Research for FourFourTwo Magazine
Lorenzo
Insigne
Napoli Nationality:
Italian Age: 22 (4th June
1991)
Higuain, Hamsik, Albiol, Reina… When Arsenal faced a Napoli side jam-packed with talent early on in the group stages of this years Champions League competition, it was youngster Lorenzo Insigne that Arsene Wenger picked out as a threat following a blistering start to the season. The right-footed, yet predominantly left-sided winger has been ever-present in the Napoli side at the beginning of the 2013-2014 campaign, and has began to be regularly selected for his nation. A scorching free kick in Europe against Dortmund lifted the Italian’s recognition, putting the pacy playmaking prospect into the spotlight. Tricky, mobile and technically accomplished – Lorenzo’s value will hit knew heights if his progression continues throughout this season.
Higuain, Hamsik, Albiol, Reina… When Arsenal faced a Napoli side jam-packed with talent early on in the group stages of this years Champions League competition, it was youngster Lorenzo Insigne that Arsene Wenger picked out as a threat following a blistering start to the season. The right-footed, yet predominantly left-sided winger has been ever-present in the Napoli side at the beginning of the 2013-2014 campaign, and has began to be regularly selected for his nation. A scorching free kick in Europe against Dortmund lifted the Italian’s recognition, putting the pacy playmaking prospect into the spotlight. Tricky, mobile and technically accomplished – Lorenzo’s value will hit knew heights if his progression continues throughout this season.
Xherdan
Shaqiri
Bayern Munich Nationality:
Swiss Age: 21 (10th
October 1991)
After starring for FC Basel
between 2009 and 2012, including an impressive performance against Manchester
United in the Champions League group stages, the Swiss international midfielder
was snapped-up by Bayern Munich for a reported €11.6 million. At only 21 years
of age, Shaqiri has already won the three Swiss Super Leagues, two Swiss Cup’s,
the Bundesliga, the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Super Club – including
international recognition as the best player of the Swiss national team in both
2011 and 2012. A winger capable of playing of either sides, noted for his
dribbling speed and ability, Shaqiri will only improve if regular game-time for
the European Champions continues.
Bernard
Shakhtar Donetsk Nationality: Brazilian Age:
21 (8th September 1992)
Strongly linked with a host of European clubs whilst playing for Atletico Mineiro, including Arsenal, Porto and Dortmund, Brazilian international Bernard wound up in the Ukraine – after Shakhtar shelled-out around €25 million for his services. A left-sided winger with bags of energy and speed in abundance, he will be hoping the improving Ukranian League offers a standard high enough to support his progression and gain further recognition back in Brazil. On his recent return to the starting line-up for Shakhtar, Bernard managed four assists in a 7-0 demolition of Arsenal Kyiv. More of the same will see Bernard add to his 6 international caps over the coming year.
Strongly linked with a host of European clubs whilst playing for Atletico Mineiro, including Arsenal, Porto and Dortmund, Brazilian international Bernard wound up in the Ukraine – after Shakhtar shelled-out around €25 million for his services. A left-sided winger with bags of energy and speed in abundance, he will be hoping the improving Ukranian League offers a standard high enough to support his progression and gain further recognition back in Brazil. On his recent return to the starting line-up for Shakhtar, Bernard managed four assists in a 7-0 demolition of Arsenal Kyiv. More of the same will see Bernard add to his 6 international caps over the coming year.
Aleksandr
Kokorin
Dynamo Moscow Nationality:
Russian Age: 22 (19th
March 1991)
Labelled as ‘the next best thing’
in Russia – the ‘future of Russian football’ alongside Dzagoev – Kokorin has
been chased by Aston Villa and briefly earned a move to Anzhi before their
restructuring crisis saw him return to Dynamo without making an appearance.
Having already captained Dynamo and cemented a place in the Russian national
side at only 22 years of age, this season is massive for the lightning quick
forward. A strong start with 5 goals in 7 games for Dynamo has been accompanied
by a good run of form in World Cup Qualifying, helping Russia to the top of
their group, ahead of Portugal. It is looking likely that a summer in Brazil
will offer the young Russian an opportunity to shine in the eyes of the
footballing world.
Iker Muniain
Athletic Bilbao Nationality: Spanish Age: 20 (19th December 1992)
For only twenty, Athletics’ youngest player and goalscorer has been on the football radar for a while. Being known to the media in España as ‘The Spanish Messi’ brings considerable pressures, but Muniain has seemingly thrived off such comparisons, continuously showing his skill, and eye for a pass. Having already made well over 100 appearances for Bilbao, who remain the only side other than Real Madrid and Barcelona to never be relegated from La Liga, the attack-minded player would have hoped for more than one solitary cap for Spain. A notably dissapointing 2012-2013 campaign may have held him back, but Muniain has addressed the difficulties he faced – having stated he felt better both mentally and physically ahead of the current season. A good season could see Iker making a more high-profile move in the summer – with a number of top clubs rumoured to be keeping tabs.
Athletic Bilbao Nationality: Spanish Age: 20 (19th December 1992)
For only twenty, Athletics’ youngest player and goalscorer has been on the football radar for a while. Being known to the media in España as ‘The Spanish Messi’ brings considerable pressures, but Muniain has seemingly thrived off such comparisons, continuously showing his skill, and eye for a pass. Having already made well over 100 appearances for Bilbao, who remain the only side other than Real Madrid and Barcelona to never be relegated from La Liga, the attack-minded player would have hoped for more than one solitary cap for Spain. A notably dissapointing 2012-2013 campaign may have held him back, but Muniain has addressed the difficulties he faced – having stated he felt better both mentally and physically ahead of the current season. A good season could see Iker making a more high-profile move in the summer – with a number of top clubs rumoured to be keeping tabs.
Daniel
Carvajal
Real Madrid Nationality: Spanish Age: 21 (11th January 1992)
Real Madrid Nationality: Spanish Age: 21 (11th January 1992)
When Bayer Leverkusen paid €5
million for Carvajal in 2012, after he had failed to make a single appearance
for Los Blancos, most thought the chance of a career at Madrid had disappeared
for the young right back. An exceptional season at Leverkusen followed,
prompting Madrid to quickly activate the ‘buy-back clause’ they cunningly added
to the transfer deal the year before. Carvajal has found himself battling with
Arbeloa for first-choice right back at Madrid – and if Carvajal was to cement a
place in the Madrid first team this current season, we could see the Under-21
international rapidly shoot up the list of the world’s most reputable
full-backs.
Mattia De
Sciglio
AC Milan Nationality:
Italian Age: 20 (20th
October 1992)
With comparisons to the great
Paolo Maldini common at Milan, the fullback has been highly praised for his
defensive confidence alongside his attacking capabilities. A regular in the
starting line-up last season with 27 Serie A appearances, De Sciglio has been
marked as one who could potentially develop into an AC Milan star. Injury has
thwarted his start to the season, and also Milan’s as they shipped 10 goals in
the first 5 games of the season. If De Sciglio regains his starting place upon
his return, he could turn out to be the next big name in a long list of quality
Italian defenders over the years – having already been capped 8 times for his
country.
Jorginho
(Jorge Luiz Frello)
Hellas Verona Nationality: Brazilian/Italian Age: 21 (20th December 1991)
At the time of writing, newly promoted Hellas Verona are sitting 5th in Serie A, after beating AC Milan 2-1 on the opening day of the season. Their promotion, and much of their success so far this campaign, has been underpinned by the performance of their midfield sensation Jorginho. Suitors AC Milan and Liverpool won’t have been put off by his top-class passing ability and opportunistic positioning that has seen him net 3 goals in the opening 7 matches. A multitude of talents means the Brazilian-born Italian can play in either a deep or an attacking midfield position. Possessing energy, athleticism and awareness of the highest order – the young midfielder is certainly one to keep an eye on in Serie A this season.
Hellas Verona Nationality: Brazilian/Italian Age: 21 (20th December 1991)
At the time of writing, newly promoted Hellas Verona are sitting 5th in Serie A, after beating AC Milan 2-1 on the opening day of the season. Their promotion, and much of their success so far this campaign, has been underpinned by the performance of their midfield sensation Jorginho. Suitors AC Milan and Liverpool won’t have been put off by his top-class passing ability and opportunistic positioning that has seen him net 3 goals in the opening 7 matches. A multitude of talents means the Brazilian-born Italian can play in either a deep or an attacking midfield position. Possessing energy, athleticism and awareness of the highest order – the young midfielder is certainly one to keep an eye on in Serie A this season.
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