Palace in two seasons.

📊 During his last two seasons in the Premier League he’s won 71.5% of his 6.1 defensive duels per 90.

- Ranks 5th among CBs for aerial duels won (119) this season.
- Third for clearances made (252).

He’s a very good defender. Defends the channels and commands the area very well. There’s a reason why he’s in the France World Cup squad.

He’s not elite but he’s decent on the ball, too.

Still only recently turned 26.

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

Oh and he already has experience stepping in to fill Konate’s shoes.

He’s done it at Sochaux.

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

🇧🇪 Nathan De Cat is one of the best young midfielders around in Europe right now.

His best role will be as a CDM. Great anticipation and his deep-lying playmaking ability is top tier.

Excellent range and ability to find line-breaking passes.

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

🇪🇸 After Lamine Yamal, there’s another special attacker coming through at Barcelona.

Ebrima Tunkara.

He’s got 1 goal and 3 assists in 2 games at the U17 Euros.

Excels in one vs one situations in tight spaces. A proper advanced playmaker.

@XDcomps

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

🇲🇿 16-year-old Diego Pelembe is a rare physical and technical profile who is a name to remember.

A 1.90m tall central midfielder who can operate as a no.8 or as a no.10, Pelembe has great mobility for a player so tall.

He really caught my eye at the U17 AFCON where he captained Mozambique.

🦶His technical ability and ball manipulation is excellent. He can change direction quickly, fast and powerful when in full flow. He takes quick and deft touches that allows him to dribble through tight spaces.

Sometimes he’s too fast for his own good. His movements can be a bit too rash but that is natural for a player so young.

🧠 Off the ball, he demonstrated great movement to find himself in space. When receiving he’s comfortable with his back to goal, very good at turning opponents. Uses his body really well and has an excellent first touch.

💪 His defensive work-rate off the ball is really impressive too. He’s fast and presses with great intensity while also being able to time his pressing movements to perfection. In one vs one duels he’s very hard to beat.

He is also a good link-up player and shows intelligent choices with his pass selection.

The energy and the ball carrying ability he possesses makes him a really interesting profile.

Been one of the best CMs I’ve seen at the U17 AFCON so far.

He’s got the potential to go far. Top clubs should be looking at him as an excellent market opportunity.

[Bence Bocsák @BenBocsak]

🇪🇸 One versatile attacking option I’d love Liverpool to consider is Víctor Muñoz.

Only 22-years-old, he’s rapid and excels in one vs one situations.

He’s a very tenacious player, hard-working. Has a low centre of gravity, quick burst and a powerful physique that allows him to push past opponents with ease.

He’s comfortable receiving with his back to goal, makes excellent turns and a good link-up player as well. Also puts in decent crosses and cut-backs.

Has a very decent shot on him, too.

12 G/As this season may not seem like much but he delivered those numbers while playing in a side who were fighting for relegation.

Has played LW and RW all season. Even played in a central role in the past.

Still raw but he’s got all the ingredients to go very far.

Could be a key player off the bench for Spain at the World Cup.

Barcelona have been linked with him but Liverpool should be there, too.