3. Javier Pastore: The Palermo ace is another who has been mentioned in this blog previously here and is currently something of a sensation in Italy’s Serie A.
He is a young talent who has drawn comparisons with big names like Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo and even Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. His team mate Abel Hernandez believes that Pastore will soon make his own name as “the best in the world.”
So far this season the 21-year-old attacking midfielder has scored seven goals in 17 appearances and has made two assists. Such is the quality of the player that Palermo can now raise their expectations and challenge the top places, according to former Juventus transfer director Luciano Moggi.
4. Alan Dzagoev: CSKA Moscow’s number 10 has been linked with Chelsea in the past and Roman Abramovich could be interested in bringing his countryman to Stamford Bridge if the opportunity presented itself. He is reportedly happy at CSKA, but has said in the past that if he did leave Russia he would like to play for Chelsea as he has followed the Blues for a few years.
Dzagoev was voted as the Best Young Player of the Year in 2008 by the Russian Football Union, it was his debut season in the Russian Premier League and helped to force his way in to his national side Russia.
The midfielder made himself known to British audiences after scoring from an impossible angle against Manchester United at Old Trafford to take the lead. The match ended 3-3.
5. Bastian Schweinsteiger: is the most experienced player on this list at 26-years-old and already has already had a trophy laden career – which makes him a popular target amongst many of the Chelsea faithful.
Schweinsteiger is a player who I think would be perfect for Chelsea in terms of his style and previous experience. I only wish that we had gone for him at some point in the summer, especially when the news broke that Michael Ballack would not be returning to the club for the 2010/11 Premier League season.
The Bayern Munich man is very adaptable and can cover a number of position if needs be, but his best position is in central midfield. It is a position he can definitely boss the game from and proved so magnificently last season during a double winning campaign with his club and also for Germany in the World Cup.
“Schweiny”, much like Lampard, possesses a great engine, is comfortable shooting from range and a good delivery from set-pieces. Very much the perfect all-rounder as a potential Lampard successor, but it could be hard to tempt him away from Bayern, the club he has spent his entire senior career at.
This article was first published on TheShedEnder.com