December 2021 Highlights: Unleashing the Fox in the Box

December 2021 Football Insights: Team of the Season, Top Analyses, and More

The December 2021 edition of Fox in the Box delivers a comprehensive wrap-up of the football year—spotlighting outstanding player performances, key tactical reads from the past 12 months, top podcast picks, and direct tactical advice for coaches and fans. Explore everything from the Premier League’s midway standouts to the web’s most-read tactical deep-dives and pressing questions from our audience.

Midseason Premier League XI: The Standout Performers

As we reach the halfway point of the 2021-22 Premier League campaign, a number of key contributors have set themselves apart. Here’s a detailed look at the top performers across each position who could easily fit into the best XI so far:

– **Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)**
The 23-year-old Arsenal shot-stopper has emerged as a vocal leader and is keeping more clean sheets per match than all of his peers.

– **Right Back: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)**
Known for his creativity, Trent leads the league in chances created and consistently impresses in attacking and passing metrics.

– **Centre Backs: Ruben Dias (Manchester City) & Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)**
Both are model organizers and leaders, with Dias dictating City’s defensive structure and Van Dijk restoring confidence to Liverpool’s backline.

– **Left Back: Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)**
Primarily a right-sided player, Cancelo has thrived at left back—delivering four assists and acting as a crucial creative outlet.

– **Defensive Midfield: Rodri (Manchester City)**
Standing out in a crowded field of quality midfielders, Rodri anchors City’s transitions and is the heartbeat of their midfield.

– **Central Midfield: Declan Rice (West Ham) & Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)**
Rice has been vital to West Ham’s surprise run, while Silva has become Manchester City’s most dynamic goal threat from midfield.

– **Attacking Midfield: Conor Gallagher (Crystal Palace, on loan from Chelsea)**
After joining Palace, Gallagher’s energy and ingenuity have shifted the team’s reliance away from Zaha and made him a revelation in the middle.

– **Forwards: Mohamed Salah & Diogo Jota (Liverpool)**
Salah tops the scoring and assist charts and is a European standout, while Jota’s clinical finishing keeps Liverpool’s attack firing on all fronts.

– **Preferred Formation: 4-3-1-2**
This setup gets the best out of two in-form strikers and an energetic, creative midfield supporting from behind.

The Top 100 Footballers of December 2021

Each year presents an opportunity to celebrate the world’s best players. Here’s a snapshot of those recognized in December 2021, from 100 through to the very best, Robert Lewandowski:

From young rising stars to established veterans, this selection showcases global impact across all competitions.

Most Popular Tactical Analyses of 2021

This year saw a surge in readership and engagement, with tactical breakdowns earning attention from managers, players, and media professionals alike. Here are the ten most widely read and discussed tactical deep-dives:

1. **Thomas Tuchel – Chelsea (2020-21):** A comprehensive review highlighting Tuchel’s tactical successes and areas for improvement, influencing discourse across the coaching community.
2. **Pep Guardiola – Manchester City (2020-21):** An in-depth look at Guardiola’s innovations, catching the eye of prominent tacticians and analysts.
3. **Antonio Conte – Inter Milan (2020-21):** Analysis chronicling Inter’s transformation and Serie A dominance.
4. **Thomas Tuchel – Principles of Play:** Examination of Tuchel’s core strategies, predating his Chelsea appointment.
5. **Zinedine Zidane – Real Madrid (2020-21):** Tactical insights into Zidane’s final season in charge.
6. **Italy – Euro 2020:** A review of Italy’s tactical mastery en route to continental glory.
7. **Thomas Frank – Brentford (2020-21):** Explores the methods behind Brentford’s Premier League promotion.
8. **PFA Team of the Year 20/21 Picks:** A reasoned, data-driven alternative to the official team selection.
9. **Graham Potter – Brighton (2020-21):** Dissects Brighton’s unique style and the intricacies of Potter’s system.
10. **Erik Ten Hag – Ajax (2020-21):** Analysis of Ten Hag’s methods and why his name is atop many managerial shortlists.

Each piece combines advanced tactical knowledge with accessible explanations for coaches, fans, and aspiring analysts.

Q&A: Tactical Advice and Coaching Background

The year-end mailbag features practical solutions to complex tactical challenges and explores the process behind crafting high-quality football analysis.

1. Setting Up a 4-2-3-1 Against a 3-5-2 in Youth Football
When facing a 3-5-2, exploiting the spaces between wing-backs and center-backs is critical. If your opponent’s wing-backs venture forward aggressively, instruct your wide midfielders and forward to attack the vacated channels with well-timed runs or direct balls over the top. Quick transition and defensive compactness are essential—be prepared to overload wide areas and create numerical superiority to stifle dangerous wing-backs.

Key tactical questions for coaches:
– What is your preferred style of play?
– Which players are most influential in your squad?

2. High-Pressing Forwards from Bottom-Half Teams
Statistical analysis suggests that standout pressing strikers are rare among bottom-half clubs. Factors include tactical conservatism and unsettled selections at center forward. Notable exceptions: Giovanni Simeone (Hellas Verona) and Enes Unal (Getafe) exhibit excellent off-ball work—though they barely enter the top tier. Ollie Watkins and Wout Weghorst also rank highly, but overall, elite pressing typically comes from more dominant clubs.

3. Background in Football Analysis
Football analysis on this publication is grounded in comprehensive coaching experience, combined with a relentless passion for studying matches across top leagues weekly. Continuous learning—through official performance analysis courses and practical exposure—fuels fresh insights, alongside support from a broad footballing network.

Podcast Highlights: Listen In for Deeper Analysis

The Longball PL Preview Show and related audio episodes delve into tactical breakdowns, scouting strategies, and football analytics. One standout episode walks listeners through the use of platforms like Wyscout for effective match analysis—essential for coaches and aspiring analysts.

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Get future editions and exclusive tactical content straight to your inbox by joining the email list. As always, look out for upcoming deep dives, player rankings, and coaching resources—keeping you ahead in the ever-evolving world of football.

Summary

December’s edition rounds off a year of major milestones—highlighting those shaping the game, both on the pitch and in its analysis. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for your coaching, validation for your favourite player, or insights from the tactical frontlines, our curated features, rankings, and Q&A deliver authoritative coverage for every football enthusiast.