Silly Nonsense

If you ask me how silly it really is, then I'll tell you that January is rarely as silly as it gets. There are always players in these European leagues that are unsettled, with new management, new coaching, and new "directions" because the carousel keeps moving and a FIFA World Player of the Year candidate one year, can be an injured, unhappy grump the next: surplus to the needs of the club, country and curva. (exhibit: Didier Drogba).

Still, those huge transfers never get resolved until the Summer usually. Teams are wary of over-spending on a player, they rarely let great players leave that early and clubs are always getting gouged on good players that are valued as great during just that time of the year. Therefore, this really isn't about what'll happen to the Ronaldinhos, Drogbas, Lampards, Essiens or Eto'os of the world. What this will be is where it looks like some of the best young talent in the world will end up. Call this a companion piece to the last two posts, the one about Kaka and the one about Boca.

We'll start with my list of up and coming starlets, those that haven't made the big money transfer yet (so, don't get on me because I didn't mention Alexandre Pato, Anderson or some other young talent that's been scooped up by the G-14 or whatever they're calling themselves today).

In no particular order:

Ever Banega: Valencia have the upper hand, in that they've made the largest bid, but Real Madrid apparently have rights of refusal over him. Spain is obviously the right choice for a player that would find it difficult to play as rumoured in Juventus. More than likely Valencia, but mainly because he'll get a better opportunity to play. At Madrid, he'll have the man he replaced at Boca (Fernando Gago) right in front of him. It would be interesting though to see him at a place like Milan so that he cold learn the position from a guy like Pirlo, though.

Karim Benzema: While it may have been unlikely that a player of his caliber would have made the switch during the January window in the past, there are certain storylines that are increasing demand. Chelsea are losing two of their top strikers to either injury, ineffectiveness of their summer transfers, the Africa Cup of Nations or a combination of the three. Manchester United have never replaced Ruud van Nistelrooj and Arsenal are always a likely destination if you're talented and French, but it seems to me that AC Milan would be the perfect place for the player some are calling the next Fenomeno, especially if he plays as expected alongside Kaka and Alexandre Pato.

Giovanni Dos Santos: There are some who are saying that this kid is letting the attention get to his head, that he's becoming more and more like the player he most resembles (Ronaldinho) in more ways than just how he handles the ball at his feet, but it seems unlikely that Barcelona would cash in on the Mexican international, despite how well regarded his teammate Bojan Krkic has become. The stories of his diva-like behavior smack of AS or Marca propaganda. In the end, the Barca cantera may yet save a side that have strayed into the path of Galacticism for too long.

Hedwiges Maduro: The Ajax midfielder is set to leave the club after contract talks stalled, it's clear by his own hand, so the signs are that he'll be looking towards a big payday. If the signs are correct that Sven City are interested and are lining up a bid, I'd still be wary of Chelsea in England as they have what teams usually need to buy in January (desperation), and they have what most teams lack (money) to finance the 20-30% markup that players usually get in the January transfer window.

Luka Modric: The Dinamo Zagreb playmaker is thought to be headed to Manchester City or Chelsea but his club want to hld onto him for another year. In the past, players like Modric (Alex Hleb) take awhile to adjust to the physical nature of the league, so it may be best for the player to stay in the East.

Diego: After starring for Santos, along with his strike partner Robinho, Diego made his move to FC Porto and failed, only to turn his career around at Bremen. Real Madrid have been looking for his type of creative force in the midfield for awhile, but it seems that Guti has emerged as that player, and he may have to look elsewhere. Roma and Fiorentina have also been rumored, but it looks to me that Diego might be the kind of player that Claudio Ranieri needs. Tiago, and Almiron have both been unimpressive lightweights and the club would be perfect for little Diego who is clearly made of stronger stuff.

This is just a small list, more than likely nothing of the sort will happen as I've set it, but it's a neat little exercise that I do for myself everytime the transfer window opens in Europe. Thanks for putting up with it.