NEXT GEN: Ollie Arblaster.

Born on 8th January, 2004 ( 20) — Ollie Arblaster is an English Midfielder who plays for Sheffield United. His footballing course has transfigured from a six year old player who joined the academy to a turned professional who has recurrently captained his boyhood club. His development included a loan at League One club, Port Vale.

1. Positional role.

Primary : CM ( Central Midfielder)

Secondary: DM ( Defensive midfielder)

Ollie operates primarily as a double pivot central midfielder ( right footed) but has the requisite football brain and defensive potential to feature in a deeper role.

2. Physical profile.

Height and build : 1,80m tall, supple build with an broadening frame.

Speed and pace : Maintains a delicate poise between explosive bursts of speed in transition /recoveries and measures steps/ break aways in tight spaces.

Agility: Reliably good at managing pressure through sharp turns and multiple changes in direction.

Balance: Ability to maintain a low centre of gravity and reposition his body to evade challenges. i.e dribbling and passing on the move.

3. Functional profile.

Nimble ball reception : Ollie periodically shifts across his marker to make create an extra, angle yard to receive the ball/ open up new passing lanes for teammates.

Tight space control: Moves with delicate touches, effortless shift of weight and convinction in congested spaces.

Short carries : Sharp sense of arrival to collect and push the ball past the opp. block/ press within close quarters. ( Pick and drive player )

Penetrative runs : fluid movement across zones relative to the existing phase of play. Can drift wide, make an underlapping run or roam between the lines to enhance local connections.

Assertive ground coverage: physically capable of engaging the opp. and taking charge in ground contests. Beneficial in sniffing out danger in key areas, moments.

4. Temperament.

Composed : patient,and thoughtful approach towards play. Constantly adapts to meet game state demands.

Combative: has got an English steel about to Willing to make a penetrative run, tackle or attack the box to impact the team positive.

Leadership: entrusted with the captain's armband on occasions. Positively suggests his ability to uplift his teammates on and off the pitch.

5. Projections.

Does have a bit of everything to excel in all phases but needs to execute some of his actions with reliability.

• Expansive Passing range - usually good at distributing the ball within actionable distances but has to challenge himself outside his zones of influence.

• Attacking the final third - has offensive bite and could become a more significant threat if he purposes to improve this part of his game.

Overall, Ollie is within the right setting to better this himself. Might make a bold argument he is within the Curtis Jones/ Mainoo mould with a qualitative gap to bridge to arrival at that level.