McClaren trying to sign one of the most promising young players in the world

Neil Thomson

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<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/newsid_1813000/1813637.stm" target="_blank">McClaren in for £6m Ghanaian</a>

Does anyone remember this kid from when we played them? I like McClaren's style for going after Forlan and now this other young player, seems a bit of a contrast to the Yorke transfer! Wish we'd not lost McClaren, especially now that Alex didn't actually retire.
 
surprise, surprise...seems that another "one of the most promising young players in the world" wants to sign for liverpool!

<a href="http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=international_feed/02/01/26/SOCCER_Mli-Ghana_Boateng.html" target="_blank">http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=international_feed/02/01/26/SOCCER_Mli-Ghana_Boateng.html</a>

<a href="http://www.planetfootball.com/Article.asp?ARTICLE=78670&Title=Boateng+wants+Reds+move" target="_blank">http://www.planetfootball.com/Article.asp?ARTICLE=78670&Title=Boateng+wants+Reds+move</a>
 
<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" />
 
Originally posted by Neil Thomson:
<strong><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/newsid_1813000/1813637.stm" target="_blank">McClaren in for £6m Ghanaian</a>

Does anyone remember this kid from when we played them? I like McClaren's style for going after Forlan and now this other young player, seems a bit of a contrast to the Yorke transfer! Wish we'd not lost McClaren, especially now that Alex didn't actually retire.</strong><hr></blockquote>
There were a load of quotes from him saying he was about to join Liverpool.

Prolly just agent speak, trying to get him a move
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Originally posted by keyser_soze:
<strong>surprise, surprise...seems that another "one of the most promising young players in the world" wants to sign for liverpool!</strong><hr></blockquote>So with this guy, le Pilloc and Ponghole you'll be challenging for the PL again in what? 5 more years? ;)
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Originally posted by Roy:
<strong>Wouldn't describe him as "one of the best in the world" though.</strong><hr></blockquote>

From what I've seen I would actually Roy. So that'll be your professional opinion being brought into question........again ;)
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roy, when's the new list coming out? any chance of giving us a preview???
 
Originally posted by Dans:
<strong>

From what I've seen I would actually Roy. So that'll be your professional opinion being brought into question........again ;) </strong><hr></blockquote>

<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" />

cheeky munkee

Boateng is good but like I said a bit raw. He wouldn't get a game for us nor will he get one for the scousers or any top team in England. His last ball/finish/touch is still poor as was proven in the game against us (though he has developed since, as he's played regularly for PAO and for the Nigerian under age teams, especially the U-20 WC which is quite good for a player's progress).
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Originally posted by keyser_soze:
<strong>roy, when's the new list coming out? any chance of giving us a preview???</strong><hr></blockquote>

Sorry mate but it looks like it'll take a good few months before I get the new list done.

If there's anything you'd like to know though, shoot.
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any new u.k.- based additions to the list? or has anyone made a huge impact since last year, and shot up the list???
 
Roy,

I hope the new list isn't going to find it's way into the wrong hands again. :mad: <img src="graemlins/annoyed.gif" border="0" alt="[Annoyed]" /> <img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" /> ;)
 
Well from what I remember the UK based players who made the list or where close to making it were:

David Prutton (Forest), Dean Ashton (Crewe), Kieran Richardson (United), Darren Fletcher (United), Michael Chopra (Newcastle), Stefan Moore (Aston Villa), Jermaine Pennant (Arsenal), John Welsh (your lot), David Raven (your lot), Glen Johnson (West Ham), Brian Howard (Soton), Bobby Zamora (Brighton), Neil Mellor (your lot).

Those are the ones I remember, probably have missed a few, though not all of these actually made the top100.

Players who've made big progress and moved up the list are D'Allesandro, Leandro Bonfim (at 3rd place, new entry), Johnny Heitinga from Ajax moved to the top 15 after being about 30, Coloccini, Hugo Viana, Ricardo Quaresma moved up as well...
 
Originally posted by keyser_soze:
<strong>how about jenas from newcastle?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yes, he'd have made it but I've decided to be a bit more picky and not pick anyone who:

A) Has played a senior international for a top country, f.e van der Vaart
B) Plays in the first 16-18 of a top club, for example John O'Shea, Chris Kirkland
C) Is a very well-known youth star, for example Joe Cole

Seeing as Jenas is likely to be a regular for Newcastle, he won't be on the list.
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...can you compare fletcher, jenas and welsh in terms of style, ability, and prospects?

...and what do you make of neil prince and michael foley? they seem to have faded of late.
 
Originally posted by keyser_soze:
<strong>...can you compare fletcher, jenas and welsh in terms of style, ability, and prospects?

...and what do you make of neil prince and michael foley? they seem to have faded of late.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Jenas is a stylish attacking midfielder, good control, pace, skill on the ball, a bit like Dyer perhaps.

Welsh is a mainly defensive midfielder, good passer, lots of urgency in his game, tackles well, has an excellent shot from distance, dangerous at corners though he's not big by any means. A lot like Gerrard but not as good IMO, as he's a lot smaller and doesn't have the same amazing vision Gerrard seems to have.

Fletcher's role or future role in the team is still a bit of an enigma to me. Depends on how he develops I guess. He's currently very tall (1.87 or so) but quite frail as well, no body strength at all, poor physique. His vision is astounding though and he's a superb passer of the ball. He's a thinking player really, always looking for good openings and oppertunities to play through balls. If he builds up and becomes stronger then I think his future will be very bright, he could play at CM or even replace Keano. A bit like Gerrard I guess. That's if he builds up. If he doesn't, then he might play more forward and be some sort of an Anderton/Beckham player. It'll be interesting to see how he develops in the following years.

Re: Prince and Foley

I haven't seen much of those 2, from what I hear Foley's progress was really slowered by the long-term injury he suffered a year or so ago. I doubt he'll be making it and if so, then only as a squad player.

Same goes for Prince IMO though I feel he's got more chances of making it.

Again though, I haven't seen much of the 2, so there's a good chance that I'm wrong.
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sorry for all these questions, but i'm rather curious...what about the french trio of menghni (sp?), le tallec, and pongelle??? it seemed that menghni didn't shine as brightly as the other two this summer, and i'm wondering if the "new zidane" tag should still apply. as for the other two, i have a vested interest for obvious reasons...are they as good as they've been built up to be?
 
Originally posted by keyser_soze:
<strong>sorry for all these questions, but i'm rather curious...what about the french trio of menghni (sp?), le tallec, and pongelle??? it seemed that menghni didn't shine as brightly as the other two this summer, and i'm wondering if the "new zidane" tag should still apply. as for the other two, i have a vested interest for obvious reasons...are they as good as they've been built up to be?</strong><hr></blockquote>

No probs mate :)

Well I do think Meghni is a very talented player and I wouldn't say he didn't shine in the summer, I'd say he was probably as good as Pongolle and Le Tallec, just didn't get all the headlines as he didn't score much.

The new Zidane tag might be a tad exaggerated but I still foresee a great future for him. The real question will be if he's as strong as Zidane mentally. For some reason I don't think so. He seems a bit of a bottler to me.

Re Pongolle and Le Tallec, I don't think they've been majorly overhyped, they are 2 very talented youngsters. If they develop into 2 world-class players is anyone's guess but they are undoubtedly 2 very, very talented players who I'm sorry we've missed out on.
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Originally posted by Neil Thomson:
<strong><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/newsid_1813000/1813637.stm" target="_blank">McClaren in for £6m Ghanaian</a>

Does anyone remember this kid from when we played them? I like McClaren's style for going after Forlan and now this other young player, seems a bit of a contrast to the Yorke transfer! Wish we'd not lost McClaren, especially now that Alex didn't actually retire.</strong><hr></blockquote>

McClaren has obviously been privy to Fergie's little black book.
f**kin' cheek...but at least he took Greening and Wilson off our hands and agreed a fee for Yorkie...works both ways I guess.
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