Danny Collins

Danny Collins, a former Premier League center-back turned coach, and Ike Opara, a seasoned MLS defender, revisit the evolution of the center-back role. They tackle how defender-first mindsets have shifted to possession play and the impact of Pep Guardiola's tactics on youth training. The duo dives into the necessity of balancing technical skills with traditional defensive craft, discusses the current standards for elite defenders, and speculates on the future of defending, weighing the risks of playing out from the back. It's a deep dive for anyone involved in soccer coaching.