Guest report made by Callum Finnigan
Ben Nelson (Leicester City/Oxford United)
Position: Centre-Back
Age: 21 | Nationality: English
Ben Nelson is a 21-year-old English centre-back who spent part of the 2023/24 season on loan at Oxford United from Leicester City. A composed and intelligent defender, Nelson is viewed as one of the more promising young centre-backs emerging from Leicester’s academy. His development has seen him steadily adapt to senior football’s physical and tactical demands, showing maturity in how he reads the game.
Nelson stands around 6’3” and uses his height to good effect, particularly in defensive duels and aerial scenarios. He’s physically well-built and plays with a calm, measured presence. While not especially fast over short distances, his stride allows him to cover ground efficiently and defend space when required.
He remains composed under pressure, rarely diving into challenges. Though he isn’t the most aggressive in physical contests, his timing and positioning mean he often avoids being exposed. His ability to remain focused and positionally disciplined over the course of 90 minutes makes him a reliable presence at the back.
Nelson is tidy and methodical in possession. He typically opts for short, simple passes to maintain control and help progress play through the midfield. Comfortable receiving with either foot, he doesn’t look flustered when pressed, and generally prioritises security over risk.
While not a naturally expansive passer, he can clip longer balls into wider areas when given time and space. He tends to play within his limits, offering a stable platform for more adventurous teammates to operate around.
Defensively, Nelson is conservative and well-structured. He positions himself well within a back four and rarely strays from his zone. His ability to track runners and clear danger inside the box is a core strength, and he often acts as a safety-first presence in deeper areas.
In set-piece situations, he’s a useful asset due to his height and timing, often taking up key central positions. He communicates clearly with teammates and has shown flashes of organisational leadership, particularly when covering for advancing full-backs or during transitions.
Nelson’s steady progression through the youth and senior ranks reflects a player with a clear understanding of his strengths. He doesn’t stand out as a dominant or ball-playing centre-back, but his discipline, aerial ability, and tactical awareness make him a dependable defender in low-to-mid blocks. With continued exposure and refinement, he could carve out a consistent role at Championship level.
Jack Moylan (Lincoln City)
Position: Attacking Midfielder / Second Striker
Age: 23 | Nationality: Irish
Jack Moylan is a 23-year-old Irish attacker who joined Lincoln City in early 2024 following a successful spell at Shelbourne in the League of Ireland. Technically sharp and tactically intelligent, Moylan is comfortable operating as a second striker or attacking midfielder, often drifting between the lines to receive and link play.
Moylan is not physically imposing, standing around 5’9”, but he makes up for it with agility and awareness. His low centre of gravity and balance allow him to stay upright under contact, particularly in tight spaces. Quick over short distances, he’s capable of escaping pressure or ghosting into dangerous areas.
He doesn’t rely on physicality but has adapted well to the intensity of English football since arriving. His stamina allows him to maintain sharpness late into games, and his movement is a constant nuisance to defenders.
Moylan’s main strengths lie in his close control, passing combinations, and creativity. He is comfortable playing in tight pockets and linking play quickly, often using first-time passes or disguised touches to advance attacks. He frequently looks to slide passes in behind or feed the wide runners, making him effective in central zones.
He’s also a goal threat, arriving late into the area or finding space just outside the box for shooting opportunities. His shots are usually well-placed rather than powerful, and he shows good composure in 1v1 scenarios. While his final ball can still be inconsistent, his ideas are progressive and well thought out.
Moylan moves cleverly between the lines, drifting into half-spaces or pulling wide to exploit space vacated by defenders. He positions himself to receive on the half-turn and is alert to second balls and transitional opportunities.
Defensively, he presses in phases — showing energy when the moment is right but not someone expected to consistently track back into his own third. He supports the team shape well and understands when to drop deeper to help build play or press higher up the pitch.
Moylan is a smart, creative midfielder who brings technical flair and intelligent movement to the attacking third. Still adjusting to the tempo of English football, he has begun to show signs of adaptation at Lincoln. With continued growth and more defined tactical responsibilities, he has the attributes to become a consistent playmaker at League One level and potentially beyond.
Will Alves (Leicester City)
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Age: 20 | Nationality: English
Will Alves is a 20-year-old attacking midfielder developed through Leicester City’s academy. After returning from a long-term injury, Alves spent time on loan at Cardiff City in early 2024. Known for his flair, ball-carrying, and ability to open up defences, he remains one of the most exciting technical prospects in Leicester’s system.
Alves is small in stature but highly agile. His low centre of gravity, balance, and quick footwork allow him to manoeuvre through congested areas with ease. He uses his body cleverly to draw fouls and turn away from pressure, particularly in tight spaces around the penalty area.
Still recovering full robustness post-injury, Alves tends to avoid heavy contact but isn’t easily brushed off the ball. His bursts of acceleration over short distances make him a natural dribbler and a strong option in transition-heavy systems.
Alves is creative and composed, thriving in pockets between the midfield and defence. He’s confident receiving under pressure and excels at drawing defenders in before releasing the ball into more dangerous zones. Comfortable with both feet, he’s an unpredictable threat in 1v1 situations.
Statistically, Alves ranks in the 96th percentile for assists, 82nd for progressive carries, and 90th for tackles among attacking midfielders and wingers (FBref), showcasing both end-product and surprising defensive effort. His vision allows him to thread incisive passes, and he consistently attempts to break defensive lines with his carries and combinations.
He moves well off the ball, often drifting into areas that are difficult for defenders to pick up. His awareness of where space will open up is particularly advanced for his age. Out of possession, Alves shows flashes of pressing intensity and tactical understanding, and his high percentile for tackles indicates a willingness to compete without the ball.
Though not a high-volume presser, his interventions are usually well-timed, helping to disrupt build-up play in the final third.
Alves is a highly technical and intelligent attacking midfielder who offers both creativity and spark. His return from injury and brief Championship loan provided valuable experience, and his statistical output suggests he’s ready for more regular senior football. If given consistent minutes in a team that allows him freedom to drift and create, he could develop into a top-tier attacking asset.
Keenan Appiah-Forson (West Ham United/Southend United)
Position: Defensive Midfielder
Age: 23 | Nationality: English
Keenan Appiah-Forson is a 23-year-old midfielder contracted to West Ham United, most recently on loan at Southend United. Previously loaned to Dagenham & Redbridge, Appiah-Forson has developed into a gritty, defensively responsible midfielder capable of operating as a holding player or in a box-to-box role.
Short and stocky, Appiah-Forson relies on explosiveness and strength rather than height. He’s quick to accelerate over short distances and shows good agility when pressing or chasing loose balls. He thrives in high-tempo, transitional systems and is comfortable competing in physical duels despite not having a towering frame.
His mobility allows him to shift laterally and cover ground in midfield, giving him a constant presence when out of possession. He rarely fades in matches, playing with high intensity throughout.
In possession, Appiah-Forson keeps things simple. He receives and releases quickly, often playing off one or two touches to keep play moving. He rarely forces risky passes but can drive forward when space opens up, using his athleticism to carry the ball through midfield.
Though he isn’t known for creative output, he shows competence in maintaining tempo and composure under pressure. He’ll occasionally attempt longer switches or through balls but generally plays within himself.
Defensively, Appiah-Forson is tireless. He presses high when instructed, drops deep to shield the defence when needed, and times his challenges well. He’s adept at stepping in to intercept passes and breaking up opposition rhythm.
His awareness has improved with experience — he now positions himself more effectively to cut off passing lanes, rather than overcommitting. He also supports the back line by offering cover when full-backs push forward.
Appiah-Forson is a disciplined, energetic midfielder who adds value through work rate, pressing, and recovery. His technical game may still be developing, but his defensive output and tactical understanding make him a strong candidate for regular senior football in League Two or the National League, with potential to grow in a possession-based system.
Target Scouting 