Fifa 2010 World Cup Player Watch: 32 Teams, 13 Stars Who Will Dominate Summer Transfer News

e star attractions are known to many; the Argentinian quintet of Ganzalo Higuain. Carlos Alberto Teves, Lionel Messi,  Diego Milito and not forgetting FIFA player of the millennium & now Argentinian  coach Diego Maradona.

And of course the likes of  Portuguese 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year Christiano Ronaldo, Arsenal’s dutch star Robin Van Persie, Manchester United’s & England’s top striker Wayne Rooney among other stalwarts awaiting to pull a performance that will engrave their names among football’s greats and demi gods.

However, we will shift focus a little bit.

If you are privy to happenings of previous World Cups, you will appreciate that quite often the momentous nature of football’s premier showcase fires an hitherto “unknown” player into a performance worthy of god status.

Here is a look of such players, with the X factor.  Meaning, they posses some thing over and above ability, a drive: To picture them, think of Spatracus in Sam Raimi’s Spartacus: Blood and Sand

These players are going to be the hot cakes in this summer transfer period considering that the world cup is a a common hunting ground for club scouts.

The list is in no way exhaustive considering that 736 players are competing for their different countries. Please feel free to comment and add any player you feel should be in this list. Including those whose countries are not represented in the FIFA 2010 World Cup,

GROUP A

World Cup Team: South Africa

Player with X factor:

Source: Getty Images europe.

When the Brazilian World Cup winning coach Carlos Alberto Parreira omitted Benni MCathy from his final list of 23 players who will don the yellow green Bafana Bafana colors of the host nation South Africa at the 2010 World Cup finals; many wondered who could fill the boots of English premiership side West Ham United  & South Africa’s all time top scorer. Parreira’s answer has been in Katlego Mphela.

The 25yr old who turns out for local power house Mamelodi Sundowns, after unsuccessful stints in the French league with Strasbourg and Reims, has responded to his doubters with a return of four goals in three matches including the only goal when South Africa beat fellow World Cup finalists Denmark 1-0 and extended an 11 game unbeaten streak under Parreira.

For Mphela, it was a continuation of his international career which begun when he was a teenager at 19.

His sharpness and direct approach on the world stage may earn him a contract in Europe especially if his two goals against Spain in the confederation cup (3-2 South Africa loss) are anything to go by.

World Cup Team: Mexico

Player with X factor

Mexico qualified 2nd behind the USA in CONCACAF qualifying group. A side that seeks to strike a balance between the exuberant impatience of youth and the eccentricity of older players. One young player who perfectly embodies youth is Tottenham midfielder Giovani Dos Santos. The player who bears semblance to Brazilian great Ronaldinho has a CV as long as that of his look a like.

• Born Brazilian but courtesy of FIFA rules, turns out for Mexico.
• Beat his motherland 3-0 in the under 17 World Cup in Peru. Awarded the silver ball for being the seci=ond beat player in that 2005 tournament.
• Two years later joined Barcelona, despite his obvious talent, the competition in the Barcelona youth system was enormous. Frustrated, he left to join Tottenham in 2008 in search of fistt team football.
• Standing at 5′ 9″ and weighing in at 71kgs, he still found it hard to cope with the physical demands of the European game just as he had in Barcelona. Eventually sent on loan first to Ipswitch and then to his former coach at Barcelona, Frank Raijkard in Galatasary.
• Made it into Mexico’s 2010 World Cup Squad but his brother Jonathan (another promising prospect) was left out. A decision that angered his father and hurt his family. Following this, he has threatened to quit international soccer (at age 21!). his brother has already done so. he still remains a key man in Mexico’s arsenal.
• Once in FIFA’s 100 promising player list. Speedy, tricky, intelligent,  with a dangerous shot around the 20 yard area, good with both feet but prefers his left & can attack from both sides of the field.

World Cup Team: France

Player with X factor

Source: Getty images.

Mathieu Valbuena. Nicknamed the little bicycle,  ‘Le Petit Velo‘ has come along way since his rejection by french club Bordeux for his small size. That was when he was 17, now the twenty six year old right winger posses enough ball skills, an eye for a pass and the creativity to double up as a play-maker. This notwithstanding, Didier Deschamps, his coach in Marselle at the begin of the 2009-2010 french season rejected him once again when he advised him to find another club as his in-consistency was un welcome.

Half way through the season, probably inspired by the chance to play in the World CUP, he inspired his team Marseille to the French championship, notching 5 goals and 2 assists in the process.

His latest goal was in his international debut-a long range strike that earned France a 2-1 win over Costa Rica. The only win for the stuttering French team in their World Cup preparations so far.

World Cup Team: Uruguay

Player with X factor:

Uruguay former two time champions have adopted the less popular formation of 3-5-2. A sleeping giant they claim to be. Key to this less common formation is a 21 yr old Ajax Amsterdam creative genius. Nicolas Lodeiro (no 14 in above image) was the star man the last time an Argentinian side exhibited some dominance in the world stage.

A year ago,2008-2009, he led his then team Nacional to the Uruguayan championship falling just shot of the infamous Copa Libertadores glory at the semi final stage. In a formation that suits more a defensive set up rather than an attack.

Uruguay will need that man to spray the passes around to launch attacks whenever held back by opposition. Nico is yet to make an impact at Ajax (a measly seven appearances) but his importance to the national side is unquestionable. Following a staring debut against Costa Rica, he drew comparisons of Uruguayan great Enzo Francescoli. His previous appearances were with his laudable exploits in the 2009  South American under 20 Cup.

A fast rising star. Will his name be introduced to the world this summer? The occasion, his country’s history, the expectation & the will to fill Enzo Francescoli shoes may provide the necessary push.

• Attribute: Has been termed the Uruguayan Messi- diminutive, fast, quick feet, skilled & both footed player with a preference for his left foot. Best employed as an attacking central midfielder. Dangerous free- kick taker.

GROUP B

World Cup Team:Argentina

Player with X factor:

Angel Di Maria (R) of Benfica battles for the ball with Steven Gerrard of Liverpool during the UEFA Europa League quarter final first leg match between Benfica and Liverpool at Estadio da Luz Stadium on April 1, 2010 in Lisbon, Portugal. (March 31, 20102010-03-31 16:00:00 – Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images Europe)

Angel Dimaria

• 22yr old Left attacking midfielder with an eye for goal. and loves to nail them in.
• Scored the lone winning goal against Nigeria capping an out standing performance during the summer 2009 Beijing Olympics.
• Described by Maradona as one who will take on the footballing world by storm.
• Currently with Portuguese side Benfica. English champions England keen on recruiting his services.
• Will be given a chance to shine if given his partnership with Messi.
• Messi provided the passes that DiMaria used to kill of first the Netherlands in the quarter’s and later Nigeria in the finals.
• The FIFA World Cup 2010 stage may provide the stage for his star to shine through the glare of Messi, Teves, Higuain and Diego Milito.
• Assisted the only goal in Argentina’s win over Germany way back in March.
• Club record: 2009-2010 season- 26 games (all as a starter)  5 goals 6 assists.
• Temperament that can be better channelled- has the unwanted record of being sent off in the in famous 6-1 drubbing of Argentina by Bolivia during the qualifiers. He subsequently served a four match ban for his violent kick out towards a Bolivian player.
• Interest from Chelsea, Juventus, Real Madrid

World Cup Team: Nigeria

Player with X factor

Action picture of Nigeria’s Lukman Haruna against Argentina at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007. The quarter-final game took place in Cheonan on 2st August 2007.
FIFA.com

Lukman Haruna

• 19 yr old turns out for Monaco carrying out defensive midfield duties, nonetheless scored 3 goals and assisted one during the 209-2010 season 16 appearances.
• With injury to Chelsea star Obi Mikel he steps in to fill the huge shoes albeit in a more attacking role that Mikel does for Nigeria.
• Technically adept thanks to his back ground at the Global crystal Academy.
• Industrious and a tight marker often on the wrong side of the referee’s rules. His 8 yellow cards in 16 appearances for Monaco.
• Like Obi Mikel, at such a tender age, he is being stalked by the big boys of Europe like Real Madrid and UEFA champions league losing finalists Bayern Munich.

GROUP C

World Cup Team: USA

Player with X Factor:

Edson Buddle celebrates after scoring USA’s opening goal against Australia. Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Edson Buddle. If FIFA World Cup 2010 team USA can cause an upset by beating England, They could find themselves in the Semi- Finals if the challenges of other teams they might meet (Ghana and Serbia are to be ignored) but that often is not the case in soccer.

The hopes of such a feat rest on the shoulders of re- born Edson Buddle. Just as the man he was named after the infamous Pele or as his mother would call him Edson Arantes di Nascimento, the hopes of an entire Nation, rest on the once troubled shoulders of this 29yr old  LA Galaxy Star. 

A man who has had to overcome ridicule of a stuttering career and the burden of substance abuse, if his form is anything to go by, he should make easy of scoring goals at the World Cup Finals in South Africa

• Major league Soccer top marksman this summer.
• Comes in as the most in form striker in the tournament with 9 goals in his last 5 games.
• Had also a 9 goals in 9 games streak in the season.
• With preferred striker Altidore nursing an injury, he looks set to lead the USA attack.
• Has already replicated his form with a brace against Australia in a friendly last week.

GROUP D

World Cup Team: Ghana

Player with X Factor:

Anthony Annan at 5′ 7″ weighing in at 68 kgs he doesn’t sound like the mould of players that springs up in ones mind when you think of an African player.

Neither will he strike you as a player to play as a defensive midfielder. His play is equally deceptive at times, a flick here, a dribble there the kind of flair that the man he has stepped in to replace, Michel Essien, is less associated with.

• Hard worker who combs every blade of the pitch much like Essien. Filling gaps, hustling the opposition, breaking attacks and cutting out crosses. Protecting the back four by stifling out any of the opposition’s creative flair.
• Unselfish, behind the scene play like the French former Real Madrid galactico Claude Makelele.
• The 23 yr old started out as a creative player before the switch to more defensive duties.
• Debuted in 2007 with a star performance against against Brazil has gone on to start over ten games for his country.
• Prying him away from his Norwegian Rosenborg side would not be so hard for a top European side. Besides has sour relations with the Norwegian Press following attacks levelled against him in the press due to his combative style that has led to confrontations with opposing players.

GROUP E

World Cup Team: Netherlands

Player with X Factor:

Gianluca Zambrotta of Italy clashes with Eljero Elia of Holland during the international friendly match between Italy and Holland at Adriatico Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Pescara, Italy. (November 13, 20092009-11-13 16:00:00 – Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images Europe) via Zimbio.com.

The dutch team has never fallen short of talent. This year’s South Africa World Cup won’t be any different. The pick here is quite a head ache.

In the short list is the experienced reliable but unsettled Liverpool Dutch star Dirk Kyut,  the exciting prospect of Eljero Elia who looks more likely to start following Arjen’s robben injury, Ibrahim Afellay the creative spark of PSV Eindhoven who has already attracted the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, and the 2003 European young player of the year Rafael Van Der Vaart who faces an uncertain future with the eminent changes at Real Madrid following Mourinho’s appointment as coach.

My pick will be Eljero Elia for reasons explained above and because of those in the shortlist, he is the “fresh- face” as Ibrahim has already turned out for Netherlands in 2008 Euro’s.

• Physical presence for a quick tricky winger, Stands at 5′9″ .
• Patrols the left flank terrorising defenders in the German Budensliga where he turns out for Humburg.( 29 starts, 7 goals & 8 assists).
• Can whip in dangerous crosses. One to Van persie during a recent friendly had the Arsenal Marksman quip ” There is a lot of talent in this Dutch side…….the crosses were perfect. Putting them at the back of the net was so easy”
• Has already attracted interest from Arsenal and Tottenham.

World Cup Team: Cameroon

Player with X Factor:

Cameroon’s midfielder Jean Makoun (top) jumps over Serbia’s midfielder Dejan Stankovic during their friendly in Partizan stadium in Belgrade on June 5, 2010 ahead of the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Picture courtesy of Road runner. com. Source:Getty Images.

Jean Makoun. A veteran, nonetheless the Olympique Lyon Midfielder is unsettled at his current club. It is understood that the 27 yr old is urging for a move citing Lyon’s recent slump, after a six year domination of the French Ligue, 1 has condemned the club to a third year without a trophy since 2008 as his chief reason.

• Accomplished defensive midfielder. Combative, good on the ball, hard working and with a jump that makes him dominant in the air despite his rather short figure of 5′ 8″.
• Knocked out Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid out of the Champions League with a thunder bolt strike from 30 yards in the return leg at the Santiago Bernebeu.
• May utilise the world cup stage to lure the likes of Tottenham Hotspurs, Arsenal and Juventus who have been reported to be keen on his signature.

GROUP F

World Cup Team: Paraguay

Player with X Factor:

Paraguay’s Lucas Barrios, left, kicks the ball to go on to score a goal as Republic of Ireland’s Glenn Whelan looks on during their friendly international soccer match at the RDS, Dublin, Ireland, Tuesday, May 25, 2010.

Lucas Barios: Couls have turned out for the country on his passport were it not for the equally sterling form of the Argentinian Quartet mentioned earlier in this post.

• Included in the for Paraguay World Cup squad courtesy of his mother being Paraguayan. Granted his passport in the recently gone by days( May 11th) although he claims he started the process of change in citizenship towards the of 2009.
• Has featured in three games for his new country. Scoring three times already.
• Partnership with Manchester City’s Roque Santa Cruz (two of his goals courtesy of rebounds after Cruz ’s strikes) may be helpful for both strikers as sant Cruz seeks to climb up the striker pecking order at Manchester City.
• Goal record: 49 goals in 53 games for his former club- Chilean side Colo colo. 19 goals in his debut season with German side Borussia Dortmund.
• Reported to be in the radar for many top sides keen to pry him away from Dortmund after only a season with them.

GROUP G

World Cup Team: Korea DPR

Player with X Factor:

Jong Tae-Se of North Korea plays during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifier match between South Korea and North Korea at Seoul World Cup Stadium on April 1, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jong Tae-Se (April 1, 2009document.write(localMDY(’April 01, 2009 00:00′));2009-04-01 00:00:00 – Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Jong Tae- Se. For this player, its a story of a man and three nations that could all claim him. A politician of some sorts to some but more of an embodiment of a man strong in his convictions as he is a bull on the pitch. A man dubbed the Asian Wayne Rooney both in spirit, fight, style of play and accolades as a striker.

• Chong Tese is his name in Japanese where he grew up and honed his football skills. Turns out for J – league side Kawasaki Frontale. Where the 26 yr old has made 160 appearances with 63 goals.
• Jeong Dae- Se is his name in South Korea the home of his parents and the land where he spent his formative years,
• Jong Tae- Se his name in Korean (North), his chosen home nation. He fought to play for them and continues to fight for them on the pitch.
• Korea funded the school in which he was educated in, a possible reason for his choice. The nation first debut and only prior appearance  in the World Cup in 1966, had an amazing run bowing out at the Quarter final stage having beaten Italy to secure the quarter final spot. The were the first nation to qualify for the 2010 19th edition of the World Cup.
• A team organized in defense, hard working in play and tactically aware. Jong Tae-Se the perfect embodiment of the side, has promised his compatriots a goal every game. His tally currently stands at 15 goals in 22 appearances.
• In the disrupted friendly with Nigeria, He had scored the solitary goal on the losing side of a 3-1 score. This was soon after they had gone two goals down to a resurgent Nigeria side.

GROUP H

World Cup Team: Spain

Player with X Factor:

Cesc Fabregas scores the winning penalty in Vienna as Spain reached their first major semi-final in 24 years. Image courtesy of Reutres and The Independent.

Cesc Fabregas. The fiasco surrounding the Arsenal Captain is familiar with all soccer fans. It has been the side dish story of the reigning European champions Spain’s World Cup preparation.

His heroics during the Champions League quarter final match against the very Barcelona are well documented.This marked the beginning of what looks like a summer long transfer saga.

This is a player who left the Barcelona youth system at 16 and was soon handed the captain’s arm band at the age of 21 becoming the English side’s youngest captain ever. His performances are worthy of a Captain- has contributed an average of 30 goals (usually split evenly as actual goals and assists) in the past few seasons despite blips of long injury lay offs.

In Barcelona’s scheme to hypnotize the world with their eye pleasing brand of soccer, none is better suited to take over from from their aging midfield maestro Xavi Hernandez.

As is with the norm, every Barcelona player when given the opportunity to joins in the chorus of asking Fabregas to join them in Barcelona. None other than Xavi Hernandes, recently joined this band wagon.

The lure of a happy reunion may prove too strong for Fabregas as Barcelona has a strong presence in the Spanish World cup squad.

This coupled with a trophy-less five year campaign for Arsene Wenger side in the background of Barcelona’s burgeoning trophy cabinet (including an unprecedented 6 trophy glut in the season ending 2009) could be another push factor.

Arsenal as expected, are unwilling to let go of their Captain just when he seems to be hitting his peak.

Although the midfielder, had hoped for his future to be resolved before the beginning of the World Cup, the tussle continues, the play ground is the board rooms and media. The stalemate stands although Barcelona are reported to have presented a formal bid of around 30 million euros.

Cesc Fabregas  makes it to this list because he is yet to fully replicate his exploits for his national side. This has been largely been due to the dominance off Xavi at his preferred “team Orchestra Conductor” role.