- May 9, 2004
- 424
- 33
Here are some suggestions I found at OZSpurs dot com, some interesting ideas in there:
Keeper
Marco Amelia, 25, Livorno
Italy's No 2 goalkeeper is, incredibly, still stuck at a club mired in the relegation scrap year after year. Has been linked with a move for the past 18 months. Sooner or later it has to happen.
Defenders
Christopher Samba, 23, Blackburn Rovers
Despite a long-term contract, too many scouts are already salivating over the Rovers defender to believe he'll see it out. Arguably Mark Hughes's best signing, pound for pound.
and
Olof Mellberg, 30, Aston Villa
Dependable, durable, physical and intelligent, Mellberg is on the market because he is out of contract in June. As Bosmans go, this one looks like a no-brainer for a hugely experienced defender with 79 Sweden caps and ten years’ experience in La Liga and the Premier League.
And
Cristian Zapata, 21, Udinese
The best defender you've (probably) never heard of. Quiet, unassuming but a fearsome athlete with size, strength and pace, he has been a Serie A starter since he was a teenager. Think a younger Sol judas, only less complicated and loyal to his fans.
And
Vincent Kompany, 21, SV Hamburg
Injuries have limited his development somewhat, but he's big, strong, quick and bright: invaluable assets for a central defender. Could be one of those "below-the-radar" deals that reveals a hidden gem.
And
Gianluza Zambrotta, 30, Barcelona
The prototypical modern full back who can fill either flank, he's been in and out at the Nou Camp this season. With the manager's future undecided, he could be tempted to try his luck elsewhere.
Midfielders
Deco, 30, Barcelona
Probably should have moved last summer, but remains available at the right price. A natural playmaker who, in the right context, holds his own defensively as well, he'd upgrade almost any midfield.
and
Rafael Van der Vaart, 24, SV Hamburg
After being billed as the second coming as a teenager, he has taken a few years to settle down, but is now comfortably one of the better attacking midfielders around. Already has 50 Dutch caps.
And
Diego, 22, Werder Bremen
He flopped as a teenager at Porto but, in the past two years, he has established himself as one of the best playmaking attacking midfielders in Europe. Creates tons of chances and scores a fair few, too.
Attackers.
Ronaldo, 31, AC Milan
Yes, he's still around. And sooner or later Milan may decide they're tired of waiting for him to get fit. Which means he'll need to be "rescued", possibly on loan. A gamble? Of course. But if you're romantic and you remember that he remains one of the greatest goalscorers of his generation (61 international goals and counting . . .) he may be hard to turn down.
And sell bent and a few others. Bent and west ham have been discussed, then sell him to them and take Scott Parker... He is a Tottenham Fan as well as being able to do a job for us and with good experience etc etc.
Keeper
Marco Amelia, 25, Livorno
Italy's No 2 goalkeeper is, incredibly, still stuck at a club mired in the relegation scrap year after year. Has been linked with a move for the past 18 months. Sooner or later it has to happen.
Defenders
Christopher Samba, 23, Blackburn Rovers
Despite a long-term contract, too many scouts are already salivating over the Rovers defender to believe he'll see it out. Arguably Mark Hughes's best signing, pound for pound.
and
Olof Mellberg, 30, Aston Villa
Dependable, durable, physical and intelligent, Mellberg is on the market because he is out of contract in June. As Bosmans go, this one looks like a no-brainer for a hugely experienced defender with 79 Sweden caps and ten years’ experience in La Liga and the Premier League.
And
Cristian Zapata, 21, Udinese
The best defender you've (probably) never heard of. Quiet, unassuming but a fearsome athlete with size, strength and pace, he has been a Serie A starter since he was a teenager. Think a younger Sol judas, only less complicated and loyal to his fans.
And
Vincent Kompany, 21, SV Hamburg
Injuries have limited his development somewhat, but he's big, strong, quick and bright: invaluable assets for a central defender. Could be one of those "below-the-radar" deals that reveals a hidden gem.
And
Gianluza Zambrotta, 30, Barcelona
The prototypical modern full back who can fill either flank, he's been in and out at the Nou Camp this season. With the manager's future undecided, he could be tempted to try his luck elsewhere.
Midfielders
Deco, 30, Barcelona
Probably should have moved last summer, but remains available at the right price. A natural playmaker who, in the right context, holds his own defensively as well, he'd upgrade almost any midfield.
and
Rafael Van der Vaart, 24, SV Hamburg
After being billed as the second coming as a teenager, he has taken a few years to settle down, but is now comfortably one of the better attacking midfielders around. Already has 50 Dutch caps.
And
Diego, 22, Werder Bremen
He flopped as a teenager at Porto but, in the past two years, he has established himself as one of the best playmaking attacking midfielders in Europe. Creates tons of chances and scores a fair few, too.
Attackers.
Ronaldo, 31, AC Milan
Yes, he's still around. And sooner or later Milan may decide they're tired of waiting for him to get fit. Which means he'll need to be "rescued", possibly on loan. A gamble? Of course. But if you're romantic and you remember that he remains one of the greatest goalscorers of his generation (61 international goals and counting . . .) he may be hard to turn down.
And sell bent and a few others. Bent and west ham have been discussed, then sell him to them and take Scott Parker... He is a Tottenham Fan as well as being able to do a job for us and with good experience etc etc.