Ryan Benson
@rbenson92.bsky.social
Data Journalist at Opta Analyst ⚽📊 | Reporter at two World Cups 🇷🇺🇶🇦 | Enjoyer of rock music and beer 🎸🍻 |📍 West Yorkshire
https://theanalyst.com/author/ryan-benson
https://theanalyst.com/author/ryan-benson
Reposted by Ryan Benson
Well done to @optaanalyst.optajoe.com named Website of the Year (Specialist/B2B) for 2025! #FutureMediaAwards sponsored by Stibo DX
September 11, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Well done to @optaanalyst.optajoe.com named Website of the Year (Specialist/B2B) for 2025! #FutureMediaAwards sponsored by Stibo DX
well done if you're still with me.
This was my favourite piece of the summer, looking into the explosion of Scandinavian centre-forwards, speaking to experts who've worked extensively in the region.
theanalyst.com/articles/sca...
This was my favourite piece of the summer, looking into the explosion of Scandinavian centre-forwards, speaking to experts who've worked extensively in the region.
theanalyst.com/articles/sca...
How Scandinavia Became the Centre-Forward Capital of Men's Football | Opta Analyst
There's a school of thought that the number nine is "dying out", but Norway, Sweden and Denmark are doing their best as conservationists.
theanalyst.com
August 15, 2025 at 10:07 AM
well done if you're still with me.
This was my favourite piece of the summer, looking into the explosion of Scandinavian centre-forwards, speaking to experts who've worked extensively in the region.
theanalyst.com/articles/sca...
This was my favourite piece of the summer, looking into the explosion of Scandinavian centre-forwards, speaking to experts who've worked extensively in the region.
theanalyst.com/articles/sca...
With another Man Utd rebuild/transition/renaissance in progress, I posed five key questions for them over 2025-26.
theanalyst.com/articles/man...
theanalyst.com/articles/man...
Man Utd 2025-26 Preview: Five Key Questions Ahead of the New Season | Opta Analyst
The Premier League returns for the 2025-26 season this week. Ahead of the action commencing, we focus on Manchester United and their latest rebuild.
theanalyst.com
August 15, 2025 at 10:07 AM
With another Man Utd rebuild/transition/renaissance in progress, I posed five key questions for them over 2025-26.
theanalyst.com/articles/man...
theanalyst.com/articles/man...
Here, the team collaborated to pick one potential breakout player for every Premier League club this season.
theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
One Potential Breakout Star for Each Premier League Team in 2025-26 | Opta Analyst
Ahead of the 2025-26 Premier League season, we picked one youngster from each club who could make a name for themselves in the next 12 months.
theanalyst.com
August 15, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Here, the team collaborated to pick one potential breakout player for every Premier League club this season.
theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
Beginning of the end for Nick Pope?
Went deep on Aaron Ramsdale and Pope here, with a particular focus on their passing habits using various Opta Vision metrics.
You might be hearing quite a bit about Opta Vision this season...
theanalyst.com/articles/new...
Went deep on Aaron Ramsdale and Pope here, with a particular focus on their passing habits using various Opta Vision metrics.
You might be hearing quite a bit about Opta Vision this season...
theanalyst.com/articles/new...
Aaron Ramsdale's Newcastle Arrival Could Be Beginning of the End for Nick Pope | Opta Analyst
Newcastle hope to sign Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton. But they already have a good goalkeeper in Nick Pope, so what's behind this move?
theanalyst.com
August 15, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Beginning of the end for Nick Pope?
Went deep on Aaron Ramsdale and Pope here, with a particular focus on their passing habits using various Opta Vision metrics.
You might be hearing quite a bit about Opta Vision this season...
theanalyst.com/articles/new...
Went deep on Aaron Ramsdale and Pope here, with a particular focus on their passing habits using various Opta Vision metrics.
You might be hearing quite a bit about Opta Vision this season...
theanalyst.com/articles/new...
Players we're excited to watch in 2025-26
@alitweedale.bsky.social and I picked some... well yeah, the above and the title pretty much tell you what this is about...
theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
@alitweedale.bsky.social and I picked some... well yeah, the above and the title pretty much tell you what this is about...
theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
Eight Premier League Players We’re Excited to Watch in 2025-26 | Opta Analyst
The new Premier League season is very nearly here, and we're pumped for it to start. With that in mind, we've selected eight players we're particularly looking forward to watching.
theanalyst.com
August 15, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Players we're excited to watch in 2025-26
@alitweedale.bsky.social and I picked some... well yeah, the above and the title pretty much tell you what this is about...
theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
@alitweedale.bsky.social and I picked some... well yeah, the above and the title pretty much tell you what this is about...
theanalyst.com/articles/pre...
Martín Zubimendi
"a very interesting statistical analysis of Zubimendi's game" - not my words, the words of Sid Lowe on Twitter.
So yeah 👍
theanalyst.com/articles/mar...
"a very interesting statistical analysis of Zubimendi's game" - not my words, the words of Sid Lowe on Twitter.
So yeah 👍
theanalyst.com/articles/mar...
Martín Zubimendi Could be the Key to Arsenal Freeing up Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard | Opta Analyst
Arsenal have completed the signing of Spain midfielder Martín Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. Here, we analyse why he could be a shrewd acquisition by the Gunners.
theanalyst.com
August 15, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Martín Zubimendi
"a very interesting statistical analysis of Zubimendi's game" - not my words, the words of Sid Lowe on Twitter.
So yeah 👍
theanalyst.com/articles/mar...
"a very interesting statistical analysis of Zubimendi's game" - not my words, the words of Sid Lowe on Twitter.
So yeah 👍
theanalyst.com/articles/mar...
'Like a new signing'
Here, we picked out a bunch of players who missed a lot (or all) of last season that we're looking forward to watching in 2025-26.
theanalyst.com/articles/lik...
Here, we picked out a bunch of players who missed a lot (or all) of last season that we're looking forward to watching in 2025-26.
theanalyst.com/articles/lik...
'Like A New Signing': Returning Premier League Players Who Could Star in 2025-26 | Opta Analyst
Ahead of the 2025-26 Premier League season, we've identified eight players returning from injuries or loans who could be "like a new signing" to their team.
theanalyst.com
August 15, 2025 at 10:07 AM
'Like a new signing'
Here, we picked out a bunch of players who missed a lot (or all) of last season that we're looking forward to watching in 2025-26.
theanalyst.com/articles/lik...
Here, we picked out a bunch of players who missed a lot (or all) of last season that we're looking forward to watching in 2025-26.
theanalyst.com/articles/lik...
Which European leagues and clubs put most faith in young players?
Sifting through all the numbers for this was fun and it includes some nice viz courtesy of Robbie Dunne and Jon Manuel.
theanalyst.com/articles/you...
Sifting through all the numbers for this was fun and it includes some nice viz courtesy of Robbie Dunne and Jon Manuel.
theanalyst.com/articles/you...
Which European Leagues and Clubs Put Most Faith in Young Players? | Opta Analyst
Ever wondered how attitudes and priorities relating to young players vary across Europe? Well, wonder no longer...
theanalyst.com
August 15, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Which European leagues and clubs put most faith in young players?
Sifting through all the numbers for this was fun and it includes some nice viz courtesy of Robbie Dunne and Jon Manuel.
theanalyst.com/articles/you...
Sifting through all the numbers for this was fun and it includes some nice viz courtesy of Robbie Dunne and Jon Manuel.
theanalyst.com/articles/you...