Christian Chivu Club: Internazionale Nation: Romania For many years one of Europe’s most cultured defenders, the best years now seem to have passed for Christian Chivu. At Ajax, Roma, and in his early years at Inter, the Romanian was known for his excellent passing, composure on the ball and his astute reading of the game. A great leader, even as a young man, there were many who rated him among the best in the world during his time in the Italian capital. Hugely versatile, he’s capable of playing as a left-back or a central defender, and was superb for his country in midfield at Euro 2008. In recent seasons he has become rather more error prone, with lapses in concentration proving costly and a feeling that he is not fully trusted by managers. However, that is a minor blight on what has been an excellent career for a tremendously skillful player.
Ezequiel Cirigliano Club: River Plate Nation: Argentina The latest in an impressively talented line of Argentine defensive midfielders stretching back through Javier Mascherano to Fernando Redondo, Cirigliano was a vital component in the River Plate team which won promotion back to the Argentine Primera after a diasastrous drop into the Nacional B. He learned his trade at River alongside an ageing Matias Almeyda, another great Argentine "number 5", and plainly benefitted from that experience, playing since his debut with an extraordinary maturity and calm. Slight and short, "Ciri" makes up for anything he lacks in physical presence with commitment and a brilliant ability to read the game. His tackling is sharp and precise and he is a strong runner, but it is his work on the ball that is most eye-catching. Always open to receive the ball, he ceaselessly prompts attacks with short, accurate passing from the base of midfield, and is surprisingly technically gifted for a player in his position, often befuddling opponents with a flick or trick to give himself space. A fixture for Argentina's youth teams over the last few years, he seems set for a bright future. Indeed, the two Manchester clubs and PSG have already made enquiries, suggesting how rich his pedigree already is.
Aly Cissokho Club: Valencia Nation: France A blisteringly quick left-back, Cissokho is at his best when charging down the touchline to threaten the opposing goal. The defender made a remarkable ascent over to the top of the game over the course of the 2008/9 season when he moved first from French minnows Gueugnon to Vitoria Setubal in Portugal and then midway through the season to Porto. A promising first six months at the Dragao led to interest throughout Europe and Cissokho was due to move to Milan for £12m until he failed a medical due to complications noted in an examination of his teeth by the famed Milan Lab. When that transfer broke down he returned instead to France with Lyon and after a moderately successful three years switched again to Valencia. Positionally sound and a fine tackler, he is yet to fully capitalise on his early promise.
Jordy Clasie Club: Feyenoord Nation: Netherlands Diminutive central midfielder who makes up for his lack of size with desire and aggression. Primarily a midfield playmaker, the Dutchman is an excellent passer over both short and long distances and is able to dictate the rhythm of games from deep. A product of the Feyenoord youth academy Clasie went on loan to city rivals Excelsior and showed his promise from the start. On returning to his parent club he has become a mainstay of the team and is now the focal point of the side. His passing ability has seen Clasie likened to Barcelona maestro Xavi but his all-round game makes him more reminiscent of Feyenoord legend Wim van Hanegem, who starred for the club in their 1960s and 70s heyday. As he starts to get greater chances with the Dutch national team the young midfielder is likely to pick up plenty more admirers.
Fabio Coentrao Club: Real Madrid Nation: Portugal At home anywhere on the left flank, Coentrao is one of the game’s most exciting wide players. Having broken through at home town team Coentrao made the move to Benfica, going out on a series of loan deals in pursuit of first team football. When he finally broke into the starting XI at the Luz, Coentrao quickly showed the Benfica fans what they had been missing with a series of attacking displays which almost immediately earned him international recognition. Very much at his best when going forward, Coentrao was expected to be a constant choice under compatriot Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid but the fine form of Marcelo has meant that he has been forced to be more versatile, popping up in central midfield and even at right-back in search of playing chances. There remain major doubts over his defensive capabilities, but by and large his offensive contribution, particularly his excellent crossing, negate the impact of his frailties at the back and make him one of the most potent full-backs around.
Ashley Cole Club: Chelsea Nation: England Ever since he broke through at Arsenal Ashley Cole has been regarded as one of the best left-backs in the game. Initially noted for his attacking instincts, unsurprisingly for a converted forward, Cole worked on his defending to the extent that he is now recognised more for his work at the back. Positionally excellent the Chelsea defender seems to clear more shots off the line than any player in England through his astute anticipation and uses his pace to make up for any remaining deficiencies. That defensive discipline has been obvious in a number of high profile encounters, most notably against Cristiano Ronaldo, in which Cole has negated star wingers and come to own the left touchline. Now a veteran with over 100 caps, Cole has saved many of his best performances for England duty, with starring performances at every major championships at which he has featured. Also worthy of mention is the fact that Cole’s seven FA Cup victories makes him the most decorated player in the competition’s history.
Kris CommonsClub: CelticNation: ScotlandSometimes described as a winger but the 29 year old would be best described as a wide midfielder. Not blessed with abundant pace he does however possess good control and is accurate from distance with either foot. Commons has spent a large portion of his career in the Championship in England with clubs such as Stoke City, Nottingham Forest and Derby County. Highly rated whilst at Forest his career seemed to stall when he moved to Derby County on a free transfer in 2008. However, he came back with a bang in 2010 and by the end of the transfer window in January he'd managed to hit double figures in league goals for the first time in his career. With his contract due to run out in the summer he signed for Celtic for a bargain £300k on 28th January 2011 and went on to hit another 11 league goals in the second half of that season. Since moving to Celtic Neil Lennon has deployed him in the hole behind one striker and also out wide (mainly on the right) in a 4-4-2/4-3-3 formation.
Dario Conca Club: Guangzhou Evergrande Nation: Argentina Best known in Europe for being one of the highest-paid players in the world (his salary is $12.5 Million a year), Conca is a skilful, creative and decisive little Argentinian attacking midfielder who has played his best football in Brazil. He began his career in his homeland at Tigre, moved to River Plate at 16, but barely played in his time there, being loaned out with success to Universidad Católica in Chile, Rosario Central in Argentina, and then Vasco da Gama and finally Fluminense in Brazil between 2004 and 2008. He made enough of an impression in Rio for Fluminense to buy him in 2009, and he was a key player there, winning individual awards and a Brasileiro title before Guangzhou came in with a $10 Million offer for him in 2011. In Brazil he looked a top-class enganche, clever in his use of space, imaginitive in his ability to play in teammates, and with the technique to make the ball do exactly as he wished. He can dribble, employs some outrageous trickery, and shoots from distance when the chance occurs. But the Brazilian game is made for Argentinian playmakers - referees protect skillful players, there is space on the pitch, and plenty of pacy young colleagues to do the running for a more leisurely Argentine number 10, and questions remain about Conca's ability in another major league. Questions which, for all his technical accomplishment, will not be answered by any number of dazzling performances in China. He seems ready to leave Guangzhou soon, and his reputation may well rest on where exactly he chooses to go next.
Thibaut Courtois Club: Atletico Madrid Nation: Belgium Undoubtedly one of the most impressive young goalkeepers in world football, Courtois’ size and athleticism make him a hugely exciting prospect. Having started his career in his native Belgium at Racing Genk he was signed by Chelsea at the age of 19 and immediately sent on loan to Atletico Madrid to replace the outgoing David De Gea. Seen by the Blues as a natural replacement for Petr Cech he is yet to play for the club despite his undeniable potential. Few expected his loan spell in Spain to be quite so successful given the difficulty of settling in a new country and at such a big club, but Courtois shone in his first season, prompting an extension to his time at Madrid. Now also a Belgian international he is part of a phenomenal young generation targeting glory at Brazil in 2014.
Philippe Coutinho Club: Liverpool Nation: Brazil Amidst the pandemonium that is the January transfer window the arrival of Coutinho at Liverpool went largely unnoticed. Previously touted as one of the best youngsters to emerge from Brazil in recent years a lack of first team opportunities had dampened down some of the hype surrounding the Inter starlet. Certainly it was not reflective of a lack of ability. An attacking midfielder or forward who loves to flit between the lines of midfield and attack, Coutinho is technically excellent and his every touch of the ball hints at the menace he poses to opposing defences. A fine dribbler and possessing a wonderful right foot, his lack of physical strength is a weakness but not one that is insurmountable. Coutinho’s move to England will hopefully afford him the chance to demonstrate why he has been so highly regarded. After a loan move to Espanyol last season in which he shone, a move back to the wilderness with Inter was a major disappointment.
Leandro Damiao Club: Internacional Nation: Brazil With a style of play more like a traditional English number 9 than a classical Brazilian forward, Damiao seems ideally placed for a move to Europe. Excellent in the air and highly capable of leading the line on his own, Damiao’s strength and height make him an unconventional Brazilian striker. The forward has made a major mark already in his home country with Internacional, winning the Copa Libertadores in 2010 and excelling in the Campeonato Gaucho. In the nationwide Brasileiro he has found the going rather tougher, but some fine performances for the Brazilian Olympic squad underlined why he currently has many suitors. Chief among those are Tottenham who have maintained a longstanding interest in the youngster who would appear to be a sure fire hit in the Premier League.
Danilo Club: Porto Nation: Brazil One of a batch of young Brazilians fighting to succeed Dani Alves at right-back, Danilo is perhaps the best of the next generation. Tall and athletic he does not look like a typical full-back but he is also capable of playing on the right or in the centre of midfield. Danilo began his career at America Mineiro but soon moved to Santos and it was with the Sao Paulo giants that he first garnered international recognition. A key part of the team’s 2011 Copa Libertadores victory he was soon swooped upon by Porto but the Dragao allowed him to stay in Brazil for the 2011 World Club Championships. On arriving in Europe he almost immediately picked up more silverware, winning the Portuguese title in his first season for the club. The Brazilian perhaps doesn’t pose the same attacking threat for which his nation’s fullbacks are normally renowned, but his physical size and strength, along with sound positional sense mean that he is already an accomplished performer with room for further development.
Danny Club: Zenit St Petersburg Nation: Portugal When Zenit St Petersburg spent almost £25m to sign Danny from Dynamo Moscow in 2008 most football fans were left asking “Who?” The Venezuelan born Portuguese attacking midfielder had only made his international debut days earlier and had barely registered on the worldwide radar despite shining during his time in the Russian capital. However, an impressive debut in the European Super Cup showed the doubters what they had missed out on, and an excellent first few months for Zenit proved that it had been money well spent. Danny is a player with the class to change games in an instant, a fine dribbler, a threat in and around the opposing penalty area and an eye for a pass, he is a constant menace. The key problem that has beset him in recent seasons has been a series of injuries which have kept him on the sidelines. When fit there are few better players in Russia.
Dante Club: Bayern Munich Nation: Brazil A surprisingly late bloomer, Dante has now confirmed himself as one of the finest defenders in Europe. Having left his native Brazil at the age of 21 he bounced around France and Belgium, looking competent but unspectacular. That changed on arrival at Borussia Moenchengladbach where, under Lucien Favre, he established himself among the best centre-backs in the Bundesliga. What impressed at Gladbach was the full range of talents that the Brazilian possesses. He’s quick and physically strong, but also a natural on the ball and capable of breaking forward to start attacks. In that respect he is sometimes reminiscent of another Brazilian who excelled in Germany: Lucio. When arriving in Munich in the summer most expected him to join the rotation with Holger Badstuber and Jerome Boateng but he instantly made himself the premier central defender and is now one of the first names on Jupp Heynckes’ teamsheet. Now a full Brazilian international he could well be the man to partner Thiago Silva in 2014.
Michael Dawson Club: Tottenham Hotspur Nation: England A centre-back in the classical English fashion. Michael Dawson is a player who simply loves to defend. Physically strong and powerful in the air, he is very much a safety first defender who takes few risks and prefers to clear his lines rather than ponderously build from the back. For that reason he excelled in partnership with the more technically accomplished Ledley King whose poised performances offered a fine balance for the less polished Dawson. The centre-back first came to the fore at Nottingham Forest and was widely touted as a future England star, leading to rumours of a transfer to Liverpool, but injuries disrupted his progress and he ultimately moved to Spurs alongside Andy Reid. That move was probably for the best as Dawson quickly settled at Spurs and made himself an indispensible member of the side. Now forced to compete for his place given Spurs’ wealth of defenders he could yet force himself into the England set up following John Terry’s retirement.
Kevin De Bruyne Club: Werder Bremen Nation: Belgium Noted for his technical ability and prowess on the ball, De Bruyne is yet another young talent off the hyperactive Belgian production line. The midfielder impressed for Genk in their title winning season of 2010-11 and then started promisingly in the Champions League, prompting Chelsea to secure his services for around £7m. Normally an attacking midfielder or winger, De Bruyne has frequently been utilised in a deeper role at Werder Bremen where he is out on loan. Revelling in the space afforded in his double pivot position he has demonstrated an eye for a pass and no shortage of skill. For someone so young what has been impressive is his decision making and willingness to eschew the obvious option in favour of a better choice for the team. Whether he will now return to Stamford Bridge or go out on a further spell on loan will surely depend on Chelsea’s next boss.
David De Gea Club: Manchester United Nation: Spain Filling the gloves of Edwin Van Der Sar is no small task. Since arriving at Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid De Gea has suffered his fair share of criticism but also won plaudits for his exceptional shot stopping. Despite his height the young Spaniard lacks the physical presence to fully command his area and a weakness on crosses is something that opponents have exploited. However, it must be recognised that De Gea has had to face an unusually high number of shots due to the lack of protection provided to him by United’s porous defence. In dealing with those attempts on goal De Gea has demonstrated incredible reflexes and an acute knowledge of his angles, confidently turning balls wide of the post rather than parrying them back into the danger area. The ability to save shots that no other keeper in the league would have kept out surely compensates for his weaknesses and hints at a fantastic career to come.
Luuk De Jong Club: Borussia Moenchengladbach Nation: Netherlands The Eredivisie has been a wonderful finishing school for strikers over the last thirty years and the latest prospect to move on to bigger things is De Jong. The centre-forward’s move to Borussia Moenchengladbach has not yet been a complete success as he finds German defences rather harder to breach than their Dutch counterparts, but he has shown enough potential to suggest that he will crack it in time. De Jong is, in theory, a player who has everything. Standing over six feet tall he is a major aerial threat, but he also possesses the skills to play with the ball at his feet. When required he is also capable of playing in the hole behind the forward line and is an able creator with impressive vision. The reason that Gladbach pressed so far to sign him though as his ability in front of goal, having scored over 50 in his last two seasons at FC Twente. A host of Premier League clubs may yet curse missing out.
Nigel De Jong Club: AC Milan Nation: Netherlands Now notorious for his World Cup horror “tackle” on Xabi Alonso, De Jong’s reputation masks the abilities of a fine footballer. Unsurprisingly as an Ajax alumnus De Jong is a technically capable passer, rarely spectacular in what he does, but able to retain possession impressively. However, it has naturally been the ferocious challenges and high tempo at which he plays that he has come to be best known for, prompting the nickname of “the terrier”. After Ajax De Jong joined Hamburg before Mark Hughes spent a preposterous £18m to take the player to Manchester City. In England De Jong played the best football of his career, forcing his way into the starting XI for the Dutch national team and winning the Premier League in his final season. Yet just as inexplicable as the price paid for the Dutchman was City’s decision to sell him for a knock down price and allow him to depart to Milan in the summer.
Siem De Jong Club: Ajax Nation: Netherlands Like his younger brother Luuk, Siem De Jong is capable of playing either as an out and out striker or as a creative midfielder behind a conventional front man. That versatility though is more utilised than that of his brother who predominantly sticks to his centre-forward role. De Jong is a very well rounded player, hardworking and a clever user of the ball who creates chances for himself through his intelligent movement. By Ajax standards he is very much a veteran, given the early age at which players normally depart, and is naturally deferred to as a leader in the dressing room. Originally a product of De Graafschap, he moved to Ajax at the age of 16 and is now part of the furniture of the Amsterdam Arena. How much longer he’ll remain in the Eredivisie is uncertain given his form this season.
Daniele De Rossi Club: Roma Nation: Italy One of the finest defensive midfielders of the last decade De Rossi has precious few weaknesses. Tigerish in the tackle, hard working and a natural leader, he was born to play in the holding role for his beloved Roma. Yet De Rossi is far from a purely defensive footballer. A more than competent passer who has the energy to go from box to box when afforded license, he chips in with a reasonable number of goals when he does break forward. Numerous clubs have tested Roma and De Rossi’s resolve in previous years with speculative approaches, but he has constantly stayed loyal at the Stadio Olympico. Under Luis Enrique De Rossi’s talents were frequently deployed as a centre-back, making use of his shrewd reading of the game and astute positioning, but he remains more at home in midfield where he is able to influence the game on a constant basis.
Mattia De Sciglio Club: AC Milan Nation: Italy Whether playing on the right or the left, in either defence or midfield, De Sciglio is rapidly proving himself among Italy’s most promising players. A player with genuine pace and strong positioning he is following in a long line of exceptional Milan full-backs. Although he is strongly right-footed he is a competent crosser with his left and is also adept at using the outside of his right foot to arc a cross when he finds himself on the wrong side of the defender. The presence of Ignazio Abate may yet force the youngster to spend more time on the left, but he has already shown himself a player who reads the game with a surprising maturity for his tender years. Physically rather fragile, he has the height to play centrally if he chooses in the future, and has looked a natural wherever Milan have used him.
Mathieu Debuchy Club: Newcastle United Nation: France A highly adventurous full-back Debuchy has been performing at the highest level for a number of years and it was really only a matter of time before he left France for one of Europe’s biggest leagues. Originally an attacking midfielder or winger it is obvious in his style of play that he still loves to get forward. His pace and crossing are two great attributes, but in truth he looks comfortable defensively and is a player of few weaknesses. With Lille he won a league title in 2011 and used that as a springboard to international recognition. Injuries to Bacary Sagna have smoothed his ascension to the national team but Debuchy now appears to be well placed to retain his spot when the Arsenal defender returns. Newcastle were a long term admirer and had to see off interest from Inter Milan to sign yet another member of their French revolution.
Dedé Club: Vasco Da Gama Nation: Brazil Tall, powerful and athletic, this young centre-back looks likely to become one of the key players for the Brazilian national team over the next decade. Already established as a legend at Vasco, his club, who have consistently fought for national and continental titles during his spell in the first team, a few recent appearances for his country suggest a promising partnership with Thiago Silva at the centre of Brazil's defence. Vasco fans have nicknamed him "Dedéckenbauer", which spells out what kind of defender he is. Cultured, calm, he likes to bring the ball out from defence, and his poise and easy passing range also mean that he often finds himself relatively high up the pitch, joining in attacks, as well as prompting them from his own half. His height and aerial ability make him a threat from set-pieces. As a defender he is elegant, reads the game well, and strong in the tackle when he needs to be. Only his decision-making is questionable, but that will likely come with experience. A move to Europe surely beckons.
Jermain Defoe Club: Tottenham Hotspur Nation: England Given Defoe’s explosive shooting, pace and ability to find the target from a variety of areas it is a wonder that he has never fully delivered on the promise he showed in his youth. A striker with clever movement and an excellent right-footed shot he should really have been a perennial member of the league’s leading scorers. As it is he has tended to blow hot and cold, sometimes exceptional and at others mediocre. That should not though take away from the career of a player who has appeared more than 50 times for England and has scored at an impressive rate given his lack of starts for the national team. Previously criticised for his limited appetite for work and an inability to hold up the ball, Defoe has focused in recent seasons on improving his all round game. That ability, as well as a return to form in front of goal, has seen him increasingly favoured within the Spurs line-up.