Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur)
In Europe, this has been the coming-of-age season for the young Gareth Bale. While his potential was never doubted, Bale slowly got into his own after a poor start at White Hart Lane. He has been in a terrific form this season.
You will see many a stunning performances this season but the author seriously doubts if this edition of Champions League will showcase a better performance of wing wizardry. The manner in which the 21-year-old Bale managed to rip apart a certain Maicon-
tagged the best right back in the world prior to this season, was stunning to say the least.
Four goals and two assists in just six games are an excellent return for a winger no matter what standard you apply as Bale prepares to drag his side deeper into the competition.
Michael Essien (Chelsea FC)
The engine of Chelsea midfield was missing last season. While The Blues copped with his absence on domestic front, thanks largely to an impressive squad depth; his presence in the Champions League was sorely missed.
When Chelsea locked horns with Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan, Wesley Sneijder was given a free reign to weave his magic. Had Essien been there, the results could have been very different. Chelsea’s performances in the group stage, barring the final dead-rubber
against Olympique Marseille, bear testimony to that statement.
The Blues recorded 15 points from a possible 18 and conceded just four goals while scoring 14 themselves. Essien has been a beast for the London based outfit and his fitness and form will play a critical role if Roman Abramovich is to achieve Champions League
dreams.
Claudemir de Souza (FC Copenhagen)
Prior to the start of the season, the Brazilian was a complete unknown. Claudemir spent two seasons in the Dutch Eredivisie before making a move to Danish giants FC Copenhagen as the move enabled him to play in the Champions League.
In a group consisting of FC Barcelona, Rubin Kazan and Greek giants Panathinaikos FC, Copenhagen managed to finish second behind Barcelona – a fantastic achievement indeed. The knock-out stage berth has not come cheap. Copenhagen had played free-flowing
attacking football and took the game to Barca when Catalans visited Copenhagen Parken and much of the credit lies with the unknown Brazilian (Claudemir) who managed to keep his head while playing against the likes of Xavi and Iniesta.
The 22-year-old has a bright future ahead of him and it is only a matter of time before Europe’s elite come calling for his services.
Rafael Van der Vaart (Tottenham Hotspurs)
Real Madrid’s Dutch rejects having an excellent season in the Champions League has become a pattern now. Last year it was the duo of Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben which took the primary continental competition by storm as they guided their respective
teams to the final in Bernabeu. This year, Rafael Van der Vaart has taken the baton from his International teammates.
At just 13 million Euros, Spurs have paid peanuts for such a prodigiously talented star who managed to boss his most illustrious friend; Wesley Sneijder, when Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur went head-to-head in the Champions League.
The playmaker has forged an impressive partnership with Gareth Bale as the two stars look to take Spurs deeper into the competition.
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