He had a good season with Lille. But (correct me if Im wrong) I think he's 26 and will never really be a 'world class' player. Don't get me wrong he's had a great seasons with Lille, 15 goals in all competitions, you cannot knock that. But he's simply to inconsistent, for example his goals tally for the previous three seasons have been pretty average 2002-2003 La Louviere 2 goals, 2003-2004 5 goals 2004-2005 La Louviere/ Lille 6 goals. It's not just his goals, its his performances that make me feel he will never be nothing more than just a 'decent player'.
Hey. What about Didier Drogba? He was a late bloomer and suddenly he became a superstar. I basically agree. But how did it happen that Drogba suddenly was discovered after playing in 2 league clubs.
Hi Maruti, You could well be right, but personally I cannot see he making that kind of transaction. There is occasions where players just suddenly become more that just average, but Drogba has always showed real promise ever since he came to prominence at Le Mans, he was pretty prolific in the one and a half seasons he had at Guingamp (scoring just over 20 goals) and its well documented how impressive he was at Marseille. So I just think Drogba always showed real 'world class' promise and although at times Peter Odemwingie shows signs of promise, it's simply not consistent enough. Maybe two season from now i'll be wrong, when he scored the winning goal for Manchester United in the Champions League Final and I would be the first one to stand up and say I underestimated Peter, but the thing is I don't think I will be. But you never know in Football and that's what make's this game so beautiful!
Thank you very much Maruti and tomaszlegg. I was wondering if you guys can give me a full description of Salomon Kalou. The few times I've seen him he looked like a mix between Robinho and Eto'o. I'm not sure if that's a good assessment, but I was wondering if you could give me anymore information on him. Does he really have the potential to be one of the best forwards in the world? And if so, do you think he can live up to this potential at Chelsea, a team with an unbelievably strong squad. Thank you. BTW anyone else with comments is welcome to share them.
Salomon Kalou He is very imilar a player to Eto'o. Fast, deadly, good dribbler. Also has a good eye for goal (would be useful instead of Arouna Kone) and can shoot from outside the penalty area. He can run, he can turn, he can shoot, he can jump, he can tackle, he can dribble, he can be a hawk in front of goal. Sometimes he can just be cheeky (with Henry type goals). An allround striker. Not to overhype him: He sometimes has tragic misses in front of goal... although nothing on the level of Dindane and Kone. 35 league goals in two seasons for his last club says something. yes. He has the potential to be a world class striker, although I don't think he will be as prominent as Eto'o. Nonetheless if they get him into the IC squad they will be so much more effective on goal. Definitely on par with Rooney as far as talent is concerned. Its no surprise he was so fought for by the Dutch coach.
Re: Top 10 Most Promising African Footballers! Adding on to what Maruti said, he is not your conventional 'out-and-out' striker. He's at his best playing just off a lead striker, either in front of the midfield or down one of the flanks in a 4-3-3 system. He's very comfortable running at pace with the ball at his feet, thus is fantastic at committing opponents and creating space for the front man. He like so receive the ball in wide areas and make diagonal runs into the middle of the fields, a large proportion of his goals last season were a direct result of him creating space for himself by making diagonal runs in from the flanks or simply stretching the defense with his pace! A word of caution, Maruti mentioned it as well, is he tends to have occasional lapses in concentration and makes glaring misses in front of goal. But Im sure Jose will sort those problems out! Comparisons between him and Eto'o... Im going to reserve judgment until his first season with Chelsea is over. No doubting he has the potential, but lets see how he handles the transition to the Premiership. I just cant wait to see him pull on a Cote d'Ivoire jersey for the first time, a great moment for the country and even great for the Africa continent to have a player of his potential flying the flag for African football.
Overall though, who will be the best in each position (defenders, midfielders, forwards) in these following countries: Nigeria, Senegal, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, South Africa, I am curious. And who will be the best defender, midfielder, forward in the whole continent?
These questions are spiralling out of control Its hard to choose the best for each position since a left back is different to a central defender and a defensive midfielder has a different role to a winger. I would have to name the entire squad. Best just to take the entire u17 squads of the countries and just copy paste them. I would have to go for the obvious choices. Potential is too little to be able to say authoritavely what will happen. My choice for the best African team in 2010: ------------------Vanzenkin-------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ------------Antwi--------------Quartey-------- --Eboue-------------------------------Taiwo--- ----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ------------------Y. Toure--------------------- ---------Mikel Obi------------Promise----------- -------------------F. Adu---------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ----------Opoku--------------Lebohang--------- That's my pick. Watch out next years African Nations Youth Championship. Especially check out the South African team. They need a generational change and the U20 side of 2007 will be important in creating the 2010 squad. Right now SA are crap. Watch out for the following players- Lebohang Mokeona, Samuel Maloka, Michael Nkambule, Lusanda Panya, Sibusiso Msomi, Excellent Walaza, Tshepo Masilela, Lance Davids, Lerato Chabangu, Calvin Kadi. Most should have a shot for the first team in the next couple of years (some of the above are above 20 years). First team players by 2010 should be Elrio van Heerden as captain (27 in 2010), Jeffrey Ntuka (25), Micheal Nkambule (22), Lance Davids (25), Lebohang Mokeona (24), Steven Pienaar as the oldie (28). Problem with SOuth Africa is that they have VERY few players in top teams in Europe, with van Heerden, Nkambule and Pienaar exceptions. And basing the national team on local players has failed miserably. South Africa needs some serious soul searching if they want to achieve anything in 2010.
He is. Or was. Ghana are trying to make him 'change colours' and the probality of this happening increased after the Ghana showing in 2006. Adu can still change national teams, cuz he has yet to play an official match for the US.
4-4-2 formation Babucarr Suso (Gambia) - GK Eboue (Cote d'Ivorie) / Jeffery Ntuka (South Africa) - RB Quartey (Ghana) - CB Antwi (Ghana) - CB Taiwo (Nigeria) - LB Chinedu Ogbuke (Nigeria) / Kalou (Cote d'Ivorie) - RM John Obi Mikel (Nigeria) - ACM Dino Djiba (Senegal) / Yaya (Cote d'Ivorie) DCM Solomon Okoronkwo (Nigeria) LM Isaac Promise (Nigeria) - RF Agyemang Opoku (Ghana) / Ismael Beko Fofana (Cote d'Ivoire) - LF Maruti don't forget Dane Klate and Junior Khanye for Bafana Bafana! If anyone would like me to elaborate on any of my choices im more than happy to.
Actually yes Please elaborate on: Babucarr Suso (Gambia) - GK And: DO you really think Ogbuke and Okoronkwo can be the wingers the Nigerian team so needs at the moment? I've seen Dane Klate play only once (I watch the PSL whenever possible). You can tell me what you think of him. Junior Khanye - if you listen to what they say about him he is the next Garrincha. I think he is 18-19 years old, but already a legend in Kaiser Chiefs, a top SA team. Its unbelievable that such a young player is a key player for a top league team (actually the best team in South AFrica). And he might actually be the best player in the team. I hope he moves to Europe to hone his skills. Cuz he is unbelievable. We have yet to see him against top clubs. Still has to mature a bit on dribbling (he overdoes it now and again), but on the other hand when it works it reminds you of the Garrincha era. Desription? Think Odonkor, but faster and with better dribbling skills. Not to good on passes and crosses yet, but he is improving. I would also add: Gift Leremi - a young winger with something every top tier team needs - a free kick and long shot specialist. Fast, good balance and very precise on shots and passes. The last is something lacking in most African teams. Also is good on the dribble. Lerato Chabangu - Supposed to be the McCarthy. For know at national level has been presenting us with some wild shots on goal. If you listen to what people say all four of the above should be first team players by 2010.
So Jeffrey Ntuka is very talented. How about Michael Modubi and Boy Boy Mosia the two other young South African players Chelsea loaned to Westerlo? Can anyone please describe them? Thanks Also can anyone give me info on Chidi Odiah of Cska Moscow, Yussuf Ayila of Dynamo Kyiv, Odita Obiora of Partizan Belgrade, and Victor Obinna of Chievo Verona? Thanks again.
Can someone also give me some info on John Owoeri who was loaned from Feyenoord to Westerlo last season? Thanks
Yussuf Ayila - a player every modern team neesd. He is a defensive midfielder, if necessary can be moved back into defence. Plays as a regular in the best Ukrainian team. Good with his head, sometimes tries long shots and isn't as wasteful with them as most African players. Can switch into offensive mode when necessary (similar player to Micheal Essien). Probably best remembered for his goal against Real Madrid in 2004. Most definitely will be a starter for the Nigerian team in the next couple of years, because he is th best defensive midfielder they have. As such players in this position are seldom spectacular, but Ayila holds his own on the field and can't be underestimated. If you want to know more about him just watch Nigeria play for the next couple of years, as he will be a definite starter. Chidi Odiah - young defender for CSKA Moscow. Has been a sure starter all season and made inroads for a place in the national squad. Hopefully will figure on right defense for the Eagles regularly in the future. A very good rightback. Very feisty, with a no-ball-is-lost attitude. Very good at 1 on 1 defending (extremely hard to get past), sometimes lets down on tactics (like offside traps). Always remembers where he plays and his multiple raids down the flank don't make him forget he is a defender. Very good crosses make him a real threat in attack. High technical skills (not all defenders have that). Extremely fast (10,5 seconds for 100 metres, for a time he was supposed to be a 400 m runner). Emmanuel Obiora Odita - (not Odita Obora). Don't know too much about him. Saw him play once. Speedy striker, causes havoc in defence, creates a lot of opportunities for himself. Very strong shot on goal, but needs to improve aim. I hear Partizan want to drop him because he simply isn't efficient in front of goal and press in Serbia get very frustrated because of some of the reckless misses in front of goal. Would have to move to a bigger club if he really wants to fight for a spot in the Nigerian squad. Possibly could play on the wings. Victor Obinna Nsofor - youngling, 19 years old. A possible future starter for the SE. Scored some great goals in his first season in Europe in first league Chievo. Only 6 in total from 26 games (albeit he played only 900 minutes in total and started only 9 games), but some of them were real crackers. For unknown reasons was dropped from the Nigerian u20 squad that made a name for themselves at the World Youth Championships. I hear he is on the move to Inter, but will probably stay at Chievo on loan (was supposed to join Inter in January, but stayed at Chievo). Similar type of player to Obafemi Martins, almost a carbon copy. Could be a problem, cuz it might be wasteful putting two similar strikers in attack.
Masilo Modubi - Hardly plays at his club. Quite small typical midfielder. Still regarded as an immense talent, but Westerlo seem less than impressed. Plays at U23 level for SOuth Africa despite this and is outstanding for his country. Its actually shocking he doesn't get more first team football at Westerlo. This can however partly been put down on injury plagued seasons. Plays a playmaker, central midfield type of role. Has a good eye and can make a lot of key passes. Boy Boy Mosia - having an even more torrid time at Wersterlo. Underestimated because of his height (under 160 cm). Very fast midfielder (normally a winger), low on the gorund, great ball control and dribble capabilities, has a great work rate (as though to compensate for his lack of height). Makes a good impression when he plays. John Owoeri - played for Nigeria at the WYC (I beleve he holds the record for the quickest goal) and was a prominent player for the squad. Forward/attacking midfielder (normally on the left). Another short player. Has a good eye for goal and is much better at finishing than most of his compatriots. As usual: quick player, low center of gravity, a real rascal. Unfortunately his career took a dive when he failed to impress at Wersterlo and Feyenoord and is currently back in Nigeria with neither club wanting him.
IMO if he did that he would get massacred by the media and some of the people in America, he would be labeled as a "traitor" and whatnot.
Thanks Maruti. Do you think that Masilo Modubi or Boy Boy Mosia will ever have a chance to play in the midfield of Chelsea, as both of their loan contracts end next year? Also, I was very impressed with Chidi Odiah when Chelsea played CSKA Moscow he was the best player, and he was amazing in the UEFA Cup. I was wondering if he (or Jeffrey Ntuka) could take the place of Geremi as Chelsea's #1 right-back. Thanks Oh, can you also give me some info on Chinedu Ogbuke? Was he really part on of three Nigerian's sent by Chelsea to FC Lyn, and if so do you think he will be a good acquisition in this season or in a couple of seasons? Thanks again
Answering the person above: If Freddy Adu goes to Chelsea than he will be playing for Ghana. If he goes to Man U he will be playing for the USA. Its almost certain. Not a chance unless they start performing at Westerlo. I think Masilo Modubi has a bigger chance than Boy Boy however. Besides - have you seen the squad of Chelsea??? I think its more a question of making a profit from sales in the future. They'll be on loans as long as they don;t make a mark at their loan club. Also, I was very impressed with Chidi Odiah when Chelsea played CSKA Moscow he was the best player, and he was amazing in the UEFA Cup. I was wondering if he (or Jeffrey Ntuka) could take the place of Geremi as Chelsea's #1 right-back. Jeffrey Ntuka - definitely. Chidi Odiah should definitely be playing in a big club. The road from CSKA Moscow is very short actually, so who knows. But I think he still has some time to spend in Russia. He is exceptional however. I don't however see him breaking into the Chelsea squad at the moment. Needs more positive PR in CL or at international level. Oh, can you also give me some info on Chinedu Ogbuke? Was he really part on of three Nigerian's sent by Chelsea to FC Lyn, and if so do you think he will be a good acquisition in this season or in a couple of seasons? I'm not sure about that. He definitely is a close friend of Mikel and they almost don't part (together with Ezekiel Bala). Almost inseperable. Wouldn't be surprised if he's in Chelsea right now. Scored three goals at the WYC where Nigeria finished second. One of those was a spectacular floating header. He is a right midfielder or a striker and one of the talented nigerian players that made it to FC Lyn. Has a knack for scoring spectacular goals, but sometimes doesn't seem to care about scoring the easy ones. Nonetheless prolific enough to make some inroads to the first team of Nigeria, but it will be hard for him to keep the spot until he gets a new club. Needs to move from Lyn cuz the atmosphere there is a killer.
Thanks Maruti. So Jeffrey Ntuka is that good, I really hope he comes to next season. As for Boy Boy and Modubi, I guess I meant the future midfield consisting of Diarra, Essien, and Mikel. As for Ogbuke, I remember watching him score that header I think against Sweden in the World Youth Championships. Very fast, great dribbler. I hope Chelsea get him cause it doesn't seem he is in Lyn's squad for the Uefa Cup qualifiers. http://www.uefa.com/footballEurope/Club=64215/competition=14/index.html
Adil Chihi from Morocco. He is 18 years old and plays for FC Cologne in germany. He played in last years U20 Worldcup for morocco and scored one goal. His coach said that he could be the new Lukas Podolski. German and English Media reported that Arsenal offered Fc Cologne 10 Million euro to get him.
Adil was impressive, but not as prominent as Nabil El Zhar and Mouhssine Yajour!! In both, Morocco have two promising players for the future! El Zhar offers pace, skill and provides the link between the midfield and Yajour. Its his intelligent movement and off the ball runs that created the space and opportunities for Yajour to finish with 3 goals in the tournament. Yajour on the other hand is the more physical option upfront. Blesses with great strength and skill, he is able to maximize the space created by El Zhar and is very reliable in front of goal. El Zhar (19) plays for Saint-Etienne in France, whilst Yajour (20) is contracted to Raja de Casablanca.