This summer has already been ‘summer of the playmaker’ across Europe with these exquisite breeds of footballer becoming much in demand again. Once upon a time, the English Premier League was not natural habitat for this kind of player, before the likes of Zola, Cantona, Bergkamp, Ginola and Di Canio lit up the stage and garnered cult-like status with their respective clubs.
In more recent years many big-name players have chosen to leave English shores and much speculation surrounds the current crop of playmakers, so it has been somewhat surprising to see so many linked with moves in and out of the country. With Charlie Adam already sealing a move, and players like Sneijder and Aguero rumoured to be incoming, Tevez and Taarabt leaving, here are five other current hot-property playmakers that the Premiership must keep - to ensure Sky TV’s self-promoting ‘Best League in the World’ doesn’t lose anymore gloss...
5. Rafael van der Vaart – Tottenham Hotspur
When Spurs managed to pick him up with minutes to spare of the transfer deadline in the summer of 2010 they caught many by surprise. Even more surprising, was the price; a bargain at £8 million from a player who was a Dutch international and an icon at his boyhood club Ajax, before starring in Germany with Hamburg. A dream transfer to Real Madrid seemed to be his pinnacle, but he never really shone at the Bernabeau, leading to a transfer to the north London club. His class was instantly apparent, linking play and scoring many vital goals. His impact was such, that it led him to become the early frontrunner for the league’s Player of the Year award. If he stays clear of injury, he has ever chance of establishing himself as a Premier League star.
4. Samir Nasri – Arsenal
News seemed to come from out of the blue that Nasri was severely unhappy with the situation at Arsenal. That unhappy, that he’s willing to move to league rivals Manchester United or Manchester City. The want-away Frenchman unwilling to sign a new contract at the Emirates due to an apparent lack of ambition at the club, who have yet to sign any big name players. The two clubs from Manchester showed an instant interest with United seemingly in pole-position at one point, only for big-spending City to leapfrog to the front of the queue. Nasri, who has mostly played wide during his career, has enjoyed influential spells drifting inside with his natural dribbling ability and showing his talent for linking play whilst supplying the strikers. He has become a more attractive proposition to other clubs sniffing around like Inter Milan, though a move to Manchester seems most likely.
3. Luka Modric – Tottenham Hotspur
The Croat’s ability has never been in doubt, though he was once seen as too lightweight to make it in the Premier League. He silenced those doubters last season with a series of fine displays, and, not unlike Nasri, has been trusted more to operate where he is most influential, in a central-role. His energy and jinking runs are a joy to watch - though Spurs fans may have to get used to watching him in blue next season, as Chelsea have made it clear they want him, and Modric has made it clear he wants to leave. A rumoured £30 million bid being put together to take him to the ‘bridge.
2. Cesc Fabregas - Arsenal
The Arsenal skipper completes our North London quartet of playmaker stars, and is the most likely to leave these shores with Barcelona his probably destination. Not only are Barcelona European Champions and currently seen as the best team in the world, but they are Cesc’s boyhood club. It seems inevitable that he will rejoin them soon with Arsenal doing all they can to repel the ever-growing advances. It would represent a massive loss to Arsenal, where he became the captain and club icon, but the Premier League will also be losing one of its genuine world stars. If Arsenal can manage to keep him for yet another year it will represent a massive victory for them, and for the league.
1. Wayne Rooney – Manchester United
Ok, Rooney may be more of a striker and not a typical playmaker, but ability and technique-wise, he is the closest resemblance to one as an Englishman gets. If any doubts linger, he also wears the proper playmaker shirt – the number 10 - which is more than the other five on this list! Rooney is the undoubted star of the English Premier League, ask any fans abroad who is, and Rooney’s name will almost certainly follow. If Rooney was ever to become available, he would probably have his pick of the biggest clubs in the world to choose from. Luckily for the Premier League, and United fans (now that he’s got his huge pay-rise last autumn), he is going nowhere soon.
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