Youth Report: Gerard Deulofeu.

"Neymar, Deulofeu and Messi. That's how the world's top 3 players will be in the next few years. IF Deulofeu can keep his head down and work." Guillem Balague explained this to me at one of his book promotions. 

Though it is not just Guillem, many worldwide renown journalists have tipped Deulofeu to be the next Lionel Messi.

High praise indeed for such a young man, at just 18 years of age. 

Many may think that he's just another over-hyped youngster from Barcelona's world famous La Masia, but my friends if you are one of those, you are wholly mistaken. He has already been a major part of Spain's recent youth success and is beginning to make sporadic appearances for the first team, mainly in the Champions league. Convinced now?

 For me, along with Vitkor Fischer and a few others, Deulofeu is one of the biggest talents in the world. His mesmerising and devilishly direct dribbling style has everyone watching constantly on the edge of their seats. It's not just his dribbling though, the young Spaniard has improved his finishing greatly, so much so that he has eclipsed his career goal tally after just 22 games this year, netting 13 times. Already rumoured to be linked with Liverpool and many other clubs around Europe, I doubt it will be much longer until Barcelona put a ridiculous buy-out clause in his contract as his stock has risen considerably this year, especially due to his ability to play across the front 3 make him even more desirable. His impact for Spain at all youth levels has been impressive, but none more so than for the Under 21's, where he has scored 3 times in 5 games, a better ratio than at all other levels and it surely won't be long before he gets a first team call-up. Not to mention his assists (I don't have the stats sadly), but there is an unbelievable one. (see below) It's not just on the odd occasion, Deulofeu does this a lot, his dribbling is just, wow.

The only thing that could beat Deulofeu, will be himself. Many people believe that being so young, with all the Messi comparisons and expectations to do well may lead the young man to go off course and loose track of his goals. Another place where he lacks is when he doesn't have the ball for long periods, he can be invisible and then once he gets the ball can be ineffective and lose interest in the game completely. However, if involved from the start, his skill and guile can bamboozle and win his team games with a moment of magic.

So, where do I think he'll end up?

Leading Barcelona's frontline and scaring defences for years to come, of course. This young man has all the talent in the world, and some. For me, he will be one of the world's best players, he is far too good not to be. I can't wait until he properly breaks through into the Barcelona first team and proves to everyone what he can do. Honestly, if you can catch any Barca B games they are well worth a watch, mainly because of Deulofeu. If he can keep his head, he will without doubt become a world beater and if he continues to improve at all aspects, he too will have a buy-out clause similar to Messi's.

Hope you all enjoyed!

Follow me on Twitter:
@jonathanwalsh_

Update & My Serie A Players of the Season.

Sorry I haven't posted in what feels like a year, been really involved football wise with my County at the Milk Cup and then at the Dublin Cup with my club side, both have been great experiences and have thoroughly enjoyed them both, especially the Milk Cup!

So we'll start of today with the Serie A and La Liga, I'll probably end up doing a few predictions for this seasons leagues as I have lots more time on my hands!

3. Gianluigi Buffon

The veteran Italy and Juventus keeper has had a fantastic season with the club from Turin, helping them to a fully unbeaten league season. His calmness and composure in pressure games, as well as his ability to pull off saves that he has no right to make or even get anywhere near the ball, shown is his excellent stop in the England game. His reputation was tarnished by Italian media after a goal scored by AC Milan was not given, to which Gigi said, "Even if I knew it was a goal, I would still have played on." The media went made creating a frenzy with this as he was Italian captain, but he silenced them with a great season and Euro 2012 display.

2. Antonio di Natale

I have picked Di Natale for two reasons. One is because he has had yet another excellent season with Udinese, with his lethal eye for goal as well as providing crucial assists, he then carried that form into the European championships with Italy proving a vital cog in the machine that got them through to the final.  The second is because he has offered to take care of the late, Piermario Morosini's severely disabled sister, as Piermario was the last surviving family member and he  was good friends with Di Natale. Which I think is a brilliant story of kindness, when most people think footballers simply do not care.

1. Andrea Pirlo

I don't think many people would argue with my choice to put Pirlo in as numero uno, the man has had a season he won't forget in a hurry, being the linchpin in Prandelli's side and the mastermind behind Juventus's success in the league, his passing has been immaculate this year aswell and of course him being a set piece specialist. Although I think a major improvement in his game this year has been his tackling and being able to win the ball back and play it off quickly, if he continues he will surely help Juve to another title. 

Well that's that all wrapped up! Will probably do a set of predictions for a few leagues and see how that goes this week before the season starts!

Hope you enjoyed!

Thanks for reading and the continued support!

Follow me on Twitter: @JWalsh97

Jonathan.

My European Players of the Season - Part 1.

Hope you enjoyed my first match reviews the other day! Here I'm going to review my top 3 Players of the Year from the Premier League, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga in the next I shall do the Serie A and La Liga and so on! Hope you enjoy!

3. Juan Manuel Mata

I have chosen young Juan for having the first season in England that he has had. Scoring 16 goals and setting up 22 goals in his first season with Chelsea and with the Spain team, Mata has had a massive impression on me, and is an inspiration as he has been able to study journalism whilst furthering his footballing career, which is exactly what I want to do. His vision and ability to pick a pass has made him an instant hit whilst being able to use his rocket of a left foot to chip in with plenty of goals too.  

2. Sergio Kun Aguero

Another player making his debut in the Premier League this year is Sergio Aguero, the Argentine  has scored 23 league goals this season, only surpassed by Rooney and Robin Van Persie . He too has been able to forge a partnership late in the season with Carlos Tevez to help fire City to the title in the most dramatic fashion, deadly inside and outside the box, Aguero is one of the hottest properties around at the minute.

1. Robin Van Persie

Van Persie has managed to dig Arsenal out of a hole this year, he has been immense for them, scoring 30 times in the league, including a last minute winner at Anfield, a hat-trick against Chelsea and a great volley to win the game when all everythign else just wouldn't happen against Everton. Without Van Persie's goals Arsenal would have had 22, yes 22 fewer points this season, his free-kick, finishing and surprising injury-free season has made Barcelona stand up and take notice of the Dutch hit man.

3. Olivier Giroud

The Montpellier man has apparently agreed a move to Arsenal for £13 million, which is an absolute bargain for the season he's had. Helping Montpellier to their first league title only with Younes Belhanda by scoring 21 goals, finishing joint top scorer with Nene. His skillful dribbling and ability to bring players into the game has obviously appealed to the Arsenal style of play and goal scoring ability to take the weight off Van Persie's shoulders if he stays.

2. Nene

In at number 2 is PSG maestro Nene, who as I said finished joint top scorer in the league has been in outstanding form for the Paris outfit this year. Along with Alex PSG have to of the best free kick takers there is, with Nene being able to bend the ball in from the most acute of angles. His ability to pick a pass has lead to him picking up 11 assists as well, his accuracy is so precise that he has scored a goal in less than every 5 shots.

1. Eden Hazard

Hazard has been terrorising defences in Ligue 1 this year , scoring 20 goals and getting 16 assists in the process, his dynamic dribbling, low centre of gravity and ability to slide through a pass is what attracted Chelsea to the young 20 year old. He has an eye for the spectacular some of his solo efforts have been similar to Lionel Messi and has been touted as one of the best players in the world who is not yet at the peak of his powers.

3. Mats Hummels

The 23 year old centre back is one of the most wanted men in Europe, until he decided to break all the big clubs hearts and signed a contract extension with Borussia Dortmund. His positioning and tackling ability is wonderful whilst his heading ability makes him a real threat in the opponents box, as well as a thumping penalty, but then all Germans have that! An extremely confident centre-back with the ball at his feet, wouldn't look out of place in any team, definitely one to watch!

2. Robert Lewandowski

Could have picked Gomez or Huntelaar but I think Lewandowski has been magnificent this season for Dortmund, scoring 22 goals and getting 8 assists put him 3rd in both tables respectively. His compsure and cool head with the ball at his feet and when faced by a keeper is outstanding, netting the all important goal at the Signal Iduna Park to beat Bayern 1-0 and all but seal the title. This capped off by a DFB Pokal Final Hat-trick gave Dortmund their first double in their History.

1. Marco Reus 

I've chosen Marco Reus as number 1 as he has been exceptional for Borussia Mochengladbach this year, scoring 18 goals along with 99 assists whilst not playing as the main striker. He is arguably the most creative player in the world at the minute, with his blistering pace and dazzling runs, he will fill the gap left by Shinji Kagawa at Dortmund when he leaves for Machester United.

So that's the first part complete! Hope you enjoyed it!

Thanks for reading!

Jonathan.

Follow me on Twitter: @JWalsh97