The transfer market has been as busy as it has ever been this year as monsterous names such as Kaka, Eto'o, Barry, Ronaldo, Ibrahimovich,Benzema and Owen have all fround new places to call home for the time being. It's not the stars I'm interested in. Who are the sleepers? The breakout players. Your guess is as good as mine. However I tend to fancy my guesses. I've brought here before you one potential star from many major teams in Europe. We'll be taking a look at what could possibly be in store for their bright futures and how they will make an impact on their teams this season.
- Antonio Valencia, Manchester United: I expect promising things out of the new Red Devil. There is always something special about a player when Sir Alex wants him. Manchester United weren't the only club interested in the Ecuadorian international's services, as Real Madrid were keen on him as well, and we all know what kind of project they're up to now a days. Not only is he wanted by some of the greatest minds in football, he is also a winger, brought to Old Trafford to fill in the mighty big shoes left behind by Cristiano Ronaldo. If Alex Ferguson has faith in him, it's hard for me not to. He arrived from Premier League scrappers, Wigan, on £16 million move. The only thing he will have to improve on is his overall game effectiveness. In all competitions last year, he only scored 3 goals and had 4 assists. However, I'm sure playing along side the personnel United have the luxury of toying with would make even a garden gnome look a better player. The 23 year-old will most surely be tossed right into the action next season.
- Daniel Sturridge, Chelsea: It is a bit difficult to really establish a first team place at the top heavy Manchester City. With so many attacking options, young 19 year-old Sturridge got out just at the right time. Chelsea FC picked up the English forward after his contract expired at City. Last season in all compeitions, despite struggling for regular time, he still bagged 3 goals and pitched in with 3 assists in all compeitions. He looks to have quite a bright future ahead of him at such a young age and has already scored in Chelsea's first preseason match this summer against U.S. based club, the Seattle Sounders, in a 2-0 win. Of course it will be difficult to muscle Anelka at Drogba out of his way and into the first team, but if we know Chelsea, we know injuries. He will definately have his time to shine at some point next season. With the guidence of his seasoned teamates up top, he should develop into a great striker one day.
- Yossi Benayoun, Liverpool: I know. I know. Benayoun isn't exactly young or up and coming but he is finally starting to make a recognizable difference at Liverpool. The Israel International has been at the club for a couple of years now. However, it wasn't until the second half of last season until he really began to establish himself. He made his presence felt in big matches last year. The midfielder scored a late winner at the Bernabeu last year to bring an advantage back to Anfield against Real Madrid in the Champions League first knock out stage. His creativity is what makes him a threat. He is a complete player, assisting a scoring. You never know where he is going to pop up next. At 29 years-old he isn't the youngest player, but certainly not the first to run out of energy either. Last season Yossi had 9 goals and 6 assists in only 40 appearences for the Reds from a wingers position, without a regular first team spot. He signed a contract extension recently and will be looking to pick up right where he left off last season.
- Jack Wilshere, Arsenal: Certainly, when it comes to Arsenal, it is extremely difficult who will be the next up and coming star, but I have my bets on young Jack Wilshere. The boy only turned 17 on the start of the new year, January 1st. He is certainly somebody the English National Team will have their eye on for future plans. Arsene Wenger often likes to use his young guns in the Carling Cup to expose them to top play against worthy opponents. Jack was a stand out amongst the rest of his teenage buddies. He is the next complete midfielder. He is cut from the same breed of footballer as Stevie Gerrard. Wenger has so much confidence in the young fellow that he was throwing him into Champions League matches last season. Wilshere has his work cut out for him but he seems to be a face of the future.
- Gonzolo Higuaín, Real Madrid: With the days left in the great Raul's career beginning to dwindle, many have already labled Gonzolo the new "Golden Boy" of Real Madrid. At only 20 years of age, he has made quite a difference for the Meregue. He smacked home the titile winning goal in the 2007-2008 season where he began to flourish. Last season, he scored 23 goals and had 9 assists in Spanish competions, the Copa del Rey and La Liga. Pretty numbers for someone not even old enough to consume alcohol in the United States. Of course this season Real Madrid will have plenty to choose from up top. Perhaps there will be an intersquad rivarly between the Argentine Higuaín and 21 year-old Karim Benzema ,who arrived at the club this summer. If both stay at the club long enough, what a partnership that would be to enjoy in seasons to come.
- Bojan Krkic, Barcelona: Bojan the 18 year-old was ever popular during Barcelona's Rijkaard era. Lately, under Pep Guardiola, Bojan has been rather out of favor, but he still has so much time to develop. He was the star of Barca's journey to the Copa del Rey championship scoring 5 goals in 8 matches. He has been labled the future of Barcelona. He has proved he can play at the highest level. The kid Bojan needs to work on his heading of the ball says FC Barcelona expert Micheal Blount. In the last two years the Serbian born Spanish international has scored 21 goals in all competitions. In time he will be a Barca favorite.
- Alexandre Pato, AC Milan: This name stands out to everyone when talking about "up and coming" at AC Milan. Young Pato or "the duck" has scored 26 goals in just a year and a half at the club. He is speedy and quick and has unmatchable footskills when reaching his best pace. As a forward, he is a clinical finisher as well. Although he has been out of favor to Brazil National team Coach Dunga, he did score on his debut against Sweden, catching the goalkeeper way off his line. He has a future at Milan as well as Brazil. Pato helped Milan back to the Champions League this season but will have to take on a heavier duty next season with departure of countryman Kaka. He will have to win the heart of his new boss as well because Ancelotti now finds himself managing the Blues in West London.
- Mario Balotelli, Internazionale: The blue side of Milan also have a promising young star in Mario Balotelli. Often criticized in Italy for being a Ghanian born Italian International, the 18 year old has to over come enormous pressure. He is a big kid standing at 6'2 and weighing over 190 lbs. You may think by his figure that he is a target forward, but bodying his way to air balls is not all that he is good for. He has acceptional ball skills and some real pepper behind his shot. He also fancies himself on free kicks. He was not often seen behind the ball on set piece situations at Inter last season because Ibrahimovic had his own ideas but now with the Ibra/Eto'o swap looking to ever clearer, the young gun could bag a few more goals from free kicks next year.
- Alexander Baumjohann, Bayern Munchen: The 21-year old is just transfering in from another German outfit, Mönchengladbach, this summer. He has made his move to a big club at a young age and will be looking to boost his career in a Bayern Munchen kit. He is in the German National team program playing as a U-21. Any player bought by Bayern Munchen after a dissappointing season like they endurred last season is something special. We'll see if Baumjohann can live up to expectations.
These are my players to watch next season and the seasons afterwards. We all know the stars of today but how about the stars of tomorow? There are so many I could have picked. Such as N'gog at Liverpool, Victor Vazquez at Barcelona, Jay Simpson at Arsenal, and Manchester United favorite Marcheda. There are so many future stars, I wish I could take a look at them all. The future of our game depends on new names.
Viva el futbol y Hala Madrid
Bobby
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