2010 Fifa World Cup: How much are the tournament’s rising stars worth?
Buying players off the back of a World Cup can be a dangerous business.
Although some players shine for their national teams and have the look of world-beaters at the showpiece tournament, things can turn sour when they arrive for their new clubs and struggle to make an impact, as Liverpool found out in 2002 when they signed Senegal duo Salif Diao and El Hadji Diouf.
In South Africa this summer, several rising stars have come to prominence over the past month and could be snapped up in the transfer window.
The following is a list of those players whose stock has risen in recent weeks, roughly how much they’re now worth, and whether or not they’ll move before the transfer window slams shut.
Alexis Sanchez (Chile/Udinese) Age: 21. Value: £15-20million
The star of Chile’s World Cup campaign in South Africa, Alexis Sanchez lit up the early stages of the tournament with his skill, trickery and flair. Linked with a move to some of Europe’s biggest clubs including Real Madrid and Manchester United, the 21-year-old Udinese winger would command a substantial transfer fee. Sanchez, who has drawn comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo, is certainly an exciting prospect and would surely relish a move to a bigger club.
Asamoah Gyan (Ghana/Rennes) Age: 24. Value: £10-15million
Asamoah Gyan’s missed penalty against Uruguay in the quarter-final was one of the most dramatic moments of the 2010 World Cup. The 24-year-old striker had a good tournament overall, though, and helped guide the Black Stars to the last eight in only their second World Cup appearance with his three goals. Big, strong and powerful, Gyan has alerted the interest of Fenerbahce, Sunderland and West Ham. A transfer away from Rennes looks likely.
Andre Ayew (Ghana/Marseille) Age: 20. Value: £5-8million
So impressive were the 20-year-old Ghana winger’s performances in South Africa, that he was nominated for the Young Player of the World Cup award alongside Thomas Müller and Giovani dos Santos. Currently at Marseille, the rising star of Ghanaian football may be content to stay put at the French club for the forthcoming season. However, after being loaned out by Marseille over the past two seasons, he may have his heart set on a new challenge. Palermo and Bayern Munich are both reportedly interested.
Gervinho (Ivory Coast/Lille) Age: 23. Value: £5-10million
On the evidence of Gervinho’s performance in South Africa, £5-10million represents true value for money for the 23-year-old forward. However, the Ivory Coast international seems quite happy to play for his French club, Lille, next season, and has played down talk of a move to Liverpool. Gervinho managed to showcase his abilities in this World Cup’s “Group of Death”, but his campaign was cut short when the Ivoirians were eliminated in the first round.
Keisuke Honda (Japan/CSKA Moscow) Age: 24. Value: £10million
Japan’s standout player and national pin-up boy, Keisuke Honda, was one of the stars of the 2010 World Cup. The 24-year-old scored twice in South Africa, including a brilliant 30-yard free-kick against Denmark in the group stages, to help guide the Samurai Blue to the last 16. A clever player with skill in abundance and an eye for goal, Honda would fetch around £10million right now. However, the attacking midfielder only joined CSKA Moscow at the start of the year, and so may stay put in Russia.
Thomas Müller (Germany/Bayern Munich) Age: 20. Value: £15-20million
What a year it’s been for Thomas Müller. First of all, he helped Bayern Munich to a domestic double, and very nearly a European treble – only to suffer defeat against Inter Milan in the Champions League Final. If that wasn’t enough, he was then selected for Germany’s World Cup finals squad. Few would have predicted the impact he would have in South Africa. Not only did he score five goals for third-placed Germany, he also, remarkably, won the Golden Boot despite being a midfielder. After winning such a prestigious honour, he is now one of the hottest properties in world football. Still, it’s likely that he will remain at Bayern for the time being.
Mesut Özil (Germany/Werder Bremen) Age: 21. Value: £20million
Tipped for big things before this summer’s World Cup finals, Mesut Özil did not disappoint. The attacking midfielder was instrumental for Germany and put in a series of breathtaking displays – particularly against England and Germany. Since the World Cup, Özil has been linked to a host of major clubs across Europe and could be poised to make a big money move. The 21-year-old has the lot: pace, skill, balance, poise. If he does leave Werder Bremen, he’ll be a prized asset for whichever club he plays for.
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