Ten Potential Breakthrough Stars For The 2010-11 Season

Mario Goetze

Club Borussia Dortmund

Nationality Germany

Age 18

The BvB starlet just turned 18 and has been heralded by some as the best player in the world in his age group. At the club since 2001, Goetze made his debut last winter in the Bundesliga but is expected to push Kuba for a place in Juergen Klopp's starting line-up this season. Goetze has a wide array of dribbling skills and trickery and showed Manchester City that money is not everything by providing two fine assists in his side's 3-1 friendly win on Wednesday. Another young German playmaker in the tradition of Toni Kroos, Marko Marin and Mesut Oezil, Goetze willgive the youth-promoting Joachim Loew selection difficulties if his potential comes to fruition before 2012.

Dani Pacheco

Club Liverpool

Nationality Spain

Age 19

Spain's run to the final of this summer's UEFA European Under-19 Championships was thanks, in no small part, to the exquisite form in front of goal of Dani Pacheco. The former Barcelona cantera product primiarily worked the left-side of la Rojita's attack and weighed in with four goals, becoming the top scorer in the process. He also contributed a wonderful through pass for Rodrigo to put the Spaniards ahead in the final against France. Pacheco is a pacy, technically adept attacker with a fearsome strike and good approach play around the opposition area with lightening quick dribbling capabilities.

James Rodriguez

Club FC Porto

Nationality Colombia

Age 19

'James Bond' has a style to match Cristiano Ronaldo and now plies his trade in the same league in which 'CR7' first took his steps onto the world stage. Porto acquired 70 per cent of his playing rights this summer, for a fee of around €5m, and immediately inserted a €30m buyout clause into his contract. The Dragons have a reputation for nurturing South American talent in Europe and Rodriguez could be set for a career at the highest level. The attacker helped former club Banfield to their first ever Argentinian title, the 2009 Apertura, and later flickered in the Copa Libertadores, scoring five times. Rodriguez can do damage on either side of the attack and can also pop up at key times in the box. Physically, he can look after himself too.

Phil Jones

Club Blackburn Rovers

Nationality England

Age 19

The Lancashire native was excluded from the England under-19s for the recent tournament as he is now viewed as an under-21 star in the making. Senior honours are surely not beyond the realm of possibility either. He made his Premier League debut at the tail end of last season against no lesser opposition than Chelsea and impressed his manager Sam Allardyce with his physically imposing style and burgeoning ability. 'Indiana' Jones has already earned comparisions with the Chelsea captain, John Terry, and could push for a starting berth at Ewood Park this term.

Gael Kakuta

Club Chelsea

Nationality France

Age 19

Many thousand words were written about the former RC Lens prospect before he had even kicked a ball in anger, such was the effect his 2007 move to Chelsea had on English football. However, the midfielder looks likely to prove the Pensioners were justified in their pursuit, legal or not, of one of France's greatest emerging talents. This summer gave Kakuta a chance to strut his stuff in front of an international audience, at the under-19 tournament, and he helped les Bleuets to the title with a series of mesmerising performances. He often looked like he was playing in an age group below his own; proving too fast, too strong and too intelligent for a whole host of his opponents. Kakuta is naturally gifted in the playmaker position but is also effective when stationed on either side of a forward; such adaptability will stand him in good stead at Stamford Bridge.

Son Heung-Min

Club Hamburger SV

Country South Korea

Age 18

The Korean youth international has been tipped as one of the Bundesliga's top 10 emerging talents for the season but HSV will have to make do without his services for the best part of two months. Son appeared as a late substitute during the pre-season win over Chelsea but sustained a metatarsal injury minutes from the end of proceedings. The forward, nicknamed 'Rocket', has impressed coach Armin Veh in the build-up to the 2010-11 campaign having been on the books of the club since 2008. Son is capable of coming from deep or from wide positions to cause destruction and is adaptable enough to find a spot in Hamburg's first team, fitness permitting.

Thiago Alcantara

Club Barcelona

Country Spain

Age 19

The son of the 1994 Brazilian World Cup winner Mazinho has been at the Barcelona academy since 2004 and has already featured intermittently for the Barca first team. He scored against Racing last February in a 4-0 win. Thiago, as his shirt reads, has a style redolent of Deco in his Porto days with bravery and steel which belies his relatively small stature. He uses the ball quickly and efficiently and his keen sense of positioning means he is never far from the heart of the action. The Bari-born midfielder carries a deceptively quick shot and a subtle creative touch. His assist for Sergio Canales against England in the European under-19 semi-final was exquisite. Along with international colleague Oriol Romeu, Thiago can expect some first-team duties at Camp Nou this coming campaign.

Abel Hernandez

Club Palermo

Nationality Uruguay

Age 19

Possessed of searing pace and the build of a middleweight boxer, 'la Joya' is, perhaps, the primary reason why Palermo allowed Edinson Cavani to move onto Napoli this summer. And with Fabrizio Miccoli's fitness a corcern, the former Penarol player can expect more first team action this season. He is no stranger to first team duties having joined in February 2009 and has played close to 30 first-team matches since. Hernandez scored goals against both Inter and Milan last season as well as firing in a memorable brace against Fiorentina. In all he scored seven Serie A strikes, at a rate of one every 120 minutes. Turns 20 next week.

Jano Ananidze

Club Spartak Moscow

Nationality Georgia

Age 17

The 2010 Russian Premier League season is in full swing but 'Jano' could alert the world to his potential in the upcoming 2010-11 Champions League campaign. The Georgian teenager was used sparingly during the 2009 season but is rapidly becoming a key first-team player for The Meat this term, in spite of their on-field difficulties. Standing barely 1.72m and with the frame of a gymnast, 'Jano' has some problems holding off more agricultural opponents. However, with the ball at his feet, there can be no denying his passing capabilities and vision. He laid to rest rumours that he was considering a switch of international allegiance to Russia last summer by declaring for Georgia. Juventus, Milan, Sevilla and Arsenal have all kept tabs on Jano since he first broke into Spartak's first-team ranks.

Philippe Coutinho

Club Inter

Nationality Brazil

Age 18

The Rio de Janeiro native has been described as 'the future of Inter', having been signed by the Italian club in 2008. Coutinho has spent two years in his homeland on loan at Vasco de Gama, where he has steadily increased his reputation as a teenage prodigy. Standing only 1.72m, the Vasco academy graduate is nonetheless sturdy on his feet and is possessed of solid balance. One of his greatest atrributes is his two-footedness; Coutinho's opponents have no idea whether he will go left or right and he is equally comfortable delivering shots off either side too. He cost i Biscione a sum in the region of €4m in 2008; he is worth many times more now after featuring in Rafael Benitez's pre-season plans. He scored his first goal for the club, a volley, in the 3-2 defeat to Panathinaikos earlier this week. With the expected departure of Mario Balotelli, Coutinho could well find himself thrust in at the deep end this term.

Top 20 transfers of Summer 2010

I decided on the best acquisitions, in order from 1 to 20, and i encourage you to let us know your thoughts.

We judge based on:

The player's overall ability (this being the most important factor)
How the player will fit into his new line-up
How the player will adapt to his new surroundings, and vice-versa
The transfer fee payable, if any, and any other financial details known. (Transfer fees unconfirmed by either club are given as approximations and are marked in italics.)
For the reason that players arriving on permanent deals tend to be more adaptable and often more important, there is preference given to full transfers over loans. That is not to say that loans, co-ownerships etc. cannot be included, but players must be extra special to justify a space on such a move.


1
David VILLA
Barcelona - Valencia - €40m

The blockbuster deal of the summer so far. 'El Guaje' will add more firepower to an already explosive Barcelona attack. After his successful World Cup exploits with Spain, he should be the odds on favourite to win the Pichichi.

2


Marouane CHAMAKH
Arsenal - Bordeaux - Free

A classic Arsenal value buy that has the potential to be an extremely saavy signing. The ex-Bordeaux striker gives the Gunners a much needed aerial presence up front and could terrorise opposing backlines this season with Robin van Persie.

3


Yaya TOURE
Manchester City - Barcelona - €29m

City have flexed their financial muscle this summer and the Ivorian adds more steel to an already industrial strength midfield. Will team up with brother Kolo on the defensive side for the Citizens.

4


Simon KJAER
Wolfsburg - Palermo - €14m

Wolfsburg pulled one the coups of the summer by luring the defensive stalwart to the Bundesliga. The German outfit beat such heavyweights as Manchester United, Liverpool and AC Milan to the punch to land the highly-rated Danish defender.

5


ADRIANO Correia
Barcelona - Sevilla - €9.5+4m

Joins former Sevilla team-mate Dani Alves at Barcelona and the wing-back gives coach Pep Guardiola another weapon to unleash against his opponents across a variety of positions.

6


David SILVA
Manchester City - Valencia - €30.2m

The uber-talented winger takes his trickery to Manchester after seven years in Spain. Did not play a major role in la Furia Roja's triumph in South Africa but will hope to justify his lofty price-tag by helping City qualify for the Champions League.

7


Joe COLE
Liverpool - Chelsea - Free

The England winger will have something to prove after his substitute's role in South Africa and his unceremonious departure from Stamford Bridge, where he was deemed surplus to requirements. Chelsea's discarded trash could prove to be Liverpool's treasure.

8


Pedro LEON
Real Madrid - Getafe - €10m

Makes the intra-city switch to the Merengues after helping Getafe qualify for the Europa League with a sixth-place finish. Comfortable with the ball at his feet the versatile winger could surprise many who have yet to see him play.

9


Aleksandr KOLAROV
Manchester City - Lazio - €19.3m

The Serb will be keen to show off his rocket of a left foot for the Citizens. His marauding runs into opposition territory will sorely be missed by Lazio fans but will be a thing to behold for the City faithful at Eastlands.

10


Javier HERNANDEZ
Manchester United - Chivas Guadalajara - €9.7m

'Chicharito' makes the jump from Mexico to England with the Red Devils. He did his reputation no harm at the World Cup with Mexico and has already been hailed as 'first class' by new manager Alex Ferguson. Hernandez is definitely one for the future.

11
FILIPE Luis
Atletico Madrid - Deportivo La Coruna - €12m

The dynamic Brazilian left-back will hope to put the horrific injury he suffered last season behind him and force his way into Mano Menezes' new look Selecao squad with an impressive campaign for Atletico. Gives los Colchoneros an attacking threat from the back as they look to improve on their disappointing ninth-place finish last term.

12
Mehmet TOPAL
Valencia - Galatasaray - €4m

The 24-year-old leaves his homeland for a Spanish adventure and will be entrusted with the task of protecting his new side's back four. The Euro 2008 participant could end up being an inspired purchase at a bargain-basement price.

13
ADRIANO Ribeiro
AS Roma - Flamengo - Free

'The Emperor' will win over the hearts and minds of the Roman people if he can lead the Giallorossi to their first Serie A title since the 2000-01 campaign. He needs to exorcise the demons that haunted him at Inter to break his old club's stranglehold on the Scudetto.

14
Roberto SOLDADO
Valencia - Getafe - €8m

Los Che are relying on Soldado to fill the shoes of the departed David Villa. The former Real Madrid man could be the striker to fire in enough goals to eradicate the duopoly at the top of the Liga table.

15
Milan JOVANOVIC
Liverpool - Standard Liege - Free

The price was certainly right for the cash strapped Reds to snap up the Serbian attacker from Standard Liege. Jovanovic can win over the Anfield faithful with the type of performances that saw him win the Jupiler League's Player of the Year in 2009.

16
Leonardo BONUCCI
Juventus - Bari - €15.5m

Succumbed to the Old Lady's advances and has the potential to be Italy's next great centre-back. He should slot in nicely beside Giorgio Chiellini to minimise the defensive mishaps that plagued the Bianconeri last season.

17
Sami KHEDIRA
Real Madrid - Stuttgart - €13.6m

He was one of the first names on Germany coach Joachim Loew's team sheet in the World Cup. He used the South African jamboree as his coming out party and his solid showings convinced Real Madrid to come calling for his services.

18
Yossi BENAYOUN
Chelsea - Liverpool - €6.6m

Parlayed his successful 2009-10 campaign with Liverpool into a move to Stamford Bridge. With Joe Cole and Michael Ballack no longer at the club the Israeli playmaker might be able to find room to strut his stuff in the midfield.

19
Thierry HENRY
RB New York - Barcelona - Free

Traded the hot summer nights in Barcelona for the bright lights of the Big Apple. The ex-Gunner already came back to haunt old north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a pre-season friendly with New York Red Bulls and has shown early signs of creating a formidable partnership with former Premier League striker Juan Pablo Angel.

20


RAUL Schalke - Real Madrid - Free

With playing time set to be limited under new Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, Raul opted to leave the Blancos for Bundesliga outfit Schalke. He has impressed in the pre-season so far and should be a legitimate goalscoring threat for Felix Magath's side.

Wenger in Full Admiration of Mesut Ozil

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted his admiration for German whizkids Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller.

Werder Bremen ace Ozil has been linked with Arsenal, while Bayern Munich attacker Muller is interesting Chelsea and Manchester United.

Wenger is no stranger to investing in youth himself and he believes Joachim Loew should be applauded for trusting his country's young prospects.

"Germany have a good generation," said Wenger told Arsenal.com.

"For me they have three outstanding players in this tournament - [Bastian] Schweinsteiger, Mueller and Ozil. Two of them were with the Under-21s last year.

"Germany were not scared to face the new generation. When it works everyone says it is fantastic. When it does not work, everyone kills you."

Analysis of Summer Spending spree in premier league

From moneybags Manchester City to minnows Blackpool, the Premier League managers are all in the summer scramble for new signings, with the transfer window now officially open.

While the £26.1 million signing of David Silva saw Blues chairman Sheikh Mansour barely blink an eye, such extravagance is beyond the credit limit of heavyweight duo Manchester United and Liverpool. At the the other end of the table, teams such as Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers are looking for the gems that will guarantee mid-table safety.

These are the clubs who will be watching every penny and who should be splashing the cash...

1. Manchester City
The Blues are again in a league of their own when it comes to splurging money on bringing new players to the club. More than £100m is believed to be available to manager Roberto Mancini.

With David Silva and Jerome Boateng already signed up, they could be joined at Eastlands by James Milner, Edin Dzeko and Yaya Toure as the ambitious side aim for the top of the table.


2. Tottenham Hotspur

With a debut Champions League campaign on the cards, manager Harry Redknapp has been given £40m to spend. The majority of this will go on a top class striker, with Sevilla's Luis Fabiano and AC Milan's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar targeted.

Elsewhere, the squad could be boosted by the acquisition of Roma utility man Julio Baptista, while Germany World Cup 2010 utility defender Serdar Tasci is another player targeted.

3. Arsenal

With his defensive numbers decreasing by the day, about £30m is on the table for Arsene Wenger.

Lorient centre back Laurent Koscielny is on the verge of signing and giant Germany World Cup 2010 stopper Per Mertesacker could be next.

Free transfer Marouane Chamakh has already been secured, with Joe Cole set to follow. The future of skipper Cesc Fabregas will determine whether more cash is splashed on a replacement such as Bordeaux's Yoann Gourcuff or Werder Bremen's Mesut Oezil.


4. Chelsea
The days of uncontrolled spending at Stamford Bridge are over and about £25m is available to spend unless Liverpool superstar Fernando Torres is put on the market.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti is reported to have cast an eye on Germany World Cup 2010 stand-outs Oezil and Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller.

With Ricardo Carvalho increasingly injury prone, Benfica defender David Luiz could also make his way to west London.



5. West Ham United
New owners David Sullivan and David Gold have backed manager Avram Grant by placing a £12.5m bid for Santos youngster Neymar, with one eye on his sell-on value in the future.

The highly-rated striker could feature alongside Ghana World Cup 2010 hot shot Asamoah Gyan, Frederic Piquionne and Graham Dorrans after £25m was made available as the Israeli manager looks to make his mark with the Hammers.


6. Manchester United
The Red Devils' hierarchy have claimed Sir Alex Ferguson has cash reserves of £90 million available, but expect £25m at most to be spent this pre-season.

Youngsters Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling have already been signed up for a combined £20m, and now the Scot must add some established stars to his side.

Dutch World Cup 2010 superstar Wesley Sneijder and James Milner have been linked, while Simon Kjaer could arrive if Nemanja Vidic leaves Old Trafford.


7. Aston Villa
Chairman Randy Lerner has always backed Martin O'Neill in the transfer market and about £18m is available to spend this summer.

South Korea World Cup 2010 defender Cho Yong-hyung has already been linked, while reports suggest overtures for Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey have been rejected.

The boss could also return to his former club Celtic to snatch Aiden McGeady if star midfielder James Milner moves on to Manchester City.


8. Wolverhampton Wanderers
After already spending heavily on Burnley striker Steven Fletcher and Hull City duo Stephen Hunt and Steven Mouyokolo, the bulk of manager Mick McCarthy's business has already been completed.

Around £16m was made available at the start of the summer and the leftovers could go on securing Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne on a permanent contract.

9. Sunderland
Following a free-spending summer a year ago, manager Steve Bruce will again be looking to make his mark on the transfer market.

With £15m in the coffers, the boss must decide whether to make John Mensah's move from Lyon permanent. His intention to add more quality to his squad was made clear after a £7m bid was rejected for injured German international Heiko Westermann.

Egypt international Ahmed Al-Muhammadi is expected to join on-loan, while goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has already been signed.


10. Birmingham City
Manager Alex McLeish is keen to add more quality to join new boys Ben Foster and Nikola Zigic at St Andrew's.

With about £15m available to spend, bids for striking duo Bobby Zamora and Peter Odemwingie have already been rejected as the Scot looks to refresh his goal-shy attack.

In midfield, the club remain in the chase for Landry N'Guemo and Ryan Babel, but have given up on Charles N'Zogbia.


11. Liverpool
Manager Roy Hodgson has the biggest re-building job in Britain on his hands, but he will have just £15m to carry out the task.

He is expected to head straight back to Fulham to grab giant defender Brede Hangeland, while ex-Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva could add some experience in midfield.

An emotional Anfield return for Danny Murphy is on the cards, with Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart adding some glamour. Thoughts of a fresh bid for Rangers starlet Danny Wilson are expected to be consigned to the past.


12. Stoke City
Potters chairman Peter Coates has promised to stretch his budget if the right player becomes available and this could see £15m available to manager Tony Pulis.

Top of the transfer wish-list are striking duo Hugo Rodallega of Wigan and West Ham's Carlton Cole.

Any cash left over has been allocated for a player such as Landry N'Guemo, who spent last season on loan at Celtic from Nancy, and out-of-contract Toulouse defender Albin Ebondo.


13. Wigan Athletic

Manager Roberto Martinez shows no sign of stopping with just the club record signing of Mauro Boselli.

With £12m in his back pocket, the Spaniard will be looking to build on his erratic debut Premier League campaign.

World Cup 2010 stars Jakob Poulsen and Siphiwe Tshabalala could add more depth to the squad, while Hamilton starlet James McArthur is close to signing on the dotted line at the DW Stadium.


14. Everton
Manager David Moyes will again be expected to make £10m go a long way in the close season.

After already bringing in young guns Joao Silva and Magaye Gueye - plus lower league hitman Jermaine Beckford from Leeds United - the job now will be to add some more experience to his Europa League-chasing side.

The acquisition of Marseille bad boy Hatem Ben Arfa would add some flair, though Benfica and Paraguay striker Oscar Cardozo would seem to be beyond the club's means.


15. Fulham
The departure of manager Roy Hodgson has ensured chairman Mohamed Al-Fayed will have to make funds available for his new supremo.

Monaco centre forward Park Chu-Young would require the majority of the £8m in the kitty, while a move for Standard Liege's Dieumerci Mbokani has stalled.

Other cheap acquisitions to join Arsenal's Philippe Senderos would boost the Craven Cottage ranks.


16. Newcastle United
With owner Mike Ashley's coffers dry after being unable to sell the club, the days of the Magpies leading the way in the transfer market are over.

Manager Chris Hughton has already moved to spend the bulk of the £8m available to him on Paris St Germain striker Mevlut Erding.

He has also cast his eye towards the bargain basement signings of Bolton trio Jlloyd Samuel, Danny Shittu and Andy O'Brien.


17. West Bromwich Albion
The Premier League's yo-yo team will again be looking to survive on a tight budget.

About £6m will be on offer to manager Roberto Di Matteo, and a great deal of that could be spent on Stoke City's James Beattie.

The veteran would add to Pablo Ibanez and Gabriel Tamas who have already been secured, while promising Ivory Coast defender Bakary Soro is potentially the next name to join.


18. Blackburn Rovers
Adding goals to his shot-shy side is key for manager Sam Allardyce. Much of the £6m made available could be spent on tall Mainz centre forward Aristide Bance.

Reports of glamorous Bosman swoops for Real Madrid pair Guti and Raul have emerged, while impressive New Zealand international Winston Reid would be a smart acquisition at the back.


19. Blackpool
Tangerines manager Ian Holloway has already moved to stop the fans from worrying about a lack of activity, but funds will be limited at the newly promoted side.

With just £5m to spend, top of the to-do list is to wrap up the permanent signing of play-off final hero DJ Campbell.

Arsenal striker Jay Simpson could be brought in to form a new-look attack.


20. Bolton Wanderers
Free transfers and cut-price bids are the order of the day for the cash-strapped Trotters.

Veterans Martin Petrov and Robbie Blake have already arrived, while ex-West Ham United striker Ilan could be next.

With just £5m available, loan fees for Real Madrid starlets Marcos Alonso and Rodrigo Moreno, plus Espanyol winger Valdo, are on the cards for manager Owen Coyle.

Arsenal To launch fresh bid for Mark Schwarzer

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to acquire Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer after coming back to their Premier League rivals with a £3.5 million offer.

The Australia international knows of the Gunners’ interest in him and is keen to leave Fulham this summer, with Cottagers manager Roy Hodgson believing the 37-year-old will depart, according to The Mirror.

Wenger believes that Schwarzer is the type of experienced backstop that will help improve his defence, but not impede the progress of young goalkeeping prospects the Gunners have.

Last year’s first choice Manuel Almunia could be let go this summer as Arsenal are grooming Polish starlet Wojciech Szczesny to be the future number one.

Arsenal scouts attended Fulham matches at the end of the Premier League season and Wenger has personally attended his games in South Africa.

Fulham have already rejected a bid of about £3 million from Arsenal, but with the Gunners looking determined to buy Schwarzer, the Cottagers are prepared to lose their veteran goalkeeper.