Scouting

[RickyVilla]

Cleverley was outstanding for Watford last season. There best player by far (pissed all over Lansbury from the Goons). I went to see Watford play Peterborough on a frozen pitch last season and he was head and shoulders above everyone apart from maybe George Boyd who plays for Posh. The boy has a bright future in front of him

 

[Michey]

This won't happen very often......but there is a few Swedes that i would like to see in Spurs in a season or two...if the continue to develop in the right direction.

Pontus Wernbloom - he currently plays for AZ Alkmaar and is a very powerful CM. Scores quite often and is a very tough player on the pitch. Can play both defence and attack

Emir Bajrami - plays for Twente since a month ago and is a very promising LW

 

[RobinLeonard]

This won't happen very often......but there is a few Swedes that i would like to see in Spurs in a season or two...if the continue to develop in the right direction.

Pontus Wernbloom - he currently plays for AZ Alkmaar and is a very powerful CM. Scores quite often and is a very tough player on the pitch. Can play both defence and attack

Emir Bajrami - plays for Twente since a month ago and is a very promising LW

When I first added Wernbloom to my signature it was as a joke because Wernbloom is such a cool dude. But I am more and more coming around to the idea that he would actually be useful in the premier league.

He really is a very dynamic midfielder, kind of like Sami Khedira (not quite on Khedira's level though). Wernbloom is a hard worker, has awesome movement both in offence and defence and he is a winner. The kind of player who wants to win every challenge and every game.

Berg and Toivonen got all the plaudits from the Swedish u21 team but really Wernbloom was the unsung hero and him being suspended in the semi-final showed.

 

[Bobishism]

I started a thread in here on Fletcher towards the end of last season. I'm
going to watch him and Doyle closely this season.
I too was surprised he didn't get snapped up by someone like Everton, who instead have stumped for the vastly over rated Beckford.

I was very impressed by Fletcher last season. He missed some easy chances granted, but is overall work rate and technical ability surprised me. He's a great buy for Wolves.

I want to know if anyone has watched much of Georginio Wijnaldum at Feyenoord? He is a powerful pacey player that plays wide left forward and I think he looks to have good potential. I haven't watched much of Feyenoord's full games so can't comment too much on him but i have been impressed with what I have seen so far. He's just 19 according to wiki.

He's got awesome hair.

 

[stevenurse]

Romelu lukaku looks like hes going to be a world beater soon. To be the top scorer in any league (Belgian) at the age of 17 is ridiculous.

Apparently Chelsea have already got a deal sorted with him to replace drogba but id definitely make enquiries. While on the subject of Belgians, it would be interesting to see the development of Defour and Witsel at standard

 

[THOWIG]

The weight of expectation is pretty big for Lukaku this season.

His form was indifferent prior to the Germany game but he, Hazard, Dembele and Fellaini caused Germany a lot of problems.

I know there are concerns for Lukaku's physicality as he's still growing.

 

[tototoner]

Xherdan Shaqiri looks pretty handy based on that goal against England, his contract with Basel runs out in January 2011

 

[RickyVilla]

One goal and he looks handy? Mabeziela would be a superstar by now if he was based on his one goal for us! ;-)

 

[danielneeds]

Xherdan Shaqiri looks pretty handy based on that goal against England, his contract with Basel runs out in January 2011

Conversely Derdyiok looked less than useless, there were a lot of brainiacs on here saying he would be an ideal link up man upfront for us. On the evidence of last night I would rather have Carlton Cole.

 

[tototoner]

One goal and he looks handy? Mabeziela would be a superstar by now if he was based on his one goal for us! ;-)

been linked with Arsenal, Inter and Barcelona before last nights game

Originally Posted by IMScouting

Xherdan Shaqiri will be one of the youngest and most inexperienced players at the upcoming World Cup, yet this teenage starlet could well be a massive hit.

Shaqiri is considered to be one of the brightest young talents of Swiss football today. He scored six goals and provided five assists in an impressive debut season (2009/10) at FC Basel , helping his team to the league and cup double. His terrific performances earned him a place in Switzerland's final World Cup squad at the expense of the gifted winger Valentin Stocker. However, despite his young age of just 18, not many eyebrows were raised when Shaqiri got the nod.

At present, it appears that Shaqiri will start on the bench for Switzerland's games in South Africa, as it is likely that coach Ottmar Hitzfeld will prefer more experienced and proven players such as Valon Behrami and Tranquillo Barnetta on the Swiss wings. Still, Shaqiri could easily be an adequate replacement for either, coming off the bench to inject pace and energy to the team in the latter stages of games.

Nevertheless, don’t be surprised if Shaqiri forces his way into the first XI during the tournament.

Shaqiri is an ethnic Albanian, who was born in Kosovo. As a child, he immigrated together with his parents to Switzerland and started to play for the youth team of local side SV Augst. Later, he moved to FC Basel 's youth team in a bid to play at a higher level and to further develop his skills.

Shaqiri, who usually plays as a left winger, is short but his physical strength belies his size. He is mostly renowned within Switzerland for his dribbling skills and remembered for a fantastic performance when Basel won the FIFA Youth Cup of 2009 that was held in Zurich. His great technique, good acceleration and pace make him a dangerous player, especially when he charges down the flank, looking for opportunities to shoot or cross the ball into the opponents' box.

He is also a versatile player who can play in multiple positions, and it is not rare to see him as a defender or on the right wing. Shaqiri has a fearless reputation, as he isn't afraid to take risks during the match, running at defenders or shooting from long range with either foot. When he runs down the flank, his speed, agility and balance help him trick his opponents. He likes to take advantage of his quick feet and mind in order to unleash a rapid shot or release a swift pass, making it tough to close him down and contain him.

For now, Shaqiri is still a young player who has just begun to appear on the professional scene, but there is no doubt that he is a special talent. With some more match experience, and under the right guidance, Shaqiri is sure to develop his game further and become a dominant force for the Swiss side. It is highly likely that Shaqiri's style of play will be a real asset for any of the world 's top football sides, particularly for attacking teams that like to play at a high tempo, relying on the technical skills and creativity of their players.

His diversity and his ability to adapt well in multiple positions make him the archetypical modern player, the kind who can swap positions during the match and confuse the opponents' back line – a talent that will surely help him grow into an even better footballer.

Here at IMscouting we believe there is a good chance Shaqiri will begin to build himself a worldwide reputation during the World Cup, but even if it doesn’t happen during the tournament in South Africa, it will be sooner rather than later that he bursts onto the global scene.

 

[RickyVilla]

Yep but you did say based on that goal!! Sorry just being pedantic. Don't mind me! ;-)

 

[THOWIG]

Conversely Derdyiok looked less than useless, there were a lot of brainiacs on here saying he would be an ideal link up man upfront for us. On the evidence of last night I would rather have Carlton Cole.

I didn't see the game last night as I was watching Belgium vs Turkey so I can't comment on Derdiyok's performance, but don't judge him on one international game.

 

[Bill_Oddie]

Okay, here's a name for you: Senijad Ibricic.

My Croatian mate that used to play for Dinamo and has managed several sides in this part of the world tipped me off on him. He's Bosnian, an attacking midfielder. He is currently at Hadjuk Split. They got offered 8m Euros for him in the summer but turned it down as they qualified for the Europa League and they are confident the offer will double once he shows what he can do there.

Bojan was raving about him and a few other youngsters currently in the former Yugoslavia. I'll try to keep us posted on each as the season develops. Ibricic is certainly one to watch++ if you have nothing better to do than view the Europa League.

 

[THOWIG]

I'm currently doing the first part of my Germany shift. Watched Bayern vs Werder tonight

Marko Marin, who is one of my favourite players, was outstanding tonight. He was given a huge amount of space to continually run at their defence. He will cause us endless amount of problems.

A special mention to Arnautovic who held the ball up extremely well and was equally impressive.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

I feel that Arnautovic and Marin are going to cause us huge problems on Tues.

 

[Dinpomp]

Sammir (23-years-old, Dinamo Zagreb, Attacking Midfielder)

Strong as an ox. Extremely difficult to knock off the ball. Tremendous form this year:

2010/11

Games: 14
Goals: 12
Assists: 7

Sammir vs. Villarreal (16.09.2010)

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In the summer he was rumoured with PSG as a potential replacement for Sessegnon.

 

[THOWIG]

Keep a close eye on Pedro Geromel and Nuri Sahin this season. Sahin has been the stand out player so far in the Bundesliga.

Geromel was incredible at the weekend.

 

[Marty]

The most exciting youngster I've seen recently is Markus Henriksen. Turned 18 this summer, but has been a regular in Rosenborg's midfield all season (Norway's season is from March to November), and is one of the main reasons why they're almost certainly going to win the league this year, they're 7 points clear with 6 games left and haven't lost a game so far.

He scores some great goals, including winners against both Linfield and AIK Stockholm in the CL qualifiers this season, but what impresses me most whenever I see him is how calm he is on the ball and his decision making both on and off it. He shows an incredible maturity for someone so young. I think he'll stay in Norway a couple more season but when he feels that it's time to step up I really hope Spurs take notice because in a couple of years he could be a brilliant addition to our squad.

There aren't any good videos of him on YouTube atm but give it time... In the meantime, this will have to do.

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And if you want to watch the highlights of Rosenborg's game at Brann last night, where he scored twice, both from outside the area (0-1 and 2-3), click here and press the play button in the video window.

 

[THOWIG]

Hernanes has settled down very well in Serie A. Think the pace suits his style, but he's been very impressive so far.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

Kagawa at Dortmund has impressed me so far, good on the ball and a decent eye for goal. Will be good to see if he can keep up this current form.