Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard

Name:Eden Hazard
Team: Lille (France)
Birth date: 07.01.1991
Nationality: Belgium
EU Passport: Yes
End of Contract: 06.2014
Estimated Yearly Wage: 800.000 €
Estimated Market Value: 17.000.000 €

Position: Winger - Hazard plays as a winger, being able to do it both on the right or on the left. Due to his age and potential it’s possible for him to develop in other more inside positions. This is unlikely though.

Potential (0-10): 10 - It is already a huge surprise to see a player of this age performing at such high level. It will depend on many factors, but it’s hard to find a player with this kind of potential in the world, so it’s not absurd thinking that Hazard can be one of the best of his time.

Physical description: Small (1,70m), quick player. Has very quick short movements and good acceleration, making it easier to get away from defenders. He’s still very young though, and if continues improving he can became a very hard player to stop.

Technical description: Excellent technical ability, being a good free kick taker, passer, dribler and finisher. To this he adds the ability to play well with both his feet.

Tactical description: Hazard is a natural, physical and technical talent, but what makes him so special is the playing culture he shows for his age. His decision making and movement are very good and exceptionally developed for his age. With playing experience, he can only become better in this area and it’s only a matter of waiting to see what happens to other areas of his game to find out if Hazard can become the star he seems to be destined to be.

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Luiz Suarez

Luiz Suarez

Name:Luiz Suarez
Team: Ajax (Holland)
Birth date: 24.01.1987
Nationality: Uruguay
EU Passport: No
End of Contract: 06.2013
Estimated Yearly Wage: 3.000.000 €
Estimated Market Value: 25.000.000 €

Position: Forward/Winger - Suarez can play either as central forward or as a winger, preferably in a 3 front men system. He can play as a more fixed striker but his profile advises to use him in a more mobile role. When playing as a winger, he’s stronger in the right.

Potential (0-10): 9 - Suarez is a mature player and at his level he can aspire to play in any team in the World. A move to a more competitive league would be an important test and also an important opportunity to keep developing as a player.

Physical description: His quality comes from his technical skills and playing intelligence, not from his physical attributes. Physically, he’s a regular player, with very good acceleration, strength and agility. 1,81m.

Technical description: He’s specially strong when executing with his right foot. The precision of his finishing and crossing, as well as the first touch are the great strengths of his game. He can also use the left foot.

Tactical description: Being a technically gifted player, Suarez’s level is only possible by the intelligence of his decision making and movement. Even not playing in central positions, Suarez is a highly regular goal scorer. This is not only due to his quality finishing but mostly to his good inside movements. When playing further away from finishing positions, Suarez distinguishes himself by the quickness of his thinking, making many 1 touch appearances in the game. Also to mention are his movements on the right, where he can be very dangerous hiding the ball from defenders and putting in very dangerous crosses.
In defensive moments, Suarez shows good attitude but he can work on his aggressiveness in pressing situations.

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Mounir El Hamdaoui

Mounir El Hamdaoui

Name:Mounir El Hamdaoui
Team: AZ (Holland)
Birth date: 14.07.1984
Nationality: Morocco
EU Passport: Yes
End of Contract: 06.2012
Estimated Yearly Wage: 1.000.000 €
Estimated Market Value: 8.000.000 €

Position: Forward - El Hamdaoui is a versatile forward. His technical ability allows him to play almost everywhere, the important being to give him enough freedom in order to get involved with the team’s play.

Potential (0-10): 8 - At AZ, El Hamdaoui is quite clearly the star player. His technique and ability make it possible for him at higher level. The possibility of him succeeding in one of the top teams in the world is, however, dependent of his development in some areas of his game.

Physical description: He’s a regular sized player (1,83m). He’s not particularly quick or strong and he’s well known for being a technical player and not a physical power. However, running away from defenders like he does is only possible with the good acceleration and balance that he has got.

Technical description: His right foot is the great strength of his game. El Hamdaoui is a very strong technical player, being particularly noticed for his capacity to hold and hide the ball from the opponent, dribbling, passing, crossing and accurate finishing. Despite scoring many goals in the box, he’s not a very good header of the ball.
Tactical description: Being a very technical player, El Hamdaoui feels the need to participate in most every building movement, dropping down to get involved. He’s quite strong at this, but he also exaggerates at holding the ball. This is the matter where he should develop more, finding more simple ways to get involved. This shouldn’t be hard for a player of his skills as he’s also been strong in many off the ball movements, manly at arriving in finishing positions, where he has scored many goals in recent years. If he can improve to balance his off the ball movements, he can play at almost any team.
Finally, it is also to mention, although not being this the main area of his game, that El Hamdoui’s working attitude should be improved, as he frequently lacks aggressiveness at pressing situations.

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Bryan Ruiz

Bryan Ruiz

Name:Bryan Ruiz
Team: Twente (Holland)
Birth date: 18.08.1985
Nationality: Costa Rica
EU Passport: No
End of Contract: 06.2013
Estimated Yearly Wage: 1.000.000 €
Estimated Market Value: 7.500.000 €

Position: Winger/Forward - Plays as a free winger in a 4-3-3 formation. This is his better role, but he can be used as a free forward in a 2 front men system or as a wing midfielder.

Potential (0-10): 8 - Ruiz has come a long way, coming from Costa Rica and adapting to European football. Today he’s a mature footballer that guarantees already a very high level. He’s got every condition to be successful in a more demanding challenge in his career.

Physical description: Tall (1,86m) and elegant player. He’s got very good agility and body control. He’s also quick player.
Technical description: His left foot is his best technical resource. Almost perfect first touches and good passing and crossing. Also, has a good finishing in the box. From long range he is not so comfortable and also doesn’t go for it very often.

Tactical description: Having very good physical and technical conditions, what brings Ruiz to a higher level is his game comprehension. On the ball, he’s got very quick thinking and good decision making. Very important to mention is his quality off the ball. Ruiz usually starts from the wing but he’s very good at finding spaces inside, both to support his team’s play and to show up in finishing situations. His working mentality is also very good, despite being an offensive player.

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Jonathan Cristaldo

Jonathan Cristaldo

Name:Jonathan Cristaldo
Team: Velez Sarsfield (Argentina)
Birth date: 05.03.1989
Nationality: Argentina
EU Passport: No
End of Contract: 06.2011
Estimated Yearly Wage:150.000 €
Estimated Market Value: 4.000.000 €

Position: Forward - Cristaldo plays as a forward in a 4-4-2 system in Velez. Given his profile, it’s recommended to use him in a 2 front men system.

Potential (0-10): 8 - His present level is already very good and, given his age, it’s very likely that Cristaldo reaches a very high level, enough to play for most teams in top European leagues. He still needs to develop some areas of his game, though, specially on becoming a more explosive player.

Physical description: 178 cm. Doesn’t have an impressive physique and his football needs to find other ways to get the best of the defenders. Despite not being a very big player, Cristaldo is also not a fragile one. He deals well with physical challenges and knows how to place his body to hold the ball from defenders. Also his acceleration is very good, easily getting away from the defenders in short spaces.

Technical description: If anything distinguishes Cristaldo is his technique. Very good control and capacity to hide de ball from the defenders and specially and an impressive finishing ability in the box. Cristaldo is a right footer but he seems to be equally happy to shoot with his left one. This is a big advantage for him and makes him a very effective finisher. Also to mention his quick dribbling near and inside the box.

Tactical description: Despite being very young, Cristaldo already shows very matured movements in the game. Likes to work outside the box, bringing the defenders out and combining with midfielders. He’s also strong on diagonal movements in the box and creating finishing situations. Another positive aspect about Cristaldo is his defensive attitude, being a working player and always very available to pressure or dropping back to help the midfield line.

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Eduardo Salvio

Eduardo Salvio

Name:Eduardo Salvio
Team: Lánus (Argentina)
Birth date: 13.07.1990
Nationality: Argentina
EU Passport: No
End of Contract: 06.2011
Estimated Yearly Wage:150.000 €
Estimated Market Value: 8.500.000 €

Position: Winger/Forward - In Lanus has been playing mostly as a free forward on a 4-4-2. Many times, thought he’s also used as a right winger. Both positions are very similar because his movements as a forward happen mostly on the right flank. The important thing is that he plays with freedom to stay wide and show up in finishing situations.

Potential (0-10): 10 - Is a clear case of enormous potential. He’s not a mature player and has to improve on many aspects to get to the top, but his age and talent indicate that he can become a real star in the future.

Physical description: 169 cm. Small player but with good balance and capacity to face more physical challenges. It’s a quick player, with good acceleration and can change direction easily. These attributes are important for his 1x1 situations.

Technical description: Right footer, he can also play with his left foot but needs to get more habit to use that solution, specially when playing on the wings. He’s a naturally strong player on 1x1 situations, being very explosive, combining his physical qualities with his technical ones. Good control and dribbling. Also a good finisher in the box, here feeling more comfortable to use his left foot.

Tactical description: His movements vary from playing wide and trying 1x1 situations or coming in to finishing positions. One of his positive aspects is that at such young age he can play both wide and inside as a forward. Has to improve on his decisions and on his capacity to combine more with teammates and to be less focused on individual solutions. His working attitude is very good, being an aggressive player in defensive moments of the game.

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Dario Gandin

Dario Gandin

Name: Darío Gandín
Team: Independiente (Argentina)
Birth date: 07.12.1983
Nationality: Argentina
EU Passport: No
End of Contract: 06.2011
Estimated Yearly Wage: 70.000 €
Estimated Market Value: 1.500.000 €

Position: Forward/Winger - Can play in a 2 front men system as forward or as inside winger (preferably right) in a 3 front men system. Has played as a more fixed striker but is much more effective playing in a wider role.

Potential (0-10): 7 - His career has had ups and downs that reveal that Gandin can be a very useful player but only if placed in the right position. If so Gandin can be a very good prospect for most teams in any league in the world.

Physical description: 179cm. His physical attributes are crucial to his game. Tremendously strong at holding the ball and has good acceleration getting away from defenders. Not a very tall player but a strong one.

Technical description: Very technical player. Good control and strong in short dribbles, hiding the ball from defenders or escaping challenges. Plays with his right foot but can cross also well with the left foot, which gives him more solutions when playing on the right flank. Good finisher, both with feet and head.

Tactical description: When playing outside the box he’s a very smart player. Holds the ball very well and is easy to combine with. Also very important are is finishing movements, arriving very well in the box and having a good tempo attacking the ball, which explains his goal scoring numbers when playing in a less fixed role. His main problem it’s his somewhat passive attitude in the game, specially on defensive moments where he doesn’t show much intensity.

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Franco Jara

Franco Jara

Name: Franco Jara
Team: Arsenal Sarandi (Argentina)
Birth date: 15.07.1988
Nationality: Argentina
EU Passport: No
End of Contract: 06.2011
Estimated Yearly Wage: 50.000 €
Estimated Market Value: 3.000.000 €

Position: Forward - Plays as a forward in a 4-4-2 system. This is what is right for his profile, as he likes to move a lot, both wide and inside.

Potential (0-10): 7 - His attitude and talent would make him already a good prospect for most European teams. He still needs to develop some areas of his game and he if does so he can get to be an important player for relevant teams is best European leagues.

Physical description: 182 cm. He is quick and tremendously aggressive. Feels very comfortable both escaping from defenders. and assuming a more physical game. His physical condition is tremendous and allows him to play constantly at very high intensity.

Technical description: As good all round technique. Good control, good dribbling and passing and also knows very well how to place his body. He’s also a good finisher but this is an aspect of his game where he has to improve to become a more effective forward. One of his problems is his dependency of his right foot, not being very comfortable with the left one. Fair heading ability.

Tactical description: Jara likes to be a constant part of the game. He works a lot during a match, finding spaces and solutions to the offensive play. This is a positive aspect of his game as he becomes useful both when there’s more space to play and when defences are more closed. He’s not strong in movements closer to opponents’ goal, either breaking last defensive line or in box situations. To become a more regular goal scorer he needs to work on this. Defensively he’s a very useful player and a menace to opponent’s possession due to his constant aggressive pressing attitude.

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Diego Buonanotte

Diego Buonanotte

Name: Diego Buonanotte
Team: River Plate (Argentina)
Birth date: 19.04.1988
Nationality: Argentina
EU Passport: Yes (Italy)
End of Contract: 06.2010
Estimated Yearly Wage: 200.000 €
Estimated Market Value: 3.500.000 €

Position: Winger/Forward - Is playing literally everywhere in attack. Has played as winger, as an inside midfielder and also as a forward. Needs to find exactly where he suits best and it seems that would be as a free winger or a free offensive midfielder.

Potential (0-10): 9 - Buonanotte hasn’t yet achieved a top level and he might never get there if he doesn’t find the right place to develop his football. But he has enough talent and very rare qualities, which makes him a player with tremendous potential.

Physical description: 160 cm, typical argentine “pibe”, or even smaller. Buonanotte is very fast and has in his capacity to change directions a very powerful weapon to complement his technique. This capacity is also important because he’s a very light player, having obvious trouble when physically challenged.

Technical description: His quick movement is only a threat because of the quality of his left foot. Very good technique, specially running with the ball always very close to his feet. Buonanotte is obviously strong on 1x1 situations but is a bigger threat when he comes inside and gets the opportunity to make quick passing combinations. He has very good passing, crossing and accurate finishing. This makes him a good goalscorer as well, but he’s only particularly dangerous finishing inside the box, as his long range shooting often lacks power.

Tactical description: Is very strong playing between defensive lines, creating various passing solutions to the player that carries the ball. When playing wide, can be a menace coming inside from the right flank, getting angle for his left foot finish. But he needs to become a more consistent player, finding the right position for him and then adjusting his movements and decisions to it. Right now he’s playing in too many positions and with too much tactical anarchy which is preventing his football to develop as it could.

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Gabriel Hauche

Gabriel Hauche

Name: Gabriel Hauche
Team: Argentinos Juniors (Argentina)
Birth date: 27.11.1986
Nationality: Argentina
EU Passport: No
End of Contract: 06.2010
Estimated Yearly Wage: 150.000 €
Estimated Market Value: 3.000.000 €

Position: Forward - Argentinos play in a 3-4-1-2 formation. Hauche plays as one of the 2 front men, with a lot of freedom of movements, specially going wide. It’s possible to adapt to a 3 front men system, playing wide, but always with freedom to come inside.

Potential (0-10): 8 - At the moment he’s an underrated player, victim of playing in a modest team for so long. Already has the quality to play in most teams in top European leagues and the character that he shows leaves the idea that he’ll rise quickly once he has a first opportunity.

Physical description: Around 1,68 cm, he’s very much a Michael Owen type of player and also in his physique. One relevant aspect of his condition, besides the obvious pace is the surprising capacity he reveals on physical challenges, leaving the idea that he’s far stronger than he looks.

Technical description: Right footed, but uses his left foot with very good quality, both on finishing and crossing. His technique is obviously good, even if he doesn’t performe many tricks. The aspect that makes him special is the quality that he has when he’s running with ball. Once he gets the advantage from the defender is very hard to stop him, as he has perfect balance and ball control and also uses his body very well when the challenge comes. Other than this, he executes very well with both his feet, finishing or crossing. It’s rare seeing him miss the goal on a finishing situation. His weakness is when he has to play in the air.

Tactical description: He has 2 very strong movements. First, breaking the offside trap, with quick diagonals. Second, going wide and beating the full backs. When the spaces close down he gets a bit more trouble. Although he has good technique to come inside and bring defenders with him, he doesn’t do it too much and this the aspect of his game that has more to be developed. Also important to mention is his defensive attitude, being very reactive when the team loses possession and very aggressive as well, making him a very useful player for pressing.

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