So far this season, much of the talk has surrounded the current tactical landscape; man-to-man pressing, which has supposedly invited teams to play over the press, rather than through it. This, alongside transitions, and set-piece goals, has meant the Premier League has seen a lot of direct football.
Yet, whilst this has affected the way in which teams have attacked, it has not completely deflated the influence of 1v1 duels playing a role in attacking moves.
It is therefore once again time to cover what different players across the division have been getting up to when they have found themselves in 1v1s.
Before we kick-off, here is a reminder of the categories as used in Vol. 1, and Vol. 2 in the series.
The seven traits deciphered before have been used as tools once again, with their usage once again depending on the players role, style, and their respective teams tactics.
– Dribbling down the outside of the wing
– Chop and change direction close to goal
– Dribble with their head down
– Cut inside from the wing
– Use feints and touches to take the ball away from the opposing player
– Use physicality and rotate body
– Shifting ball closer and adjusting speed of move to create space for themselves or teammates
Dribbling down the outside of the wing
Dribbling on the byline, typically beating a defender for pace or with a piece of trickery before sending a cross into the penalty-area.
Case Study: Noni Madueke, Arsenal
Other notable examples include: Anthony Elanga, Pedro Neto, Patrick Dorgu, Iliman Ndiaye, Jeremy Doku, Jeremie Frimpong, Kevin
Until suffering an injury sustained in September, Noni Madueke was enjoying a bright start to life at Arsenal, following a £48million move from Chelsea. Madueke offers cover on both flanks, and is keen to attack down the outside, playing crosses to the back post, as well as cut backs to teammates in the heart of the penalty-area.
Madueke is a different profile on the right to Bukayo Saka, for example. Madueke is arguably more direct, and likes to take the left-back head on more so. Madueke often dribbles towards the edge of the box when taking on the full-back one-against-one, before playing a final ball.
Madueke created 3 chances from open play against Nottingham Forest. The winger also attempted 14 crosses during the same match, many of which did not meet designated targets. But in context, these attempts showed Madueke’s threat, tested the Forest back line, and forced play out for subsequent corner kicks, from which Madueke created an additonal two chances.
For example, a corner kick from the opposing flank was cleared out of the box. Madueke retrieved the ball on the right flank, and was in an isolated one-against-one with Dan Ndoye.
Madueke had the room to shift onto his stronger left foot straight away, but there was also plenty of space to dribble into on the outside. Offering himself an advantage against Ndoye, Madueke feinted to go forward with a move favoured by Garrincha in years gone by.
The move benefited from Ndoye facing Madueke head on, rather than sideways, which perhaps could make it difficult to turn and match Madueke as he moves forward.
In an instant, Madueke brought the ball down the outside, darting past Ndoye in the process.
Madueke was able to dribble inside the penalty-area, before attempting to find Jurrien Timber, which forced a last ditch interception from Murillo.
It is a repeated move, and is often difficult to contain, but dribbling down the outside is made less predictable by a quick burst of speed, and the fact Madueke can cut inside onto his stronger left foot if playing on the right.
Whilst Madueke is not set to return until the end of the month, he was one of a number of key signings made during the summer window, that have added necessary depth to a side in search of its first league title in over two decades.
Chop and change direction close to goal
Alter direction of dribble to bypass a defender and find an angle to pass or shoot. Having a strong sense of balance and good close control can make this harder to stop.
Case Study: Iliman Ndiaye, Everton
Other notable examples: Kevin, Mohamed Salah, Mohammed Kudus, Jeremie Doku, Mathys Tel, Bertrand Traore
Iliman Ndiaye was Everton’s best player last season, scoring crucial goals, and making many a mazy dribble from the left wing. Jack Grealish’s arrival in Merseyside from Manchester City, however, has meant Ndiaye has switched over to the right side of midfield. Yet this has not proven an issue by any stretch of the imagination, with Ndiaye’s influence on Everton attacks still intact.
The winger is taking on opposing defenders down the outside of the flank, and when dribbling infield, with tricks to create separation, and to outwit, before playing a pass, and making a forward run to receive the ball back, or when going for goal himself, where he often change direction with a trick, or drop of the shoulder.
Ndiaye starts on the right in Everton’s 4-2-3-1, and will often take on left-backs on the outside and play crosses into the penalty-area. When dribbling infield, however, Ndiaye will face opposition in greater numbers, but when bypassing the pressure when dribbling, he invites 1v1s on the edge of the penalty-area.
Against Brighton & Hove Albion, Ndiaye was stationed between the lines, ready to receive the ball from Idrissa Gueye.
Ndiaye could have played the ball out wide, or back to Gueye. But he twisted and turned against two, and then three markers, before finding a gap, dribbling his way through.
Having done this, there was space to dribble into, before facing Carlos Baleba one-against-one.
A quick stepover took Ndiaye past the midfielder…
before a left foot shot just outside the box worked goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
Everton’s first goal in an eventual 2-0 win against Brighton, was not only excellently-worked, but was ignited, and finished, by Ndiaye. Theirno Barry started the move, holding up play, and laying the ball off to Ndiaye.
From the right, Ndiaye dribbled inside, and a drop of the shoulder aided his way past two, before passing to Gueye.
Ndiaye had continued advancing forward without the ball, and eventually met Grealish’s ball across the box at the far post, handing Everton the lead after 23 minutes.
Ndiaye added another goal to his tally for the season in superb fashion away to Sunderland. After Everton regained possession, Ndiaye dribbled infield from the right flank, with the dribble speeding up the longer it went on. And as he edged closer to the penalty-area, Ndiaye dribbled past three, controlling the ball with his right foot, before switching to his left, dummying in the process, and firing the ball goal bound.
Ndiaye is a smooth dribbler with the ball, demonstrating balance as he dances his way past markers in tight spaces without losing possession, meanwhile boasting some of the best footwork in the division. Ndiaye’s use of drag backs, and stepovers enable him to retain the ball against pressure in tight spaces, as well as beat defenders in one-against-one situations in the final-third.
Dribble with their head down
The player’s head is facing down, looking at the ball when dribbling.
Case Study: Amad Diallo, Manchester United
Other notable examples: Gabriel Martinelli, Pedro Neto, Chemsdine Talbi
Amad Diallo has made the right wing-back slot in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 his very own. Whilst not offering as much protection of the posts when United defend deeper as a more conventional defender would, he contributes to the press in more advanced areas of the pitch, and, of course, offers a great deal when United themselves are attacking.
Amidst United’s direct approach in possession, which has been part of a trend across the league, Amad has formed a partnership with Bryan Mbeumo on United’s right. With two left footed options on the same side, United have more threat when bringing the ball from out to in, via a carry or a pass. Both Amad, and Mbeumo, swap positions, and set up each other with short passes, or through balls to meet each others runs, like that for the all-important opener in United’s 1-2 win against rivals Liverpool.
But moves against Brighton, and Sunderland, showcased not only the key combination, but also how at times Amad will keep his head down when dribbling in close proximity with the nearest marker.
United should have been awarded a penalty in the first-half of their 4-2 win against Brighton, and the lead up to the incident saw Mbeumo find Amad’s run down the outside via a well weighted through ball.
Amad dribbled forward, and faced left-back Maxim De Cuyper. Keeping his head down, Amad shifted inside and dribbled into the box..
but was brought down by De Cuyper’s challenge which saw his leg stick out, tripping Amad.
Against Sunderland, meanwhile, Amad received the ball on the touchline, and moved from out to in…
jinking his way past one, before laying the ball off to Mbeumo to shoot from the edge of the penalty-area.
Amad keeping his head down when dribbling does not seem to be as frequent, or as distinct, as Pedro Neto, who has been analysed previously, or Gabriel Martinelli. But keeping his head down in certain instances perhaps means Amad can have a better idea of the opposing players standing position, and which direction to dribble would be best as a result.
Cut inside from the wing
Dribble infield from the wing to play the ball with your stronger foot. Can drag a player out of position, or find further space by dribbling indie, whilst utilising attackers trickery and vision.
Case Study: Mohammed Kudus, Tottenham Hotspur
Other notable examples: Anthony Gordon, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Bryan Mbeumo, Simon Adingra, Jack Grealish, Savinho, Jeremy Doku, Antoine Semenyo, Ouattara Dango, Callum Hudson-Odoi
In the Premier League, no player has a higher total of completed take ons so far this season than Mohammed Kudus, with 34. Kudus can play across the attack, but has regularly featured on the right side since arriving at Tottenham Hotspur from West Ham United in the summer.
In tight situations in more central areas, Kudus dribbles reactively, often waiting for the defender to act before he makes his next move.
But when Kudus looks to cut inside onto his predominant left foot, it seems more premeditated, and regardless of the defender’s actions. From here, Kudus can shoot, dribble further infield, and lay the ball off, or play in-swinging crosses to the back post.
Kudus scored his first goal for Spurs during their 1-2 win over Leeds United. Pedro Porro’s long ball towards Kudus first took a ricochet off of left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson, before Kudus took hold of the ball.
Immediately, Kudus dribbled inside, doing so aggressively…
and whilst Pascal Struijk tracked Kudus, he didn’t get tight to the winger…
so Kudus was able to get a shot away, which he was able to keep down, beating goalkeeper Karl Darlow at his left post.
The likes of Kudus, and Amad may all cut inside, but they do so at different rates, and display subtle differences in their style, their aggression, their gait. They also have varying options when they have the ball; do they find a teammate first, or shoot, or does it depend case by case? If they shoot, do they shoot early, or do they try to create more space for themselves? What part of the goal do they like to aim for when shooting? Do they have a change of speed in the dribble, drop the shoulder, prefer to combine with a teammate, or all of the above?
Feints and deft touches
Body feints to outwit, and touches to take the ball away from defenders.
Case Study: Jeremy Doku
Other notable examples: Iliman Ndiaye, Florian Wirtz, Eberechi Eze, Matheus Cunha, Joao Pedro, Phil Foden, Yeremy Pino, Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson
The previous two campaigns, and 2025/26 as things stand, all see Jeremy Doku top the list for completed take ons every 90 minutes. No player in the Premier League averages as many as Doku. Statistically speaking, Doku is the face of take ons, and by extension 1v1s.
And like many effective wingers, Doku is a two-way threat. He wants to attack the full-back on the outside, as well as cut inside with the ball at his feet. Doku provides a constant out ball high up the pitch against compact defences, which helps stretch the play, and pull the opposition’s defensive shape across to create space on the other side of the pitch.
Often when he reaches the penalty-area, Doku will take a lot of touches, pinning a defender in a confined space, before a drop of the shoulder, forcing his way past, finding room to release the ball.
And when facing pressure from defenders with his back facing them, Doku can turn away from the pressure with a flick, or a turn, and then bring the ball closer to goal. His low centre of gravity, and quick touches, not only allow him to retain the ball, but also bring it beyond the nearest defender.
These situations could be out wide, or in more central areas, which he seems to have been occupying a fair amount in recent matches. There is a definite contrast between City’s wins against Burnley, and Bournemouth. Against the former, Doku attempted most of his take ons when arriving in the penalty-area from the left flank. One instance led to the first goal in a 5-1 win, with Doku’s mazy run forcing the ball into danger, with the final touch resulting in an own goal.
Whereas during the latter match, Doku moved into more central areas, where he could be a threat on the counter-attack, and combine with fellow attackers Phil Foden, and Rayan Cherki, in an aim to supply prolific goal scorer Erling Haaland.
Use physicality and rotate body
Use one or more of strength, body rotation, and shielding the ball to bypass opposing players in 1v1 situations across the pitch.
Case Study: Elliot Anderson, Nottingham Forest
Other notable examples: Matheus Cunha, Brian Brobbey, Erling Haaland, Morgan Rogers, Jeremy Doku
Elliot Anderson can play out wide, as a no.10, or as he has been doing for Nottingham Forest, playing as one half of a double pivot. Anderson starts attacking moves for Forest, with his ball retention, and knack for progressing play with his passes. Anderson averages 8.9 progressive passes per 90 in the league so far, and no player has completed more progressive passes than Anderson, with 89.
Anderson is a strong, technical presence in Forests’ midfield. He possesses a great first touch to take the ball away from the marker, and/or set himself up for a pass, and often picks up good positions within his own half to receive the ball from a defender, and play forward. So if the nearest defending player drops off, Anderson has the vision to pick out a longer ranged pass, including first time passes between the lines, and diagonal switches to wingers in space.
When a marker does get tight to Anderson, however, he does well to shield the ball, and is able to shrug off pressure when carrying the ball froward past them. This part of Anderson’s game is assisted by how comfortable he is at receiving the ball on the half turn. Or if he has his back to pressure, he can hold up play, and either recycle possession, or turn past, and carry forward. At the very least, he forces a foul from the opposition.
He has upper body strength to hold off pressure from the opposition, but also in his legs to dribble and glide past the nearest marker in the 1v1, before carrying the ball into space. This is reminiscent of Kevin de Bruyne, who was a powerful ball carrier at Manchester City.
When duelling for a loose ball, Anderson’s strength means he often wins the duel, before playing the ball forward, too. So even when defending in a 1v1, it quickly becomes a 1v1 where Anderson is the player dribbling past the opposition after he previously regained the ball.
Shifting ball closer and adjusting speed of move to create space for themselves or teammates
Slowing down the dribble when facing a defender 1v1, and shuffling forward, putting further pressure on the defender.
Case Study: Yankuba Minteh, Brighton & Hove Albion
Other notable examples: Jack Grealish
Yankuba Minteh is another high volume dribbler. He is not only a threat in transitions, where he can carry the ball forward beating defenders for speed, he is also Brighton’s out ball, and is capable of delivering balls into the box, from either flank, and taking shots inside the penalty-area.
Minteh has feints, and tricks in his repertoire, but also a change of speed that can outwit a defender not knowing, or simply not being able to deal with what is to come. Minteh will shuffle with the ball, anticipating the moment to burst past the defender with the aforementioned change of pace. It allows extra leeway for when crossing, or going for goal himself. Tie this together with how Minteh can be effective on the flank matching his predominant left foot, when playing out swinging deliveries to the box, and you have some textbook wing-play.
Danny Welbeck’s equaliser in a 1-3 win against Chelsea, oversaw Minteh take on Malo Gusto on the flank. Minteh shuffled towards Gusto, with Gusto jockeying, before Minteh’s sudden change of speed saw him flash past Gusto, with room to pick out a cross towards Welbeck inside the penalty-area, who headed the ball goal bound. Minteh did not spend too much time on the ball, nor did he overdo things. But by slowing down the attack, before accelerating, he offered himself an extra yard in that 1v1 against Gusto.
Slowing down the dribble on the flank can add a feel of suspense, and unpredictability to the move, as well as allowing other players time to pick the right spot into the box.
There is a lot of overlapping in this volume of the series. This goes without saying, in that elite footballers are not limited to a certain move. Although as this series tries to show, they do something in particular often enough to the point where it is possibly worth covering.
All data courtesy of FBref, and StatsZone
