Simple - they are the nationality of The Beautiful Game Weekly's six players to watch of 2011. Read further on to find out my choices and why.
Gareth Bale
What a year 2010 has been for the young lad from Cardiff. A forgotten man in the Spurs ranks a year ago, Bale has seen his stock rise significantly over the last twelve months with a string of excellent outings in a Spurs shirt leading to a fourth place finish for the North London outfit. The talented wingers' highlight has got to be his hat-trick and 10 out of 10 performance in the double header over Inter Milan in the Champions League aiding Tottenham to top Group A in The Champions League. Interest has been strong in the Welshman with Manchester United and Real Madrid both declaring their admiration for Bale but with a six year contract under his belt, Spurs fans will be hoping the ever humble Bale will be pulling on a Spurs shirt this time next year.
Andy Carroll
Newcastle's new Alan Shearer as Carroll has been dubbed is another youngster who has seen his stock rise massively over 2010. Leading the front-line remarkably at such a young age saw Newcastle storm back to the Premiership following their relegation to the Championship in 2009. Questions were asked as to whether Carroll could replicate his Championship form in the Premiership yet none should have been asked - the England international has taken to the top tier of English football like a duck to water. His excellent form has seen Newcastle consolidate an eighth place position over Christmas and has shown that the Tyne outfit can mix it with the big guns again. However, with January looming, Carroll's future remains uncertain. Newcastle fans will be hoping that, come February, Carroll will, once again, be pulling on the black and white shirt but with interest strong in the youngster, January could be a long month for all those associated with Newcastle United.
Jack Wilshere
Sticking within the shores of England sees us look at the young Arsenal midfield maestro, Jack Wilshere. 2010 saw Wilshere break into both the Arsenal starting XI and the England national side and his runner-up award for the 'Golden Boy Trophy' further identifies the talent of the Arsenal trainee. His performances in an Arsenal shirt this season has drawn praise from every sector of the media (although work needs to be done to curb his competitive nature) and the fact he made his England debut at the age of eighteen will surely aid his cause for a starting place in the future. Widely tipped as the next big thing for both Arsenal and England, 2011 could be the year Wilshere consolidates his place in both the Arsenal and England starting XI.
Romelu Lukaku
Or, the new Didier Drogba as the talented Belgian has been dubbed. Moving away from the confides of the Premiership from the final three of my six and the first name on my list belongs to the seventeen year-old Belgian prodigy - Romelu Lukaku. As Jonathan Stevenson, or Stevo from BBC live text, recently outlined in his recent read on the talented Anderlecht hitman, Lukaku is built like a heavyweight boxer whilst his ability and maturity sees him play the game like a seasoned pro despite being of such a young age. Despite two years of continuous interest from the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea, Lukaku has remained faithful to Anderlecht courtesy of his father and former professional, Roger Lukaku. With his dad wanting his son to see out his days at school, Lukaku has remained in Belgium until he graduates which happens to be in 2011. With Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho publicly singing Lukaku's praises to high heaven, 2011 may be the year the talented Belgian makes his big move from Anderlecht with Real Madrid the most likely destination.
Out of all the players I have, and will, mention, Romelu Lukaku is one to keep your eye on. I expect big things from the giant Belgian striker and he has all the talent to make it as the World's best.
Fernando Llorente
Moving across to Spain sees my focus switch to another striker, that of Athletic Bilbao frontman Fernando Llorente. The form of the Spanish hitman has been anything short of fantastic. The Basque footballing outfit finds themselves sitting in eighth as the winter break begins across Europe (bar England) and they have the massive Fernando Llorente to thank for that. Only recently coming to prominence in the last two years has seen Llorente's name become more and more prominent across the continent. Courted by the heavyweights of world football has seen Athletic Bilbao take a stern approach to any transfer that may occur. Heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid prior to the return to of form of Frenchman Karim Benzema leaves Llorente's future in the balance. Fully expect a move in 2011 whether it is January or the summer.
Edin Dzeko
My final player to keep an eye on (and fourth striker of my selection) is current Wolfsburg hitman Edin Dzeko. After a summer of rumours surrounding the Bosnian frontman saw Dzeko stay with the now struggling Wolfsburg. Yet, rumours continue to circulate around Dzeko and the case is when not if for his protracted move. After a move to AC Milan broke down last summer, Manchester City now appears the most likely destination, although the reported £38million asking price may be a bit steep for any club. With fourteen goals attributed to Dzeko in the 2010/11 season, the 24 year old is still hitting the back of net for club and country. The perfect number 9 for any club around the world leaves Dzeko in high demand and, like Fernando Llorente, expect a move to a top club in 2011.
So there you have it, my six players to keep a watchful eye over the course of 2011. Naturally there are hundreds of players I could have picked up on whilst the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Villa and the rest all deserve honourable mentions.
Anyway, got to go. For the second time, have a Merry Christmas.
Laters,
Macca
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