It’s a ball Captain, but not as we know it…
The ball isn’t supposed to get the headlines. Unfortunately, during the last two World Cups that’s exactly what happened. Goalkeepers were heavily critical of the 2006 & 2010 versions, arguing that they were too light, and moved around in the air too much. Some commented it was like playing with a beach ball.
To their credit Adidas seem to have learnt the lessons from previous tournaments and produced the Brazuca. Trialled by 600 top players and put through it’s paces by NASA scientists; this ball has had some serious testing. It’s significantly different from previous versions. Less panels allow it to move at greater speed through the air. The seams are deeper and longer which makes it easier for players to put spin on the ball. There are also small dimples on the surface to help decrease drag. Perhaps coincidence, but the matches played so far have seen some of the best World Cup football for a long time. If you want to show your appreciation of the Brazuca, oddly you can, it has it’s own twitter account @Brazuca.
The World Cup has already started and while everyone is familiar with the likes of Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney and Christiano Ronaldo there will still be hundreds of club scouts in Brazil trying to find a bargain for their team. That undiscovered gem or diamond in the rough. Here is our list of 5 players who could potentially light up the Premier League next season.
An excellent modern fullback: strong, quick, disciplined with and excellent final ball. Arsenal have been linked with the Toulouse man and it is easy to see why. In Drogba and Bony, the Ivory Coast have two forwards who will rely heavily on Aurier’s excellent delivery from the right-handside; their progress might well depend on it.
Daley Blind is the son of Ajax great Danny Blind, so he has a great pedigree. This past season he was voted player of the year in the Eredivisie, playing for Ajax in midfield. During Holland’s first match against Spain, he was deployed as a left-sided wingback, and it is this positional flexibility that is likely to have gained the interest of several top clubs.
Perhaps the World Cup will have come too soon for Quintero. Nevertheless, he has a bright future as part of an excellent generation of players coming through for Colombia. An excellent manipulator of the ball, his player style has drawn comparisons to Deigo Maradona. Certainly one to look out for in the future.
At only 18 years of age, Julian Green is a wildcard for the USA. He made his debut this year for Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Persuaded to declare for the US by coach Jurgen Klinsmann, the young winger is fast and direct and could be an excellent option off the bench late in games when teams are tiring.
Gutierrez has what you might call a reputation. A couple of years ago, after being sent off for his then team Racing Club, Gutierrez pulled a gun on his teammates (found later to be a replica). Needless to say, he didn’t play for them again. Fast forward two years and now a reformed character he claims, Colombia could well look to him for goals in the absence of Falcao.
