Player to watch in 2009

redout · 31-12-2008 12:32am #1

As the title says who do you think will be the player to watch in 2009. Who will grab the headlines and make the armchair pundits across europe talk them up to the hilt. This is open for all leagues not just the premiership.

I will start it off and go with: Kun Aguero

This guy keeps up the way he is going then a big money move to a European giant is imminent with Barca looking likely if rumours are to believed.

CantGetNoSleep · 31-12-2008 12:42am

Aguero and Messi behind Eto'o would certainly be one of the most exciting forward lines in a long time

Zebra3 · 31-12-2008 12:47am

Messi.

Simple as.

Guy:Incognito · 31-12-2008 12:49am

I think this could be my breakthrough year. Watch this space.

Must be coming near Freddie Adu time aswell.

Trippie · 31-12-2008 12:52am

Ronaldinho to keep up his improvement, help Milan win the league and get back to the same level he was at before.

~Rebel~ · 31-12-2008 1:28am

Luis Suarez at Ajax to get a bit more exposure.

Smegball · 31-12-2008 1:32am

Benzema for defs.

wandatowell · 31-12-2008 1:36am

Eboue

He's gonna have a great 2009

eZe^ · 31-12-2008 1:38am

Young up and coming talent - Gonzalo Higuain/ Aguero.

World Player of the Year Material - Messi.

Argentine bonanza.

Tusky · 31-12-2008 1:39am

I dont think hes going to set the world alight or anything near it...but if Lucas keeps playing as he has in December, I think a lot more people will take note of him. Hes still only 21 and up until now hasnt looked like the player he was hyped up to be...but Ive been very very impressed with him of late.

eagle eye · 31-12-2008 1:43am

I've been following this young player for the last 12 months, he plays at Standard Liege and I expect him to make a jump to a bigger team by the end of the summer. His name is Axel Witsel.

The other one is at AC Milan, I seen him play in the Uefa Cup for them and he looks the business, his name is Alexandre Pato.

Who knows maybe Nani will come good as well.

whatawaster · 31-12-2008 1:46am

world stage:

Aguero
Benzema

Premier League:

Carlos Vela
Krisztian Nemeth (top scorer in the reserve league last season, 13 goals in 8 games for Hungary U-21s. A class act)

31-12-2008 1:50am

Kevin Foley.

Giuseppe Rossi.

Nani.

Anderson.

Hamsik.

Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Daniel Sturridge.

Jack Collison.

Gonzalo Higuaín.

Kerrison.

Guy Assulin.

Sergio Busquets.

Jay Simpson.

Steven Defour.

Keith Fahey.

DSB · 31-12-2008 1:51am

Theo Walcott.

Bounty Hunter · 31-12-2008 1:56am

~Rebel~ wrote: »

Luis Suarez at Ajax to get a bit more exposure.

think he was linked to Villa a while back, would love if he got his exposure there, though i doubt Ajax would want to let him go considering Huntelaar is now at Madrid, although they did pay a record fee for a striker only this season with that Sulejmani guy from Heerenveen.

he is exactley the type of player i think Villa need imo, would be a great signing and can play in a AM role too from what a dutch mate of mine says although maybe thats a mix between AM/suport striker as ive never seen him mentioned as a midfielder before. Still 21 too (turns 22 next month).

Xavi6 · 31-12-2008 2:06am

I thought this would be for relatively unknown or breaking through players. I'm sure most of us are already watching Aguero, Messi and the like.

Anyway, Daniel Sturridge.

Fuzzy_Dunlop · 31-12-2008 2:08am

Yeah Messi is the obvious one. He is clearly the best player in the world at the moment and one can only hope he stays injury free for as long as possible, he really is amazing to watch no matter who you support. Aguero truly is another class act as people have mentioned.

From an Arsenal biased point of view you can't look past Vela and Wilshere if they are given the chance. Wilshere may still be a bit young but Wenger says that when they turn 17 they are good to go so with a bit of luck he'll get his chance. Vela is just class and hopefully he'll burst onto the scenes in the new year á la Eduardo last year

redout · 31-12-2008 2:11am

I GuanYin wrote: »

I thought this would be for relatively unknown or breaking through players. I'm sure most of us are already watching Aguero, Messi and the like.

Anyway, Daniel Sturridge.

Fair point but the majority on here dont follow la liga and only know about the likes of Aguero from the odd article linking him with Chelsea. I did not mention Messi as he is already a global phenomenon and the best player on the planet at the moment in many peoples eyes . Hence why I asked player to watch 2009 meaning a new up and comer.

Bounty Hunter · 31-12-2008 2:15am

from what ive heard from a mate that now does my old job covering the south american leagues on Tran World Sport and from my experience of him from FM id say should anyone sign him Luilinha from Corinthians will be huge, he is still young though so might not make the move this year.

eZe^ · 31-12-2008 2:19am

Unknown talent? Then I really think Hernanes will blossom, as well as Zarate, Lavezzi, Gai Assulun and finally Xavi Torres (how the fcuk could he fail with a name like that... :pac:)

eagle eye · 31-12-2008 3:09am

eZe^ wrote: »

Unknown talent? Then I really think Hernanes will blossom, as well as Zarate, Lavezzi, Gai Assulun and finally Xavi Torres (how the fcuk could he fail with a name like that... :pac:)

classic:pac:

leninbenjamin · 31-12-2008 4:03am

thought i was in the football manager forum for a bit... :pac:

personally, i second the Luis Suarez nomination. Now that Huntelaar has gone from Ajaz, Suarez should get a lot more exposure. tbh, from my experience most Ajax fans seem to rate him very good, as good as Huntelaar if not better.

Fenix · 31-12-2008 4:14am

Depending on how well Bayern get on in europe, i'd keep an eye out for Toni Kroos, young attacking midfielder, looks a cracking player, shift over Ballack.

eZe^ · 31-12-2008 12:46pm

leninbenjamin wrote: »

thought i was in the football manager forum for a bit... :pac:

personally, i second the Luis Suarez nomination. Now that Huntelaar has gone from Ajaz, Suarez should get a lot more exposure. tbh, from my experience most Ajax fans seem to rate him very good, as good as Huntelaar if not better.

Isn't Suarez a winger? I say that because at the Emirates cup there was a winger who played amazingly for Ajax, and scored one absolute peach of a goal (and for some reason in that game there was another amazing goal a few minutes before or after Suarez's, it was Huntelaar from outside the box if I remember correctly). Fairly sure it was Suarez. Maybe I'm getting completely mixed up though.

Jivin Turkey · 31-12-2008 1:01pm

Jay Simpson.

He's going on loan to West Brom so most people here will actually see quite a bit of him. It will be a good test for him as they are struggling to find the net and at the bottom of the league.

It's been a long time since Arsene Wenger showed so much faith in a English youngster, but he is an established force in Arsenal's reserves and some Premiership gametime will really test his mettle.

thusspakeblixa · 31-12-2008 1:22pm

Mauro Zarate
Steven Defour
Roderigo Possebon
Sercan Yildirim
Mario Balotelli

Hobart · 31-12-2008 1:27pm

Emiliano Adrian Insúa Zapata looks the real deal to me. 2009 could be a huge year for him.

PHB · 31-12-2008 1:41pm

If its for young players making their breakthrough, it'd be Rafael I think. 18 year old just signed to first chioce RB for PL and CL winners. Fantastic achievement.

As for top players to watch, I think the rest of the season could belong to either Rooney or Messi.

Bubs101 · 31-12-2008 1:43pm

Chiellini could become a member of the World XI this season. Lavessi at Napoli is looking great and Felipe of Udinese is having his best season. Hugo Lloris to become massive too

Mr Alan · 31-12-2008 1:55pm

*just realised that age isnt really relevant*

he is still just meh, as Eze put it....never lived up to wat he could have been imo.

Plus, he cant really score this season.

eZe^ · 31-12-2008 1:55pm

PHB wrote: »

As for top players to watch, I think the rest of the season could belong to either Rooney or Messi.

To be fair, Rooney is going to have perform like he has never ever done in his career to overthrow Messi this season. Especially considering how good Messi has been the 1st half of the season, compared to Rooney being the epitome of meh so far. If Rooney is twice as good as Messi over the next 5 months then I'll admit I was wrong, but I think it's highly unlikely.

~Rebel~ · 31-12-2008 2:02pm

eZe^ wrote: »

Isn't Suarez a winger? I say that because at the Emirates cup there was a winger who played amazingly for Ajax, and scored one absolute peach of a goal (and for some reason in that game there was another amazing goal a few minutes before or after Suarez's, it was Huntelaar from outside the box if I remember correctly). Fairly sure it was Suarez. Maybe I'm getting completely mixed up though.

thats the chap, he was brought in after they sold Babel to pool and plays pretty much that exact position, LWF, though can drift over and attack from the right as well, has a great sense of space and where to find it. Very good finisher as well, gets a load of goals despite being in a more withdrawn, creative role then the likes of Huntelaar. His youtubes are well worth a watch as well, frankly i'd kill to have him at pool, would swap Babel for him in a heartbeat (and i really like Babel!)