Club: Derby Birthdate: August 5th, 1988
Barnes lit up the Championship last season and he has already seen a long line of suitors contemplating bids for the 18 year old. That line consists of West Ham United, Arsenal, and Tottenham. Last term was his first full year in the first team and, consequently, his breakout year. Overall for Derby, though, he's appeared 58 times with a solid 9 goal clip as an attacking midfielder. The guy was probably THE reason that Derby has found themselves promoted this year and he's ready to take the club onto his shoulders yet again (with big help from forward Steve Howard). A broken foot during the Championship play-offs has sidelined Barnes and will keep him out of Derby's early Premiership match-ups against Portsmouth and possibly Manchester City.
Anthony Stokes
Club: Sunderland Birthdate: July 25th, 1988
The former Arsenal youth product was picked up by Sunderland boss Roy Keane after his impressive loan spell at Falkirk which consisted of Stokes scoring 14 goals in 16 games. He returned to Arsenal at the end of 2006 and sensing that his first team potential with the Gunners was dead, he succumbed to advances of Roy Keane and made a $4 million move to Sunderland. This move and continued first team play led to his first international cap with Ireland. The striker is known for his well-developed skill at such a young age, with the know-how to dictate the tempo of play - fittingly, he likens himself to Dennis Bergkamp. Look for him to play to his potential and attract some attention as he plays day in and day out at the Premiership level.
Fabrice Muamba
Club: Birmingham City Birthdate: April 6th, 1988
Yet another former Arsenal youth product, recently purchased by Birmingham for a solid $8 million and one who has high expectations of him at the Premiership level. Never given the chance to see significant first team time with the Gunners, Muamba - a defensive midfielder - spent last season on loan with Birmingham and was integral in their successes, appearing 41 times. Muamba and his family fled DR Congo (then Zaire) and sought asylum in England. His curiosity and desire to play football never ceased, despite the life-altering events, and now he regularly appears with the England U-19s. His strengths are his sheer athleticism, natural fitness, and raw talent. With continued play, Birmingham boss Steve Bruce aims to make him his idol, Patrick Vieira.
1 comment:
I like this post.
Post a Comment