Argentine Diego Milito could easily become one of the major stars in the next transfer window. Inter were willing to bring him in January, but Genoa who are fighting for Champions League entry didn’t even want to talk about it. He is the idol in Genoa, fans worship him, couple of years ago he earned a nickname “Il Principe” (Prince) due to his easy goal-scoring in the season of Genoa’s promotion to Serie A. However, Grifo didn’t have the chance to play in elite competition since they were suspended for fixing a game with Venezia. That is why Milito was sold to Zaragoza, and in the closing hours of last summer’s transfer window he had returned to the biggest Italian port. He was welcomed with red carpet, looked upon as a deity, and he repaid the fans’ support with a real goals galore over the autumn. Without a slightest doubt, Argenite is the most responsible for Genoa’s Champions League seat. That would be the biggest success in club’s history.
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Popularity: 21% [?]

Doncaster Rovers’ manager Sean O’Driscoll, has criticized the style of most of the teams in Coca Cola Championship explaining it as too much “functional”, that is, saying it is only based on the result. Anyway, during his working days, this former Bournemouth manager and a very peaceful and quiet person (his ironic nickname is “Noisy”) has always insisted on passing style and his teams have always had fine technical skills.

He even added that most of the Coca Cola Championship managers had the wrong tactics and that most of them could try adopting his ways. O’Driscol also complains about how it is very difficult to play clean football these days, because, there it is , your opponents “murder” you from set-pieces, when you least expect it. And although your team has a bigger percentage of ball possession and more beautiful performance, it is enough for your players to “switch off” for just a second and you would concede a crucial goal that would decide the entire game. Famous Noisy continues that rivals keep “ripping off” points from Doncaster week in and week out, and that they often use some methods that are anti-football in order to achieve their goal.

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Popularity: 20% [?]

This boy is really crazy! I know a hundred of players that would kill only to visit Inter training grounds and facilities, let least to have the privilege of training, playing and living with the statures such as Ibrahimovic, Zanetti, Cordoba and others. Still, Adriano, just seems to have a problem appreciating the one in a lifetime opportunity he is given, to play for Italian champions, Inter. And yet, he is given the chance to improve over and over again…

We have seen this many times before. Ever since his arrival from Flamengo in June 2000, this towering striker has problems fitting in Inter squad and showing why he was brought in the first place. He was quickly loaned to Parma and his spell saw him becoming part of one of the most impressive striking duos with Adrian Mutu scoring 22 goals in 36 appearances most of which were from thumping long-shot free kicks.

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Popularity: 29% [?]

He is strong on the pitch, always determined to do the uttermost to help his team win each game, and his creativity always puts his side’s performances on a higher plane. However, it seems his courage and stamina fade away outside the stadium.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, four times a Bundesliga champion is a fantastic player whose brilliance has not been confined to only domestic action. His fantastic plays and fabulous goals helped his country take third place in the 2006 World Cup which only helped him cement his first team place both for Bayern Munich and Germany national team.

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Popularity: 54% [?]

One of the most prolific strikers in Europe has pledged his future to Real Madrid. The biggest European clubs were interested in his services but Real have won the race. He is coming to the club in one of the most difficult periods in Real’s recent history and the question is can he live up to the expectations.

Klaas Jan Huntelaar has been brought as a replacement for Ruud van Nilsterooy, as Ruud has been sidelined with injury. Interesting thing is that Huntelaar already replaced his compatriot in the Dutch national team and he is expected to do the same at club level. He should have no problems fitting into the squad as five Dutch players are already at Real and that will be a big advantage. Also, team’s style of play is no problem as Real now play with classic number 9 supported by two wide players. This is the same system he got used to in Ajax and I have no doubts that he will fit right in.

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Popularity: 23% [?]

Xavi Hernandez

Xavi Hernandez will put his signature on the new contract with Barca. Speculations had mounted during the last summer, when the vice-captain of Barca’s team didn’t extend his loyalty with Catalan club. Now everything is clear and he will be at Camp Nou till 2014, when he will retire. He said that it was a  dream come true to finish his career in the team where he has started. Huge offers from the biggest European clubs haven’t made him hesitant. He was determined to stay in Barca.

But, what was the problem with a new contract? Some rumors talk about his €7 million-per-year salary, but he wanted €9 million, in order to be the second highest paid player at the club behind, one and only, Lionel Messi. However, Xavi will spend another six years at Camp Nou and it is hard to imagine him in some other jersey.

In this year’s “Golden Ball” award contest he was fifth, just behind Cristiano Ronaldo, his team mate Messi, his Spain team mate Torres and Iker Cassilas. But, he was the best player of EURO 2008. and the most important player in Aragones’ squad. Experienced coach had given extra space to him and Xavi knew how to use it. His fantastic goal in the semi-final against Russia when he broke the deadlock and the great assist to Torres in the final, had ended the long Spanish international trophy drought.
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Popularity: 25% [?]