With each World Cup come some thrilling performances – from teams and individuals. Often, a player will catch the eye of one of the world’s biggest clubs and move on to greener pastures.
In South Africa, there have been quite a few who have put their hand up.
Most of these players already play for very good clubs.
But which may make the move to bigger, more successful clubs, after dazzling displays in South Africa.
Two of Germany’s young stars immediately come to mind, Thomas Muller (20 years of age) and Mesut Ozil (21).
All credit to the Bundesliga, where these two products have applied their trade for a couple of years at Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen respectively.
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly singled out Muller as a transfer target.
Meanwhile, Ozil has come under recognition from both Sir Alex Ferguson and Inter Milan.
Both possess similar qualities with pace, lovely ball control, a nice passing game and the ability to get into good positions to create goal-scoring opportunities.
Teammate and holding midfielder Sami Khedira, 23, currently at Stuttgart, has also attracted plenty of attention.
A couple of others have also caught the eye:
Alexis Sanchez (Chile & Udinese) – interest from Manchester United.
Eljero Elia (Netherlands & Hamburg) – interest from Juventus and clubs from England.
Marek Hamsik (Slovakia & Napoli) – interest from Chelsea.
Keisuke Honda (Japan & CSKA Moscow) – interest from AC Milan and other clubs.
Raul Meireles (Portugal & FC Porto) – interest from Chelsea.
Winston Reid (New Zealand & Midtylland) – interest from Arsenal and Blackburn.
Some of these players will remain at their current clubs, some will move on.
Clubs will often declare an interest, but moves sometimes aren’t possible.
Some are just rumours created by agents or news organizations.
I’ll go for the likes of Muller, Ozil, Sanchez and Raul Meireles to make a switch.
Who do you think is ready to make a big time move?
Chris K
Guest
Gary Medel and Waldo Ponce of Chile were good players this tournament. A club in europe would do well to buy them both and have them as a Central Defensive pairing. It was no coincidence gthat Chile got torn apart by Brazil in their absence. I think Medel is already in Europe but as far as i know Ponce is still playing in Chile, so he would probably be a bargain buy. Alcaraz and Da Silva were also good for Paraguay, I know Da Silva is already at Sunderland. Andre Ayew of Ghana had a good tournament as did Kevin Prince Boateng, From what I've heard Ayew plays 2nd division in France, that surely isn't going to last. Landon Donovan is probably good enough to play in Europe
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Kawashima is reportedly going to Lierse SK in Belgium. Not the big time but a good move for a keeper who had a very good World Cup. Certainly it is rare to see Asian keepers in Europe and I suspect a number of the Japanese side will be pilfered over the next week or two. A pity Tanaka is now 29 as he is the one player that really should have taken the step up.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I watched the Budesliga on One also and enjoyed the standard of play, it's an underated competition. The skill level is impressive. It provides a great platform for the German team where as the EPL takes precedence over the England team. I also think the 2 week break over Christmas is a great idea. It freshens up the players for the back end of the year particularly for Euro Champs and World Cups.
Fisher Price
Guest
I agree - Muller's going nowhere. Also, Wenger won't buy to replace Fabregas.
Axel V
Guest
The Bundesliga is the best and most exciting league in the world in my personal opinion. All the clubs play attacking football,the clubs are in large shiney brand new stadiums left from the 2006 World Cup, the supporters are very passionate and active (now i know where the Victory get half their chants from).The EPL pales in comparison. And you can't get bigger than Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. It's the most under rated league in the world. And here is one of the 100's of examples of Arjen Robben's brilliance this season, is only 30 seconds, he was by head and shoulder the player of the Bundesliga in 09/10. This is in the DFB Pokal Cup, semi final, 0-0 after 90 minutes so it's in extra time, Pokal Cup is the German version of FA Cup. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bwtg5qjoMY
Fivehole
Guest
It was all over the place, normally on a Monday evening around 10:30pm. One bumped it all over the schedule, but sometimes a repeat could be found. Gotta agree with Art, i recorded it weekly and thoroughly enjoyed it, far better than most highlights packages i've seen (although occasionally they chopped a game or two towards the end of the season)
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
The guy who does the Bundesliga voice overs is brilliant. Great voice. Do you remember what time it was on?
Art Sapphire
Guest
One HD had the Bundesliga highlights show last season, Dejan. The Bundesliga one hour package was a lot more enjoyable than the EPL highlights show. All they showed were highlights - no magazine filler. Setanta also has the rights on Australian Pay tv
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Fair call Fivehole. Bayern are a super club, but WE (in Australia) barely get to see them other than in Europe - drew me into a comment like that. No doubt big - good pick up.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Hope so re: Oar! Honda played some quality football up front. He was super - one of the best at the tournament until Japan got knocked out.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
It is a credit to the Bundesliga - I think it gives players more of a chance technically because it isn't so physical. But more people would still watch the EPL.
Fivehole
Guest
As you have stated Mueller plays for Bayern. You also said "But which may make the move to bigger, more successful clubs, after dazzling displays in South Africa" Are you saying Bayern, champions league finalists, are not a big club?
Art Sapphire
Guest
Muller is contracted at Bayern until 2013. Ozil is contected at Werder until 2011. I can see Ozil going to Arsenal as a replacement for Fabregas. Muller will stay at Bayern, they are a big club chasing big titles. He's only 20. There's no hurry for him. He can wait until his mid-20's Honda is a huge story. This guy was playing at little VV Venlo for a few seasons in the Eredivisie. CSKA then forked out 6million Euro for him 6 months ago. Nice little earner for Venlo and he could be come a big earner for CSKA. Just shows that even if you go to a little club in Europe, you do get noticed. Let's see if someone like Tommy Oar can do the same in the next few years at Utrecht.
Mick
Guest
The further Germany go the more it makes the Fox Sports look like fools. Fox Sports have been knocking the German League, the standard & games being poor but Fox Sports were always talking up the English Premier League as the best in all ways Interesting what Fox Sports will say this season or will they keep talking up epl as Fox have the tv rights
Lu
Guest
It's going to be a feeding frenzy, with millions upon millions to be splashed out.. will be both interesting and disgusting..