In general I've tended to be more of a player follower than a team one. But in more recent years it has also extended into following specific teams due to the style of football they play. In this post I will probably waffle a-lot about the players I shall be watching out for over the course of the season. The transfer window is still open and more deals are rumoured to be competed before it closes. Going by the transfers that have happened, am looking forward to seeing how reigning German footballer of the year Marco Reus does for Dortmund. Enjoyed Mönchengladbach's football last season and the man really stood out. Be sure to follow Gladbach this season also and was very impressed by their young keeper Ter Stegen. For Dortmund, getting Mario Gotze back to full fitness and in action will be akin to a new signing considering the year he has just had with injury. Hummels is a player that makes defending look easy, very much like his style. Staving off interest from the Premier League, Pole Lewandowski is set to have a strong season. Staying in Germany, Bayern Munich have also made a number of signings. Dante the highly rated Brazillian centre back has joined and looks a good prospect. Claudio Pizarro is a good addition to their squad and it will be interesting to see how Shaqiri does. Mandžukić, outstanding in the Euro's will do very well at Bayern and add some urgency to their attack. Biggest of all is the capture of highly rated Javi Martinez. What a midfield they'll have with him and Schweinsteiger. Be some force with that. Martinez is a player had hoped Manchester United would make a move for. It is a big fee but worth it in the long run considering his age. Team to watch for, for sure and their signings could prove to be the biggest difference maker in Europe. So close they have come on occassions, to winning the big trophy. A club some miles away from Munich have been equally as busy in the transfer market. Juventus have stregnthened an already strong team. It is the names already there, I am most eager to watch including Vidal, Marchisio, Pirlo, Buffon, Bazagli and Chiellini. Giovinco has returned to the club, have watched a fair amount of him hope to see him continue to play as he has and to also improve. In Serie A there are a number of teams I'll watch: Napoli, Fiorentina, Udinese and maybe even some Milan. Players such as de Rossi, Montolivo, Inler, di Natale, Jovetic and Maggio are ones I will pay particular attention to!
Mesut Ozil is a delightful player, there are a-few worth watching at Real but Ozil>all as far as I am concerned! Surprisingly, Real Madrid have so far resisted spending any money in the transfer market. Coentrao recieved a-lot of plaudits throughout the Euro's and was impressed by him. Funny that when playing in Portugal on the wing his attacking wasn't anywhere near as good as it is now and he is playing back in defence. An exciting counter attacking team, Real are surely the most lethal/unforgiving club team on the break. Alonso, despite speculation is likely to be a Madrid player and is another I'm a bit of a fan of. Cannot forget Iker Casillas of course. It will be an interesting (usual) two sided battle between Real and Barcelona this season. A Barcelona with a bit of a difference with a new manager and a desire to win back the title. Have watched less La Liga of late, watching mainly the Clasico games. Enjoyed watching Atletico Madrid with Forlan. Aguero, De Gea similarly Valencia, before the likes of Mata, Villa and Silva moved away. The boys of Bilbao, a year older and a very talented bunch will be worth following outside the big two. Herrera, Iturraspe and Munian players I am very keen to see more of. New signing for Barcelona- Jordi Alba will bolster their team and be as much a threat going forwards. The thought of Alves on one side and he on the other is quite something! Usual culprits go without saying in the Barca team, for me Iniesta in particular is an utter joy to watch, run out of superlatives to describe the man. As always, there will be La Masai graduates making their mark such as Tello, Thiago, Cuenca and others. Elswhere in Spain will make sure to keep an eye out for Canales and Banega.
The Manchester United players I am especially looking forward to watching are Welbeck, Valencia, Vidic, Rafael, De Gea, Kagawa, Evans, Nani and Scholes. Having watched the impact he has made in the recent pre-season matches and of course Dortmund I am very excited to see Kagawa in action. He's just what United's needed, his intelligence and influence in the final third will add some variation to the teams attack. Neat player, very clever and a great attitude. Few teams in European football can boast such a roster of defenders as United- even if there is challenge in keeping them all fit. A relief seems an understatement, to explain the return of captain and defender supreme Nemanja Vidic. He and Ferdinand's perfect partnership will be in action most of the season, if Ferdinand's back holds up well enough. Certainly not in the camp of Ferdinands demise, he's suitably tailored his game and has a-lot to offer still. For the way he's been treated by England wish he would retire from internationals, also it is time England moved on and prepared for the WC. Other options in defence such as Smalling and Evans are players that I have a-lot of faith in. Smalling has a class about him, a natural replacement for Rio with arguably better aerial ability. Evans, following a strong season is an excellent passer from the back- one facet of his game I admire a-lot. Rafael da Silva has the potential but his stupidity and rashness threatens to ruin his chance. I would like very much to see him mature and become first choice RB. There are sides that frustrate but the passion in which he plays is great to see, he's an infectious player and a true Brazillian in his love for the game. Can never tire of watching Paul Scholes and this season will likely be his last. It isn't much to say given my age but have never seen a player with a range of passing like his, his ability to routinely pull of those diagonals is just incredible. Has to be used wisely though and Ferguson needs to not be so reliant on he and Giggs. Nani, very exciting, great dribbler, phenomenal touch, sometimes frustrating but have a good feeling about him for the coming season. Believe that he is set to really set the league alight, feel that he flies under the radar and doesn't get the plaudits his talent warrants. His all round game has come on a great deal, particularly his link up play. Power on the wing through Valencia, the new number seven- with a dying out of traditional wingers he is every bit one of those and a player I love to watch. Welbeck is another, he oozes class and is the perfect model of a modern striker. His athletitism, pace and all around game are particularly striking as well as his non-stop running in matches. Not saying he is the next Henry, far from it but aspects of his style remind me of the Frenchman. A polishing of his finishing skills and he could well be considered one of the leagues best. Have followed his career very closely which makes it all the nicer for want to a better word to see him do well. Similarly, Tom Cleverley who has a-lot of potential, his mobility, pass and move style would improve United's midfield and team-play immensly. He was unfortunate that last season, injuries curtailed his development, he is set to make his debut for England in the upcoming friendly, a big moment that has come later than planned. Onto another midfielder and Anderson, last chance saloon? Feel for him due to the injuries. He's had a good pre-season, early signs are good however am far from sure if he'll be able to become a mainstay in the team moreso that he'll avoid injury. Another big question is, can he do it consistently?
Give Me Five!
FW: Cavani(Uru,Nap),Welbeck(Eng,Mutd),Reus(Ger,Bodo),Messi(Arg,Bar),P.Cisse(Sen,New)
MF: Ozil(Ger,Real),Iniesta(Spa,Bar),Modric(Cro,Tot),Cleverly(Eng,Mutd),Marchisio(Ita,Juv)
DF: Alba(Spa,Bar),Alaba (Aus,Bmu),Hummels(Ger,Bdo),Vidic(Ser,Mutd),Alves(Bra,Bar)
GK: Buffon(Ita,Juv),de Gea(Spa,Mutd),Stegen(Ger,Bo-Mo),Casillas(Spa,RM),Neuer(Ger,Bmu)
On the international front it will be a season full of World Cup Qualifying matches held in September, October and March. A Carling Nations tournament is also planned and even if it doesn't go ahead there will definitely be an England vs Scotland match. I was ten the last time the sides played. It is a tough qualifying group that Scotland's drawn as usual. Belgium, Serbia, Macedonia, Croatia and Wales. Belgium are an up and coming national team with a host of prospects, top class established players and brimming with potential. Differences amongst their players are said to be troubling and a reason why they aren't currently ranked higher. Croatia will be no push overs and the Welsh have a big threat in Bale and some young players coming along. Joe Allen had a good Olympics and despite him having had a poor season just gone Ramsey willl also cause trouble. Craig Levein has had a mixed time and reaction with the national side. He has certainly called up a number of players and given many their debuts. He isn't afraid to give young players a chance but the tactical decisions sometimes leave you scratching your head. In terms of players, there is of course a question of quality when compared to other sides. However, there are a-lot of good young players coming through and that the majority of the squad are playing in England/high level is an advantage. The team plays better football but the struggle to score goals has been a problem. It is so frustrating the rift that means Steven Fletcher's made himself unavailable. His pace and quality is something that the national team desperately needs. Darren Fletcher is one of my favourite players and a key man for club and country. His health is paramount but he is very much the main man for Scotland and is a big miss. Hard road ahead for Scotland but there are reasons to be optimistic perhaps more reasons than before. Levein is encouraging more style and that we've seen but we also need to see some substance. How the team will do, in what is a tough group remains to be seen- a play off place seems the best bet and that in itself is difficult. It is a happier camp than it has been for years which must help. Players are positive and want to play for Scotland, just before Levein the team was in a mess and lacked direction/dedication. Many of the players heads didn't seem to be in at all.
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