ILF Heroes: Leon Britton, the Swansea Silkworm

This astonishing footballer has rapidly become my favourite in the Premiership, and today, aged 29, he achieved his apotheosis, completing all 66 attemped passes in a game against Bolton. Despite being one of the smallest, slightest footballers in Premier League history, he's playing an integral role in a team who have on several occasions shown up the limitations of rather more physical sides.

His game revolves around near-Trappist reserve; if there's a forward pass on which may possibly go wrong, he won't attempt it. Instead, he'll recycle possession, and wait for an opportunity to move the ball forwards into space. Not for him the dismal Gerrardisms of the ball into the channel. Not for him the no-look largesse of late-noughties Arsenal. Instead, he preaches a pure and glowing refinement of the Barcelona style; one that may result in fewer meaningful attacks, but one that allows a team of Swansea's stature to retain their shape, organisation and composure in a rapid and often brutal league.

I cannot praise this man enough. In a parallel world he would be the first name on an England teamsheet. Can he do anything Michael Carrick can't? Immaterial - Carrick, for all his gifts, is a player without the discipline, the shift in mental paradigm, to play the game of Britton. Surely this season's true ILF folk hero (Super Mario is for the people), I humbly suggest a man who has spent ten years in the lower leagues, perfecting a game that would grace any field.

I like him a little less now.

Still quite a bit though.

i thought this dude was black but there must be some other swansea player who is small and vaguely answerable to this description but isn't actually leon britton

That'd be ex-Saint Nathan Dyer, who appears to be a bit less of a twat than he used to be.

I need to watch some Swansea, cos it's not just Britton who's got the passing down - someone posted the stats from today in the Prem thread, and there's Joe Allen, Garry Monk (another former Saint who's had to really drag himself up through the divisions - never really got a shot with us), Neil Taylor, Angel Rangel too. They're a very intriguing side Prem-wise - lots of (very) small players, intricate passing, and Danny Graham and Michel Vorm both look to be excellent signings thus far.

dyer and sinclair do a job on the flanks

swansea have been playing like this for a while. i rememmber 3 or 4 years ago watching them play fulham in the cup on tv, and they made a mid table premier team look like complete amateurs. fulham got a lucky 1-1. it was so weird to see a championship side playing this beautiful spanish football. that's the roberto martinez factor! i've always kept an eye on their results since that match.

Have read lately they might get Josh McEachran, the Chelsea reserve who's supposed to be a phenomenal passer, on loan in January, seems an ideal move for both parties.

i don't think i've seen any swansea this season and need to change that. working weekends is the worst when i could be watching leon britton instead

That first half against City on the opening weekend of the season was genuine smile-inducing stuff.

McEachran would indeed be a great move.

So we can all agree it is Silva v. Britton v. Bale for POTY right?

If Arsenal finish above 7th, Van Persie. Otherwise Bale. Dempsey deserves a shout as well.

yaya toure has been more consistently important to city, imo

Yaya seconded, just edging Silva. No need to look outside City imo.

Well, maybe at Ba, and van Persie if you must.

His game revolves around near-Trappist reserve; if there's a forward pass on which may possibly go wrong, he won't attempt it. Instead, he'll recycle possession, and wait for an opportunity to move the ball forwards into space. Not for him the dismal Gerrardisms of the ball into the channel. Not for him the no-look largesse of late-noughties Arsenal. Instead, he preaches a pure and glowing refinement of the Barcelona style; one that may result in fewer meaningful attacks, but one that allows a team of Swansea's stature to retain their shape, organisation and composure in a rapid and often brutal league.

✓

he is gradually being phased out in favour of the ur-epl shelvey, the reprobate canas and the niftier de guzman but we can celebrate him still

http://i.imgur.com/Cb3cBNh.jpg

o gosh

woefully inept attempt at YMCA but impressive still

http://goosebumpsmag.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/one-shot-one-ride-chinese-pagoda-victoria-park.jpg

oh crumbs that's large

this is who we're trying to turn little tommy carroll into

arise bentaleb

http://spielverlagerung.de/2014/12/06/tuerchen-6-leon-britton/

dyer and sinclair do a job on the flanks

― interim dn (darraghmac), Sunday, 30 October 2011 10:14 Bookmark

otm

http://i.imgur.com/iXkLLOI.gif

Ian Watkins/ H from Steps scenario narrowly averted.

Heaven needed another alleged rapist.. oops sorry wrong script.

yea for I have witnessed Britton's final form, and His name is Angel Gomes