A Diminutive Playmaker With Huge Talent

The end of the 2011/12 campaign saw some of the greatest Italian footballers of the modern era depart their homeland for pastures new. Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso, Alessandro Del Piero, Gianluca Zambrotta and Filippo Inzaghi, who were all once key components in the Azzurri set up, said an emotional goodbye to Serie A after years of loyal service to Italian football. Yet, despite this end of an era, there is new hope from a younger generation to give optimism to the four time World Cup winners.

Leading this crop of new talent is Marco Verratti, the 5ft 5” boy years ahead of his age.

Following a hugely successful season in Italy’s second division with Delfino Pescara 1936, Verratti was instrumental in helping his team being crowned the Serie B champions. Whilst other youngsters such as Immobile and Insigne shone for the Dolphins, no player had bigger an impact than the 19 year old.

Favouring his attacking formation of 4-3-3, the then Pescara coach Zdenek Zeman deployed Verratti in a deep laying attacking position in the middle of midfield. Here the teenager excelled, proving an astonishing natural ability at unlocking defences with precise passes, eventually drawing comparisons to Italy legend Andrea Pirlo. Having received this impressive recognition, Verratti spoke admirably of the iconic Juventus man, stating how as a youngster he adored watching Pirlo play.

These series of impressive performances persuaded French moneybags Paris St Germain to prise Verratti away from Italy. Although other signings by Carlo Ancelotti dominated the headlines this summer, most notably Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi, it is Verratti who could provide the most excitement within the Parc Des Princes.

Already a very much Italian influenced side, Verratti has adapted brilliantly to the French capital, with a string of exhilarating displays.

Furthermore, the gifted midfielder has equally impressed in another shade of blue. Verratti made his senior international debut against Italy earlier this year and although his side lost the game 2-1, the youngster left with his dignity intact after an eye-catching performance.

Some of the greatest playmakers have worn the blue of the Azzurri. From Giuseppe Meazza and Marco Tardelli to Francesco Totti and Andrea Pirlo, who are still excelling in Serie A. And with this dawn of a new era, the diminutive Verratti could be another name spoken about for years to come.

Ten Years Too Long

It is that time of year again, as The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s ‘Zadok The Priest’ rings out from millions of television sets worldwide, the biggest teams in Europe will compete for the holy grail of club football.

And with six previous Champions League winners in the squad as well as a manager who has held the ‘big eared’ trophy aloft on two occasions, Real Madrid appear on paper as one of the most experienced and successful sides in the competition. Yet, it has been a decade since Los Blanco’s last tasted success in Europe.

With arguably the best manager and player in the world, in Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid still have a hunger to end a certain drought that is turning into an obsession. Remarkably, iconic captain Iker Casillas is the only current squad member to win the coveted trophy with Madrid.

Before Mourinho’s arrival in 2010, the Spanish champions were eliminated in the 2^nd Round on five consecutive occasions from 2005. Two semi-final’s in each of the last two campaigns highlights the effect of managers’ appointment.

However, Real’s near failures in recent years have partly been self-inflicted. In last year’s semi-final defat to Bayern Munich, key experienced players missed their decisive penalties resulting in the squad being accused of choking at the crucial stages.

With further negative stories emerging from the Bernabeu of late, the warning signs are flashing as the nine time winners look likely to press the self-destruct button once more. If Mourinho does intend to make history by becoming the first coach to win the Champions League with three different clubs, he must first resolve these underlying problems. Having questioned his players’ commitment to the cause, Mourinho is facing the most daunting task of his already illustrious career.

The long awaited arrival of Luka Modric may cause more problems than it solves, as space must now be found in the team for the Croatian playmaker. If the 27 year is to play in his natural position he must vie with Mesut Ozil and Kaka to find an answer to this conundrum. Furthermore, Ronaldo’s unexplained unhappiness could cause catastrophic problems in converting chances to goals. Madrid relies heavily on the former Manchester United star to produce in the big games, and if he is distracted the not-as-prolific Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain will be forced to deliver.

Yet, if any manager can once again bring European success to Spain’s capital it is surely ‘the special one’.

Gourcuff Back on Track

It is believed, for creativity to blossom it must be given the freedom to be expressed. If tactical implications restrict this talent from thriving, then it is near impossible to regain it. This conundrum is often experienced within football. For years, many great individuals have suffered from negative tactics being deployed, and therefore suffocating their originality. Yet, there are unique players defying these odds. It is those that are capable of picking themselves up after falling to achieve success that must be appreciated with praise. Once hailed “the finest French player of his generation” and “the natural successor to Zinedine Zidane”, Yoann Gourcuff has faced an uphill journey to gain the recognition his talent deserves.

 

Now 26, the Frenchman is hoping for a successful season. Having been dogged by injuries, which have in turn interfered with his confidence and form, Gourcuff is looking to re-establish himself as a crucial member of France’s national team.

Gourcuff made a name for himself whilst playing for Rennes, with some assured displays from the centre of midfield. Before making his senior debut for the French club, his father was the first team coach. However, failing to appear as a senior player during this spell, it was Laszlo Boloni who handed the gifted young player his first competitive taste of Ligue 1 football.

These displays caught the attention of some of Europe’s top club scouts and it wasn’t long before AC Milan won the race for his signature, costing the Italian club just under €5million. Wearing the number 20 on his back, Gourcuff found it difficult to adapt to life in his new home. Although the Rossoneri won the Champions League in his debut season, the new arrival did not feature in the final against Liverpool, thus concluding a challenging first year in Milan. Failing to rival star player Kaka as the sides’ trequartista, Gourcuff was eventually loaned to Bordeaux for the entire of the 2008/09 campaign.

After a hugely successful spell back in his native homeland, in which Bordeaux won the league and cup double, Gourcuff signed permanently for Les Girondins the following summer for €13.6million. His rampant form showed no signs of fatigue, providing a Man of the Match performance to help his new parent club win the 2009 Trophee des Champions title. Later that year, this growing French prodigy was named French Player of the Year by magazine France Football.

Deciding against staying in Bordeaux, Gourcuff signed for rivals Olympique Lyonnais for a staggering €22million. After a series of poor performances at the beginning of his career in the white of Lyon, the 26 year old expressed his “frustration” and “disappointment” in his form for his new team. After also being hampered by injuries, the attacking midfielder was controversially not selected in Laurent Blanc’s final squad for the European Championship’s this summer in Ukraine and Poland. This omission has provided Gourcuff with added motivation to prove his doubters wrong and recapture the form he had shown previously in Ligue 1.

A Long Awaited Return for France's Forgotten Man

Having only managed five appearances last season, Abou Diaby was very much the forgotten man for club and country.

After defensive frailties were exposed for much of that campaign, many voices from inside the Emirates Stadium were calling out for Arsene Wenger to purchase a box-to-box midfielder. Another season without a trophy had convinced them that what their team needed was a player willing to control a game from the centre of the park. Target’s Yann M’Vila and Marvin Martin were both pursued but to no prevail. Instead it would be another Frenchman who would fill this void, only this one was already at the club.

“He is the first player who would be on the France team-sheet in midfield when he is fit”, said the coach upon Diaby’s long awaited return. It is clear to see how highly Wenger rates his dynamic midfielder and having seen many of his star players leave the Emirate’s in recent years, Diaby’s desire will come as good news to Wenger.

After a Man of the Match display against Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League, Abou Diaby completed a perfect week, scoring the winning goal for France in their opening World Cup qualifier, a 1-0 victory away to Finland.

Critically responsible for breaking up opposition play from midfield, Diaby is also a naturally gifted player with the ball at his feet, capable of adding guile to his sides attacks. This audacious style has seen him win many admirers following his comeback. His impressive goal against Finland on Saturday night pointed out these capabilities going forward.

Much to Wenger’s credit, he often resisted dipping into the transfer kitty, believing that Diaby had all the traits necessary to succeed as an outstanding individual in England. The 26 year old has certainly proved Wenger’s prediction correct and wants to repay his managers faith, by committing himself to the North London club. His importance has been further highlighted following the departure of Alex Song to Barcelona.

Hoping to join the former Auxerre player in midfield alongside Mikel Arteta is Jack Wilshere, another long term injury casualty yet with huge promise. If the Englishman’s return is half as successful as Diaby’s has been then Arsenal fans have reason to be optimistic for the season ahead. The shouts from the stands will no longer be to buy a player but instead to keep one, or two

i Giallorossi's Iconic Number 10

In a game full of raw young talent, it was one of Italy’s oldest servants that proved to be the decisive factor. At the tender age of 35, Francesco Totti proved that he had lost none of his class as he guided his team to a 3-1 victory away to Inter Milan earlier this week. His performance in the San Siro was reminiscent of how he used to tear defences apart when in his prime.

Injuries and a change in formation have restricted Totti’s contribution to Roma’s play in recent years, yet after this Man of the Match display, new coach Zdenek Zeman will look to use the talisman as an attacking focal point.

A natural trequartista, Totti has been providing creativity and inspiration to Roma for two decades. In addition, he also played more than 50 times for his country, scoring nine goals.

After being spotted playing on the streets of Rome as a child, scouts from AC Milan offered the young gifted player the chance to play for the Rossoneri, however his parents declined this lucrative proposal to keep their son in Italy’s capital. And it wasn’t long before AS Roma came calling.

Adored from the terraces in the Stadio Olimpico, Rome’s most treasured gladiator wears his heart, as well as the captains armband, on his sleeve when wearing the colours of his beloved club. Having been playing in Italy’s capital for twenty years, Totti demonstrates a type of loyalty that is rare in the modern game.

This weeks outstanding performance against Inter Milan was perfect proof that clubs do not need to go abroad spending hundreds of millions on players when there is talent to be nurtured on their front door step. Totti did not cost the club any money in transfer fees but has provided them with something money cannot always buy, success achieved with loyalty and honesty.

Yet Another Gem From Ajax

Ajax are renowned for having a traditional playing style running deep through their club, instilled from the youth system to the first team, helping to produce some of the finest young players in Europe. Mentored by an array of former Ajax legends, some promising players are beginning to emerge in the Dutch capital. Nicolai Boilesen, Miralem Sulejmani and Eyong Enoh are just a handful of hopeful prodigies that are being groomed at the Amsterdam Arena. Yet, perhaps the player with the largest potential is new club captain Siem De Jong.

The 23 year old has gone from strength to strength in each of his seasons in the Eredivisie. Partnered by Danish wonderkid, Christian Eriksen in midfield, the two young playmakers have shown impeccable understanding to form a formidable partnership.

Frank De Boer has brought success instantly to Ajax since taking charge in 2010. Furthermore, his appointment of Dennis Bergkamp as assistant manager has highlighted his belief to stick to the attacking principles created by Johan Cruyff. Two consecutive Eredivisie league titles in two years have brought Ajax back to where they belong in Dutch football. This historic club is once again enjoying success being achieved through an attacking style.

This style clearly suits De Jong who loves to play with flair and instinct, directing play from centre midfield with his fine range of passing. The number 10 has also been given the freedom to make his typical lung busting runs to support the attack, therefore, often finishing a move that he had originally started.

Following Jan Vertonghen’s departure to Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer, the club, somewhat surprisingly because of his age, handed the captains armband to De Jong as a sign of trust in the gifted midfielder. Showing a constant example of his leadership qualities the blonde maestro often expressed his views vocally without the armband. “Even then, when there were things going on, I enjoyed getting involved,” Siem said following the news of his new duty.

Losing their star player’s to some of Europe’s wealthier clubs has been a factor that has limited Ajax to reaching its full potential. However, if they are able to hang on to De Jong then he, alongside Eriksen, could lead Ajax back to glory days that they are so famous for.

The Importance of Cesc

Whilst the red half of north London wept, Catalonia cheered with delight as Barcelona’s long lost son returned home. After eight years away, in 2011 the then champions of European club football, signed Cesc Fabregas for an alleged fee of £34m to end one of the longest transfer sagas in recent history.

Unlike other recent departures from the Emirates Stadium, Fabregas showed extreme loyalty and respect to the London club. His move was not driven by financial gain, instead being for pure footballing reasons. Believing honesty was the best policy; Fabregas had long publicly declared that his wish was to return to Barcelona.

Having been prised from the La Liga team’s youth system, by Arsene Wenger, as a sixteen year old, few predicted just how far the young Spaniard would come. Playing over 200 times for Arsenal, eventually being named captain as well as assisting goals in both the World Cup and European Championship finals with Spain are among Fabregas’ career highlights.

Spain’s dominance at international level has largely been based on the technical brilliance of its midfield. Marshalled by Xavi, assisted by his sidekick Andres Iniesta, the Barcelona men control the ‘tica-taca’ style of play that has become so famous across the world. In fact, so dominant is the Catalonian team within the international side, that out of the eleven who started the Euro 2012 Final, six were Barcelona players.

When Cesc returned to his beloved side a year ago, he had not lost any of the technical ability learnt in Spain or Barcelona’s playing philosophy. Instead, he had added to these qualities by toughening up in the more rigorous Barclays Premier League. Tackling was also an addition to his already vast collection of attributes.

With club and country team-mate Xavi now in the twilight of his career, Fabregas is being moulded by Barcelona to fill the void that the legend will leave behind. With obvious natural passing ability added to the drive and determination gained in England, Barcelona’s number four could go on to eclipse their great number eight.