News
Big four to provide rising stars
The new year is here. And who will be the stars of football in 2009? Will the Big Four provide the names? Find out here.
To start with, a little bet is suggested...in fact, make it a rather large wager.
Football's star of 2009 will belong to either Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal.
There is an outside chance he will be at Manchester City, but only an outside one - and it depends on whether the price being paid is high enough or the player in question is willing to complete football's equivalent of walking out of a 10th-storey window, with your eyes closed, believing that a soft crash pad is waiting rather than hard concrete.
Robinho's arrival at Eastlands has changed perceptions about City. But it will take more than one, admittedly excellent, Brazilian to make the Blues a must-go-to for the modern-day football superstar.
Instead, look towards Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge, Anfield or the Emirates...Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Ballack, Steven Gerrard and Cesc Fabregas?
Yes, yes. We know all about them. But what about the eager youngsters just below the surface, eager to break through and carve their own names in big, bold letters?
In these times of multi-million pound transfer fees, how warming it would be to praise some home-grown talent at the big clubs.
It seems only fair to start with Arsenal.
With due deference to Sir Alex Ferguson and his famed Class of 92, in recent times it is Arsene Wenger who has created the best youth policy.
Wenger's work is part love, part necessity as the Gunners have lacked sufficient funds to battle Chelsea and United for the best established players.
The Frenchman's reputation is the reason Aaron Ramsey ended up in north London. United were just as eager to sign the Welshman, not 18 until Boxing Day, and agreed a fee with Cardiff - whose chairman Peter Ridsdale advised the player to move north.
But Ramsey, who styles his game on Gerrard, felt Arsenal was a more attractive proposition. After he made his debut in the Barclays Premier League, scored in the Champions League and earned his first full cap for his country, it is difficult to argue.
There are some in Wales who feel Ramsey is a better player than Ryan Giggs was at the same age. The tag of becoming the next Giggs is too great. Half of what the Manchester United great has achieved - which would mean five Premier League titles and a single European Cup - is a lofty enough aim for now.
Not far behind Ramsey is Jack Wilshere, a player already spoken of in admiring terms by England coach Fabio Capello.
There is no suggestion Capello is thinking of a senior call for the 16-year-old. But the Italian has suggested Wilshere may be fast-tracked into Stuart Pearce's Under-21s squad - and from there, who knows?
Not so much a driving force like Ramsey, Wilshere is more an intelligent playmaker in the Liam Brady mould.
Interestingly enough, Wenger is taking more of a Giggs route with him - shielding the Stevenage-born player from the insatiable demands of the modern-day media, just as Ferguson did when he was taking care of such a precocious talent.
That Wilshere was not old enough to drink the champagne given as reward for a Carling Cup man-of-the-match display serves as a reminder of his youth. But if his talent can be harnessed and guided properly, England and Arsenal will have cause for celebration.
At United, Rafael Da Silva is at the head of a queue of teenage Brazilians who have enough quality to break through.
Rodrigo Possebon and Fabio Da Silva are the others, their presence bringing a few nervous glances from more established members of the Old Trafford hierarchy - whose places are no longer secure.
But it is Fabio's twin brother who has really made an impression.
His energy, speed and, in all senses, bravery have effectively seen him muscle past both Gary Neville and Wes Brown as the Red Devils' first-choice right-back. That is not bad for a lad still to turn 19.
Big things are expected of Michael Mancienne at Chelsea, even though he has never actually played for the club.
Currently on loan at Wolves after a similarly impressive spell at QPR last term, Mancienne has joined a rare breed that has been called into an England squad despite having never played at the top level.
His contract at Chelsea runs until 2010, and it will be interesting to see whether Luiz Felipe Scolari allows Mancienne a suitable stage to test his talent.
At Liverpool, the star quality is not quite as obvious. But in Emeliano Insua and Jay Spearing, they do have a couple of lads capable of bursting through.
Like Scolari, the problem seems to be more about the faith of Rafael Benitez. Yet maybe, if 2009 yields a more robust Liverpool side, it can bring about a bolder streak in their manager too.
Zaki KO for Tottenham clash
Egypt striker Amr Zaki is set to miss Wigan's FA Cup third-round clash against Tottenham with a knee injury.
In a statement on his personal website, Zaki revealed he has been ruled out of the match after taking a knock in the game against Bolton.
Zaki joins a list of absentees that includes Emile Heskey (hamstring) and goalkeeper Chris Kirkland (groin). Lee Cattermole is also out through suspension.
Provisional squad: Pollitt, Melchiot, Taylor, Bramble, Scharner, Boyce, Figueroa, Valencia, Brown, Palacios, Koumas, Camara, Kilbane, Kingson, De Ridder, Kapo, Cywka.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his side are not far away from 'dominating' the Barclays Premier League.
Wenger feels his side are tantalisingly close to being a major force despite them sitting 10 points behind leaders Liverpool at the turn of the year.
The Gunners have endured a disappointing first half of the campaign after suffering five defeats in their opening 20 league matches.
Wenger's side sit fourth in the table, but the Frenchman has boldly claimed they are "one or two per cent" away from dominating the league.
Important Board Topics
Trending Topics