Seasons watched: 2015–16 to 2017–18 (Ages 19–21 according to FBref) For Tottenham fans and avid watchers of the Premier League, Dele Alli’s goal vs Crystal Palace from the 2015–16 season felt like one of those early “OMG” moments in the career arc of a burgeoning talent who’d later on became…

Seasons watched: 2014–15 to 2017–18 (Ages 18–21 according to FBref) It feels like a distant memory, but Anthony Martial’s debut with Manchester United was the kind of storybook beginning you’d want from a youngster who was British football’s most expensive teenager at the time. It happened against a bitter rival…

Seasons watched: 2013–14 to 2016–17 (Age 18–21 seasons according to FBref) Of all the players analyzed in this series so far, one could make an argument that none dealt with as much constant change in their formative years as Raheem Sterling did. The 2013–14 season was his true arrival on…

Seasons watched: 2008–09 to 2010–11 (Age 18–20 seasons according to FBref) Given how far he has fallen over the past decade, it can sometimes be forgotten how massive a star Alexandre Pato was during his formative years. The hype could be traced back to his performances in the 2006 Club…

Seasons watched: 2007–2008 to 2009–10 (Age 19–21 seasons according to FBref) For the majority of the past 10 years, Ligue 1 has been dominated by Paris Saint-Germain. Through state-sponsorship as a form of soft power to improve its image worldwide (a trend that’s become all too familiar in football), PSG…

Seasons watched: 2006–07 to 2009–10 (Age 18–21 seasons according to FBref) When looking back at Sergio Agüero’s brilliant career to this point, many will gravitate towards his title clinching goal for Manchester City against QPR in May 2012, and it’s easy to see why. It’s the most iconic goal in…

Seasons watched: 2006–07 to 2008–09 (Age 19–21 seasons according to FBref) The Greatest of All Time debate is a mainstay within sporting discourse in North America, especially in basketball given how much a singular player can impact winning. It has led to many forms of analysis, both interesting and nauseating…

Seasons watched: 2004–05 to 2007–08 (Age 18–21 seasons according to FBref) For a player who reached the heights that Wayne Rooney did, there still remains a certain degree of “what if” which surrounds him. This is largely due to him having a career arc that was slightly atypical from what…

Seasons watched: 2002–03 to 2005–06 (Age 18–21 seasons according to FBRef) It’s been nearly ten years since Atlético Madrid hired Diego Simeone in December 2011, and in the time since they have ascended to become one of the most successful clubs in European football. With their shocking La Liga triumph…