Promising youngsters at the WC

[themodelcitizen]

Who's the wonderkids that will make a splash at this World Cup? Whether they're famous already or about to make a big splash, what young players will really make an impression in Germany?

I've got a chance to write a magazine article about the players under 23 or so who will really make an impact, particularly those who aren't in the scope of major football journalism. Who, from your country, or from a team you might be familiar with, is going to really attract the interest of top european teams?

I'm looking at Gyan for Ghana, and Nico Kranjcar for Croatia. Freddy Adu comes to mind, as does Lucas Podolski for Germany. This might be the tournament that Javier Mascherano really makes an impact for Argentina. Who else?

[dfb547490]

Adu probably won't be on the WC squad. As far as the US goes I'd be looking at (aside from the usual suspects Donovan and Beasley, who are still very young) Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector, and Eddie Johnson (also Chad Marshall if he makes the squad, but he probably won't).

[Wotan]

I hear that Gyan of Ghana is quite a talent. I feel him and Podolski of Germany will be the big name "youngsters". :)

[leonidas]

Franck Ribery for France is one guy...although he isnt really young at 22 (youngster to me is a teenager). He just hasnt been called up for France. Isn't a starter either, but he could be a solid substitute.

Cesc Fabregas is the one who sticks out. 18 years old and will probably make it to the Spanish squad, although likely as a reserve.

Messi is another obvious one for Argentina.

Salomon Kalou for Ivory Coast/Netherlands. It would be a travesty if van Basten is able to naturalize him though. 2.5 years in the Netherlands...he's only 20, and that makes him Dutch? Football poaching at its finest. Ivory Coast could use this guy to help them out of their tough group.

Christian Bolanos is the star for Saprissa. He had a great tournament in the Club World Cup and is probably one of the top players for Costa Rica.

Johan Vonlanthen, the Swiss youngster, in my opinion, will be quite the striker in a few years time. Plays for NAC though he's on loan from PSV at the moment. He still isnt a regular for Switzlerand, but I wouldnt be surprised if this changes. He's only 18 so I'm not sure if he will be that significant, but he has played well for Switzerland off the bench...and did score a goal in last year's Euro cup.

Emmanuel Adebayor for Togo and Monaco is another guy. Watch out for him in the upcoming African Nations Cup.

Julio dos Santos for Paraguay and now Bayern is another guy who could have an impact for his team. He is a possible Ballack replacement so yeah...and as the #10 for Paraguay, he's quite the player.

[afgrijselijkheid]

Salomon Kalou for Ivory Coast/Netherlands. It would be a travesty if van Basten is able to naturalize him though. 2.5 years in the Netherlands...he's only 20, and that makes him Dutch? Football poaching at its finest. Ivory Coast could use this guy to help them out of their tough group.




this is completely false:

1)kalou has been in holland since he was around 13, i believe he came when his brother joind Fword in '98

2)van basten is not naturalizing him, kalou has earned a dutch passport on his own merits following the rules like anybody else would - the coach did speak at a hearing to decide whether his citizenship can be approved a few months quicker than is normally done, nothing more

in the end, it is not up to van basten or minister verdonk or soccer fans - it is up to the player, who we may want to remember is also a person - if kalou says he feels dutch, then more power to him

poaching? give me a break

[karny9]

they're probably going to steal de guzman(feyenoord) from canada too.

[SmokeCity]

they're probably going to steal de guzman(feyenoord) from canada too.Yep and then we gonna rape and kill him.

[johan neeskens]

they're probably going to steal de guzman(feyenoord) from canada too.

Oh Look! Canada have one decent football player!

[Xevor]

this is completely false:

1)kalou has been in holland since he was around 13, i believe he came when his brother joind Fword in '98

2)van basten is not naturalizing him, kalou has earned a dutch passport on his own merits following the rules like anybody else would - the coach did speak at a hearing to decide whether his citizenship can be approved a few months quicker than is normally done, nothing more

in the end, it is not up to van basten or minister verdonk or soccer fans - it is up to the player, who we may want to remember is also a person - if kalou says he feels dutch, then more power to him

poaching? give me a break

Lol you are trying to correct him but it looks like you are not informed at all.

Salomon Kalou came to Holland four years ago when he was 16 and not 13.

The Dutch rules are that you get a passport when you live for five years in Holland. Without a Dutch passport you can't play in the NT. Kalou will get a Dutch passport if he waits another year but thats after the WC so thats why Marco van Basten is trying to convince Verdonk to give him a Dutch passport because he would be only good for the Dutch NT.

If Kalou had lived here since he was 13 he would have already a Dutch passport and there was no problem for him. He could easily join the NT. But right now he lives here for only four years and thats why he still hasn't got a Dutch passport.

I am also against this, because it makes no sense. Holland is becoming the Qatar of Europe.

If you are born there its okay but if you live there for only four years. can't speak Dutch at all (well a little bit) and your brother plays for Ivory Coast it makes no sense at all to play for an other country than Ivory Coast.

[Xevor]

Anyways another promising youngster at the WC is the Iranian Hossein Kaebi. He is 19 years old and he is also nominated by the FIFA to win the best young player of the WC award.

[karny9]

Yep and then we gonna rape and kill him.

uhh, what?

[karny9]

Oh Look! Canada have one decent football player!

and that is true, that's why it's such a big deal in canada. BTW, im not a supporter of canada.

[spoonman]

I am also against this, because it makes no sense. Holland is becoming the Qatar of Europe.


Qatar of Europe??? Kalou is the first ever neutralised player for Holland (as far as I know) and he doesn't even have his passport yet.

BTW I'm also against it.

[karny9]

Qatar of Europe??? Kalou is the first ever neutralised player for Holland (as far as I know) and he doesn't even have his passport yet.

BTW I'm also against it.

The only team that is remotely close to becoming the Qatar of Europe is France.

[King Rooney]

Oh Look! Canada have one decent football player!
shame that hargreaves is the best of the rest lol

[Pfeife]

The half German national team consists of newcomers and youngsters:
Mertesacker, Lahm and Jansen in the defense
Schweinsteiger and eventually Trochowski in midfield
Podolski and eventually Kießling in offense

[Xevor]

Qatar of Europe??? Kalou is the first ever neutralised player for Holland (as far as I know) and he doesn't even have his passport yet.

BTW I'm also against it.

True but if it continues like this way maybe it ten years time there will be a lot more of these Kalou types which the Dutch coaches want them to play for Holland. This is no international football anymore if it continues like this way.

The only team that is remotely close to becoming the Qatar of Europe is France.

Also true. I think you can also say that Qatar is the France of Asia.

[themodelcitizen]

Ok, back on topic, the Kalou debate deserves a thread of its own (if not an entire forum for the whole naturalization debate). Someone mentioned that they consider "youngsters" to be under 20, which is accurate but most teenagers will have a tough time getting called up to their squads. The fact is that there are still lots of players who aren't famous in Europe but could have a breakout world cup and attract a move to a top club, these are the guys I'm looking out for, generally they'll be under 23/24 or so.

Yaya Toure comes to mind, anyone seen him at Olympiakos this year? How's he doing?

[spencercs]

lionel messi of barca and arg, if he can break into the team will be incredible, robin van persie for holland, yaya toure, brother of kolo, for the ivory coast, fabregas if he makes final spain squad.

[SmokeCity]

Messi is simply amazing. Was voted player of the U20 WC in Holland last summer. According Henk ten Cate (assist.trainer Barcelona) he has got it all to be Maradona v1.2 :eek: . He will shock the world comming summer.