The big guys have rarely been the most mobile, and there is no need to push the analysis very far to understand why. On the other hand, the fluidity of movements can be worked on as explained by Jean-Philippe Mateta. Despite his 92 meter height, the Crystal Palace striker reveals that he has worked specifically on this aspect of his game by looking in particular at Zlatan Ibrahimovic… or Victor Wembanyama.
“I have always worked on these aspects,” he explains to L’Équipe. We have to adapt to what football has become. The first one I observed doing this was Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He’s big, mobile, he moves everyone. I also watch what (Victor) Wembanyama does in basketball because he is very tall (2.24 m). I do a lot of exercises to work on this mobility, such as stretching, core training and yoga. It’s also important to work on our backs for us.”
