Top Ten: Coming to a club near you this summer
Thomas Flower
Posted on: 18 March 2010 - 10:20
Football
With the domestic season reaching a climax around Europe, many players will be beginning to think of their next move. Whether it is a new challenge, first team football or simply more money they are after a number of players will undoubtedly be on the move come the summer. Here at Sport.co.uk we take a look at the players who will be screaming come and get me this summer to anyone that will listen.
1. Joe Cole
Seemingly not in Carlo Ancelotti’s first team plans at Chelsea, Joe Cole also looks set to miss out on this summers World Cup in South Africa as a result. A naturally gifted player, Cole will not be short of offers should he decide to call time on his spell in West London with Tottenham and Manchester United believed to be interested in the skilful midfielder.
2. Edin Džeko
After scoring a bagful of goals for Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, Edin Džeko has caught the eye of a number of top European clubs. The Bosnian international got on the score sheet in Wolfsburg’s 2-1 Champions League defeat at Old Trafford back in September 2009 making those in this country that weren’t already aware of him stand up and take note. Džeko was very close to joining Arsenal in the summer and Mr Wenger will more than likely try and lure the Bosnian to the Emirates again after this season draws to a close.
3. Franck Ribéry
While he is thought of as one of the best midfield players in Europe many still believe that Ribéry has yet to prove himself in one of the best domestic leagues in world football. A successful World Cup this summer could provide him with the perfect opportunity to prove the doubters wrong as a move to England or Spain could follow should the playmaker have a successful tournament.
4. Fernando Torres
Without doubt one of the best footballers in world football so the fact that he may not be playing European football next season is nothing short of a travesty. While anyone on the red side of Merseyside would hate to think that ‘El Nino’ could leave Anfield it could become a reality if the Reds do not pick up their form before the end of the season. There would be a number of suitors interested in the prolific striker.
5. Maicon
Powerful Brazilian Maicon is quickly becoming one of the best right backs in the game. Dangerous going forward and pretty solid defensively as he showed against Chelsea in the Champions League, he really is a good weapon to have in your team. Manchester City have been linked with a big money move for the player in the summer but that could all depend on whether or not his former boss Roberto Mancini is still in charge at Eastlands by then.
6. Landon Donovan
While the American may have said that we was happy to return to the LA Galaxy after his short spell at Everton you can’t help but feel that he would have loved to have stayed in the EPL. Donovan made a big impact at Goodison Park and the fans would love to see him return as would David Moyes. I’m sure the two clubs will be in contact in the not too distant future to try and thrash out another deal.
7. Aruna Dindane
After spending the season on loan at the soap opera that is Portsmouth football club, Dindane probably cannot wait for the season to end. He has done enough during his time on the South Coast to show that he belongs in the EPL or another top European league. One thing is for certain he will not be at Portsmouth when the summer draws to a close.
8. Ricardo Carvalho
A key member of the Chelsea side that won back to back EPL titles under José Mourinho, Ricardo Carvalho has looked a shadow of his former self in recent seasons. The Portuguese defender made no secret of his desire to leave Stamford Bridge before the start of the current campaign and rumours will likely start again straight after the World Cup finishes. Don’t be too surprised if he links up with his former boss at Inter Milan as the pair have achieved great success together in the past.
9. Rafael van der Vaart
The Dutch playmaker has not had the best of times at Real Madrid after to moving to Spain from Hamburg in 2008. After being frozen out by new coach Manuel Pellegrini last summer his days at the Bernabéu appeared to be over. Despite coming back into the team in recent months, the midfielder will be looking to find a new home at the end of the season. A few EPL sides will undoubtedly be interested in securing his signature.
10. Marek Hamšík
With a couple of players expected to depart Stamford Bridge in the summer, there will ultimately be new arrivals too. One of the players on their wish list is Slovakian international Marek Hamšík. The goalscoring midfielder who currently plays for Napoli in Serie A is only 22 and could be seen as a long term replacement for Frank Lampard. While they are pretty big boots to fill this young man is not short of confidence and will certainly be playing for one of Europe’s bigger clubs sooner rather than later.