Category

Ones to watch

  • 04.10.13
    Ones to watch #13: Mateo Kovačić Ones to watch | Comments Off
    It's been just under a year since I last blogged about a young up-and-coming footballing star. Some of my previous ones to watch, such as Juan Mata, Neymar, David de Gea, Alexis Sanchez and Hernanes have all gone on to make big money moves (well, except Neymar - but that will change in the summer - more about that at a later date). Let's hope my 13th pick as a One To Watch doesn't have an unlucky future ahead of him. May I present Mateo Kovačić. Kovačić was born in Linz, Austria to Bosnian Croat parents. Having played outstanding with LASK ...
  • 04.15.12
    Five foreign players that should move to England this summer Europe, Ones to watch | (111)
    1. Mario Götze. How has he not been snapped up already? An enormously hot prospect with speed that makes Theo Walcott look like a pensioner, play-making abilities that Zizou would be proud of, and has the best creativity in the Bundesliga since...well...possibly ever. Only last March, Götze renenwed his contract with Borussia Dortmund, making any potential tranfer that bit more expensive. The likes of Chelsea or City could afford him, but in my opinion it should be Arsene Wenger chasing up the 19-year old. It would be his best signing since Thierry Henry. Big words, I know. [caption id="attachment_1896" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Hot prospect ...
  • 03.05.12
    Ones to watch #12: Iker Muniain Ones to watch | (1)
    It's been a while since I profiled youngsters to watch out for. Some of my previous inclusions (such as Juan Mata, Neymar and Alexis Sanchez) are all causing a stir this season. In this edition I bring you a certain Basque winger that, if you have been watching any Spanish football this season, will find hard to ignore. Let me introduce to you Athletic Bilbao's Iker Muniain. Señor Muniain first came to my attention as part of Spain's Under-21 European winning squad that won the competition last summer (in which a previous 'one to watch', Thiago, featured prominently). Clearly, Muniain had ability. ...
  • 01.18.12
    The Xavi from the Welsh valleys Ones to watch, Superstars | (3)
    Anyone that watches football, and more specifically watches La Liga, will tell you that the best passer in the game is hands-down Barcelona's Xavi. He is incredible to watch in Pep Guardiola's dream team. For three years on the bounce he has been in 3rd place in the Ballon d'Or (his team-mate Leo Messi coming in 1st). But is he actually the best passer in the planet? The answer, shockingly, is no. He's 2nd best. Statistics show that the best is - brace yourselves - Swansea City’s Leon Britton. [caption id="attachment_1576" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Britton: officially better than Xavi - and everyone else."][/caption] The ...
  • 10.26.11
    Ones to watch #11: Christian Eriksen Ones to watch | Comments Off
    Ajax are renowned for their youth system. Like Barcelona, they seem to have this conveyor belt of talent - Patrick Kluivert, Marco Van Basten, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Denis Bergkamp, Rafael Van Der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder to name but a few have come through the ranks at the Amsterdam-based club. So when they paid €1 million for a 16-year old from Denmark in 2008, it came with little surprise that many of the club's fans were concerned who this kid was. Now they adore him: Christian Eriksen. Of course, it wasn't until January 2010 that Eriksen made his way to ...
  • 07.29.11
    Ones to watch: A look back Ones to watch, Transfers | Comments Off
    I started the "ones to watch" feature on this blog last December. Since then I have profiled 10 of world football's biggest prospects in my opinion. Let's have a look and see how some of them are doing. Juan Mata was the very first player I profiled. He was already fairly well-known amongst La Liga fans anyway and especially amongst Los Che's faithful having been a fan favourite at Valencia for some time. But, in this transfer window, whenever I have read the usual big names players looking to move to Arsenal, City, United, Madrid, Barcelona etc. I have always read ...
  • 07.07.11
    Ones to watch #10: Thiago Alcântara Ones to watch | Comments Off
    When you look at Barcelona's youth system, you see pure home-grown talent which the rest of the world envies. Something they are famous for. Names like Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Guardiola, Fabregas, Valdes, Arteta, Puyol, De La Pena, Messi and Pique have all come through Barça's ranks. In recent years, striker Bojan as well as World Cup winners Pedro and Sergio Busquets were making headlines as Barça "next generation". But in recent months, a 20-year old midfielder looks set for the big time on football's highest stage: Thiago Alcântara. Alcântara was born in 1991 in the province of Brindisi in southern Italy as ...
  • 06.16.11
    Ones to watch #9: Alexis Sanchez Ones to watch | Comments Off
    Discussing football transfers with a friend recently, we were talking about possible transfers in football. I mentioned one name in particular. My friend's reaction was "Have you seen him? He is sheer class!" upon hearing the name. The player in question? Udinese's Alexis Sánchez. A product of Chilean side Cobreloa's youth system, Alexis Sánchez signed for Serie A side Udinese in 2006 for US $3 million as a 17-year old and was immediately put on loan for the next two years. The first was to one of South America's most popular teams Colo-Colo in his native country. The second was to ...
  • 06.03.11
    Ones to watch #8: David de Gea Ones to watch | Comments Off
    When Iker Casillas hangs up his gloves for the last time for Spain, there is a queue to take over the reigns in Victor Valdes and Pepe Reina. But a younger and more exciting option for La Roja is one of the most rated young goalkeepers in world football: David de Gea. The 20-year old is a product of Atlético Madrid's youth system (as was one Fernando Torres) and has been causing quite a stir for the red and white half of the city. So much so that even some of football's top managers have been taking notice - most notably ...
  • 05.26.11
    Ones to watch #7: Romelu Lukaku Ones to watch | Comments Off
    This Belgian player has become something of a phenomenon. Standing at a mighty 6ft 3ins tall and weighing in at 14 stone, last year he became the Belgian Pro League's youngest ever goalscorer at the age of 16. The press already label him as "the new Drogba", Romelu Lukaku is one of the game's rising young stars. Of course, some of the big clubs have been taking notice. His current club, Anderlecht, won't be too keen to let the 17 year old go too quickly.  Belgian national coach Georges Leekens took notice also. He gave Lukaku his first caps. Lukaku responded ...
  • 04.03.11
    Ones to watch #6 : Alvaro Morata Ones to watch | Comments Off
    Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez's famous galactico policy in the early 2000's meant that youngsters coming through the ranks of los blancos might find it hard getting into the team alongside the Beckhams, Zidanes, Figos and the likes. However some (though very few) did. Perez is currently in his second stint as Madrid president and his so-called second galactico era is in full swing with Madrid forking out absolute millions for the likes of Kaká, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo. Young players like Pedro Leon and Sergio Canales are all enjoying life on Madrid's most senior roster - though neither are graduates. ...
  • 02.25.11
    Ones to watch #5: Neymar Ones to watch | Comments Off
    Pelé is adored by the fans of Brazilian side Santos. The three-time World Cup winner spent 18 years at the club. Fans of Santástico must have chosen their words wisely when they call their number 11, Neymar,  "the new Pelé". With the 19 year-old earning praise from the media, fans, scouts and fellow professionals, it's probably no wonder why most major European clubs have been taking notice. Santos have put a €30 million price tag on his head. That amount wouldn't frighten the likes of Manchester United, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Juventus away from spending that kind of cash ...
  • 02.07.11
    Ones to watch #4 : Sotiris Ninis Ones to watch | Comments Off
    When a new top-class player from Argentina comes on the scene, the media usually spit out the label "the new Maradona". Same story in France with "the new Zidane" tag. And if the British media had their way, every Brazilian would be pronounced "the new Gareth Bale". What about an Albanian-born Greek player? Meet the first Sotiris Ninis. The 20-year old attacking-midfielder is an extremely gifted lad with absolutely buckets of potential. He made the Greek national team in Otto Rehhagel's squad for last summer's World Cup appearing twice. If rumours are to be believed then Inter Milan, Roma and Manchester ...
  • 12.29.10
    Ones to watch #3 : Hernanes Ones to watch | Comments Off
    About two years ago a Brazilian friend of mine told me of a young midfielder playing for his beloved Sao Paulo. The player's name in question was Hernanes. After checking him out it became apparant after just a few seconds that this young Brazilian was gifted. I mean ridiculously gifted. This kid is nothing short of world class at dead balls and long shots. Not to mention the standard Brazilian magic thrown in from time to time.  [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/gi5k8RFUhOg" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /] Italian club Lazio took note and snapped him up last summer where he's causing quite the storm scoring free kicks and dancing his way around the pitch. It'd be highly unlikely ...
  • 12.10.10
    Ones to watch #2 : Guillermo Ochoa Ones to watch | Comments Off
      About a year and a half ago I found myself watching Mexican league football at around 2 a.m. Mainly because I always get a little giggle whenever a team scores the ever enthusiastic commentators scream "Gooooooooaaaaaaaaaaalllllll" for as long as their lungs will allow them. On this occasion I was watching Club América and one player stood out for me. Their goalkeeper.  Guillermo Ochoa isn't exactly a youngster at the age of 25 in footballing terms. But, like most 'keepers, his life span in that position should be significantly longer than the average outfield player. Just ask David James. When I saw Ochoa play ...