Sorry, we NEED to Talk about Aberdeen
Aberdeen are pretty good... lets talk about it.
If I gave you a guess on which side had the longest winning streak in all competitions this season who would you say? A juggernaut like Manchester City? Potentially Sporting Lisbon and their historic league start? Maybe a side like Sheriff Tiraspol who have dominated their league for a decade? Well… no. Its Aberdeen and their season starting 13 game win streak. In-fact Aberdeen are yet to lose a game, with an away draw to Celtic the only reason the dons winning streak was broken. This season Aberdeen have scored 40 times (granted 20 goals have been in a dominant league cup campaign) and only conceded 10. The Jimmy Thelin revolution is well underway at Pittodrie, playing offensive attacking football that Aberdonian supporters have relished. Despite losing star man Bojan Miovski, Thelin has galvanised his squad, strengthened in the transfer window and is seemingly extracting the most possible from this Aberdeen side putting them in the midst of a title fight with Celtic. How have they done this and what can we expect in the future for both Thelin and Aberdeen?
Former Aberdeen Manager Barry Robson: Craig Williamson - SNS group (Available at)
Aberdeen had a tumultuous 2023/24. Barry Robson was sacked in January 2024 following a 1-1 draw to Dundee with Aberdeen sat in 8th and a mere 6 wins in 21 matches. A seemingly ambitious signing of Neil Warnock turned into a disaster with the Englishmen failing to win a single league game in charge and watching Aberdeen fall to 10th. Peter Leven saw out the rest of the season with the Dons finishing the season strong, going unbeaten in the relegation group and eventually finishing 7th. Peter Leven’s short tenure also marked the discovery of 16 year old Fletcher Boyd with the youngster scoring twice in as many games.
The highlight of Aberdeen’s campaign came in June with fans finally learning who their newest manager would be: 46 year old Jimmy Thelin from Swedish side Elfsborg. Fans understood the likely summer upheaval, especially with rumours of Bojan Miovski’s imminent departure, a topic I touch on in another article which you can read here:
Aberdeen did indeed have themselves a busy summer, balancing transfer business with Premier cup fixtures. Business was busy with the Dons making 6 permanent signings (and Kevin Nisbet on loan).
Gavin Molloy arrived from Shelbourne with his undisclosed (likely between £65,000 and £75,000) release clause being activated. This, in hindsight is an absolute bargain. Molloy is the ideal modern centre half, displaying excellent composure on the ball and in recent weeks is only getting better and better. The Irishmen has played every minute in the league thus far, with an 86% pass accuracy, 2.6 ball recoveries a game and winning 77% of his ground duels. The only slight weakness in his game so far is his aerial duels only averaging a 55% win rate. (Stats via Sofascore) Still, Molloy has been an stalwart in the Aberdeen defence and would easily net 10x his original fee.
Peter Ambrose arrived from Újpest in Hungary for around £300,000. Ambrose has been more bit part, usually utilised as fresh legs or if the Dons need a late goal (which they have a knack of getting). In the league Ambrose has only bagged once, finishing from six yards out after scrappy Dundee United defending. The goal in the 84th minute gave Aberdeen 3 points, placing them top of the table. Not a bad first goal eh.
Dimtar Mitov joined after a stellar season at St Johnstone with the Bulgarian in his one year with the Saints averaging the 4th highest save percentage (74.6%) in the SPFL despite facing 20 more shots on target than anyone else. This season Mitovs save percentage is up to 77%. The keepers best performance was at Parkhead with the Bulgarian making a string of saves late on to ensure a point returned to Pittodrie.
Sivert Heltne Nilsen has been immense in the Aberdeen midfield, seamlessly replacing Rangers-bound Connor Barron. The experienced midfield duo of Nilsen and Shinnie has been superb for Aberdeen this season. Nilsen and Thelin had previously worked together from 2019 to 2021 with Thelin describing the Norwegian as “a leader who brings with him a real will to win”. Nilsen is everywhere in the centre of midfield with the Norwegian chewing up the grass every game like a cow with anger management issues. Look at this heatmap (via Sofascore)
Sivert Heltne Nilsen heatmap
Nilsen was the signing that Aberdeen fans raised the most eyebrows at, with the 33 year old arriving on a three year deal. Its safe to say that Aberdeen fans are more than happy with it now.
Former Manchester City midfielder Ante Palaversa arrived from Troyes in the summer. The Croatian international - like Ambrose - has been a bit part player. His big moment came of the bench against Hearts, crashing the box late to give Aberdeen the win in a closely fought affair against Hearts.
Finally we come to Topi Keskinen. The only signing bought in after the £6m departure of Bojan Miovski. Aberdeen splashed the cash spending £850,000 on the Finnish international. Keskinen is for me the pick of the bunch. In an excellent scout report by Luukas Ojala on Medium (or The Football Academic on Substack), Keskinen is described as a two footed dribbler who weaponizes his speed to easily beat an opponent while also being the hardest worker on the field. Since this article Keskinen has only kicked on scoring the winner on his debut against Queens Park as well as twice in the league against Hearts and Dundee. The 21 year old looks to seemingly be the next player along Aberdeens now consistent conveyor belt of young talent to be sold on for big bucks to a top 5 league.
The Thelin Effect
Jimmy Thelin signing for Aberdeen: Ross Parker - SNS Group ( available at )
We’ve talked last season and we’ve talked transfers but theres one man at the centre of this that I am yet to discuss in detail. Of course I am talking about Jimmy Thelin.
Thelins tactics have been imperative to Aberdeens success. The Dons press high up the park winning possession predominantly in the middle of the park before hitting on the break. Aberdeen have created 6 counter attacks from forcing the opponent into turning the ball over, scoring twice. (via SofaScore and Aberdeen) In the SPFL Aberdeen have won the ball in the middle of the park a staggering 186 times. Thelins side then looks to go wide attempting to stretch the park to its maximum capacity. 75% of Aberdeens attacks have come from the wide areas of the pitch, split like this:
Aberdeens attacking actions (via Whoscored)
When Aberdeen do create big chances they are incredibly efficient, scoring 13 goals in the 16 big chances they have created. The way Aberdeen play out wide is strikingly similar to Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, with wingers holding the ball up for the overlapping fullback, helping to create 2v1 scenarios. These scenarios creates the space the free winger or fullback to stick a cross in, usually fizzed along the ground, from the byline and into the opponents box. Here Aberdeen’s midfielders and the winger on the other side crash the box late attempting to have a shot at goal. If you want some examples look at Palaversas late strike against Hearts.
Credit: SPFL on Youtube
As you can see, Duk drives to the byline before the sheer number of Aberdeen players in the Hearts box allows for the late charging Palaversa to have a free shot on goal. Palaversas strike was in the 88th minute and it is not a one-off case of Aberdeen striking late. In the SPFL this season Aberdeen have score 20% (4) of their goals between the 81st minute and full time. More than any other period of the match. (via Footystats) These goals include late winners against Ross County, Hearts and Dundee United.
The trend of Aberdeen’s late goals is all down to Jimmy Thelins greatest strength: his game management. Thelin knows exactly when to alter the game and make substitutions, in fact he is one of the best I have ever seen at it. Just when Aberdeen are seemingly losing momentum in the match Thelin brings on fresh legs that swing the game back in their favour. Thelin has cultivated a team that - starting or not - understands their role and plays it to a tee. The likes of Shayden Morris and Peter Ambrose change the dynamics of games when they come off the bench with both combining for Aberdeen’s late winner against Dundee United.
Can Aberdeen keep this up? Well why not? Every piece of this squad is in harmony with the manager and I, in my 18 years of life, have never seen Pittodrie this electric. The only sticking point is a certain Celtic side who are also incredible. I have said before that I think Celtic will go unbeaten, and I still believe it. It comes down to the fact that I see no way that Celtic drop points to anyone not named Aberdeen or Rangers (at Ibrox specifically). Contrary, one bad Aberdeen performance and they could drop points just on the merit that there is not the star quality at Aberdeen like there is at Celtic. The other smaller worry for Aberdeen will be the potential of Jimmy Thelin being poached by a top 5 league club. Fortunately I don’t see this happening - at least this season.
Aberdeen are building something truly special on the south coast. The recruiting has been incredible for the last 3 years or so and now, with a manager recruited under the same philosophy, results are starting to show. This is not some flash in the pan from Aberdeen, I truly believe they are here to challenge the old firm, now and in the future.
Come on!