Post by bandage on Jun 7, 2006 9:35:31 GMT
From The Guardian. Gordon Strachan’s five to follow at the World Cup - apparently tried to sign the gian Zigic last year too - had never heard of Rotan so I'll keep an eye out for him:
1) Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)
Brother of Arsenal defender Kolo, midfielder Yaya Toure plays for Olympiakos. Elegant in possession, Toure likes to get forward and combines well with midfield partner Didier Zokora.
2) Shunsuke Nakamura (Japan)
Celtic fans need no introduction. Strachan insists Nakamura “has the best ability of anyone I have worked or played with”. Dead-ball expert and will be key to Japan’s chances of making the second stage.
3) Ruslan Rotan (Ukraine)
Creative in possession and dangerous with set-pieces. Dinamo Kiev star Rotan usually plays just off Ukraine talisman and Chelsea’s £30million man Andriy Shevchenko.
4) Lionel Messi (Argentina)
The Barcelona teenager is the latest “new Maradona” but could be the man to finally take Diego’s crown. Strachan calls the forward “phenomenal” and Maradona claims he is every bit as good as Brazil’s Ronaldinho.
5) Nikola Zigic (Serbia & Montenegro)
His country’s answer to Peter Crouch, Zigic stands at 202cm and has the talent to match his stature. Prolific for Red Star Belgrade and will probably land a big move after the World Cup.
1) Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)
Brother of Arsenal defender Kolo, midfielder Yaya Toure plays for Olympiakos. Elegant in possession, Toure likes to get forward and combines well with midfield partner Didier Zokora.
2) Shunsuke Nakamura (Japan)
Celtic fans need no introduction. Strachan insists Nakamura “has the best ability of anyone I have worked or played with”. Dead-ball expert and will be key to Japan’s chances of making the second stage.
3) Ruslan Rotan (Ukraine)
Creative in possession and dangerous with set-pieces. Dinamo Kiev star Rotan usually plays just off Ukraine talisman and Chelsea’s £30million man Andriy Shevchenko.
4) Lionel Messi (Argentina)
The Barcelona teenager is the latest “new Maradona” but could be the man to finally take Diego’s crown. Strachan calls the forward “phenomenal” and Maradona claims he is every bit as good as Brazil’s Ronaldinho.
5) Nikola Zigic (Serbia & Montenegro)
His country’s answer to Peter Crouch, Zigic stands at 202cm and has the talent to match his stature. Prolific for Red Star Belgrade and will probably land a big move after the World Cup.