Football Leagues » Premier League » World Cup Transfers
World Cup Transfers
World Cup Stars who'd be perfect in the English Premier League
Andy Greeves
Signing players on the back of their World Cup performances can be risky and expensive business. Individuals that looked like superstars in the tournament so often disappoint when they are transferred to a new domestic league - think of the likes of Ille Dumitrescu, Stephane Guivarc'h, and Li Weifeng and their ill-fated moves the Premiership.
There are others of course, who take to their new surroundings like water such as Jurgen Klinsmann, Carlos Tevez or Ossie Ardiles. With their success in mind, Soccerphile scoured this summer's World Cup for players we think would be dead certs to settle in the English Premier League. Managers have your pens and notebooks at the ready!
Maarten Stekelenburg (Goalkeeper - Holland)
Stekelenburg was arguably the safest pair of hands in South Africa. The Ajax number one is a great organiser of his back line, excellent on crosses and is a good shot stopper too. Arsenal have long been crying out for a top goalkeeper and if the Gunners are to maintain their place in the top four, they need a keeper of his calibre this season. £15m should be enough to prize him away from Amsterdam.
Carlos Salcido (Left-back - Mexico)
Bolton have been long time fans of signing aging South American talent and they could do much worse than to bring this gifted full-back to the Reebok Stadium. Salcido has one hell of an engine on him for a 30-year-old. Sadly for the Trotters, or any other potential suitors, he seems well settled at PSV Eindhoven.
Neven Subotic (Central Defender - Serbia)
Predictably, Serbian defender Neven Subotic has recently gained himself the tag - the 'new Vidic'. Strong in tackle and a master in the air, the 21-year-old shone at the World Cup just as he has in the Bundesliga for the past few seasons. Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have all shown interest in him but, at £25m, he doesn't come cheap.
Diego Lugano (Central Defender - Uruguay)
With vast experience playing in a number of leagues around the world, Lugano would be the perfect character to bring to a newly promoted team. Lugano showed in the World Cup that he's a leader and someone that can marshal a back line expertly. Newcastle United's defensive frailties saw them relegated in 2008/2009, so someone like Lugano would be ideal to help the Magpies tighten up at the back on their return to the big time.
Maximiliano Pereira (Right-back - Uruguay)
The versatile Pereira, who can play at right-back or in midfield, covered more ground than any other player at the World Cup - a staggering 66.5km. There's been a surprising lack of transfer speculation concerning the Benfica player though, who would be ideal in the Premier League. The thought of him operating the same touchline as Aaron Lennon would be a pretty tantalising prospect for Harry Redknapp and Tottenham perhaps?
Michael Bradley (Midfielder - USA)
Michael Bradley is the perfect example of a 'box-to-box' midfielder, the sort of player equally capable of making a vital tackle on the edge of his own penalty to popping up with a winning goal at the other end. With Aston Villa likely to lose James Milner this summer, Bradley would be an ideal replacement. He'd also cost Martin O'Neill a fraction of Milner's transfer fee to sign.
Mesut Ozil (Midfielder - Germany)
One of the undoubted stars of the tournament, Ozil is currently being courted by the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Barcelona. Ozil has the rare ability of being able to unlock even the most organised defences. The thought of someone of this creative talent moving to England, would cause many Premier League defenders some sleepless nights.
Wesley Sneijder (Midfielder - Holland)
Manchester United had a reported £29m offer for Sneijder turned down recently, but that isn't likely to be the last approach Inter Milan receive for their Dutch maestro over the next few months. Sneijder was one of the joint top scorers in South Africa, netting five times. His form at the San Siro last season was also irresistible, winning Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League, making him perfect stock for the Old Trafford club.
Keisuke Honda (Midfielder - Japan)
Honda's beautiful floated free-kick against Denmark was one of the most iconic moments of South Africa 2010. The winger, who currently plays for CSKA Moscow, has attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs this summer. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has described the midfielder as 'a genius' while Tottenham and Liverpool are also said to be interested in his services.
Diego Forlan (Forward - Uruguay)
Forlan endured an unhappy first stay in English football, albeit with a lack of first team opportunities at Manchester United. His form at the World Cup was sensational and Tottenham Hotspur look the most likely club to give him a crack at the Premier League If they can agree a price with his current employers Atletico Madrid.
Thomas Mueller (Forward - Germany)
The best proof that Thomas Mueller would be a great success in the Premier League was watching him rip apart England's defence in Germany's 4-1 triumph over the Three Lions this summer. The 20-year-old is set to be handed a new contract by Bayern Munich, to ward off interest from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.
An honourable mention to the following (who would also be ideal Premier League players)....
Vincent Enyeama (Goalkeeper - Nigeria)
Fabio Coentrao (Left-back - Portugal)
Alexis Sanchez (Midfielder - Chile)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Midfielder - Germany)
Gervinho (Forward - Ivory Coast)
Miroslav Klose (Forward - Germany)
Robert Vittek (Forward - Slovakia)
© Andy Greeves & Soccerphile.com
More Premier League Football News
|
|
|
|