Tag Archives: talents

Lorenzo Insigne: Napoli’s Next Superstar

  By O-Posts Team | October 18, 2012 - 18:46 | , , ,
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Big game in the Italian Serie A on the cards this weekend as joint league leaders Juventus and Napoli square off in the battle to first. Many, including myself, are quite surprised with how strong Napoli have started off their Serie A campaign this season especially after losing one of their best players, Ezequiel Lavezzi, over the summer and not going into the transfer market to find a replacement.

Someone had to fill the big shoes in the starting XI left after Lavezzi’s departure to PSG (same club now linked to be interested in making a move for Lavezzi’s replacement).
Enter Lorenzo Insigne.

….Let’s get to know a bit about the man first.

 

Player Profile


Name: Lorenzo Insigne
Date of birth: June 4, 1991 (age 21)
Place of birth: Naples, Italy
Height: 5 ft 4 in
Position: Striker, LW

 

Previous clubs:

2006–now: Napoli (2006-09 youth career)
2009–10: Cavese (loan) (Serie C1)
2010–11: Foggia (loan) (Serie C1)
2011–12: Pescara (loan) (Serie B)

If you are reading this, I bet about 99% of you probably never heard the name Lorenzo Insigne before this season. No need to feel ashamed, I didn’t know much about him either other than he was a bright prospect for the future in Walter Mazzarri’s squad. But, many Serie A experts and diehard supporters, fellow Italian players, and Napoli supporters, they knew Lorenzo Insigne was not only the man to fill in for Lavezzi and be a better player than his predecessor, but also one of the biggest talents for the future of Italian footballer.

With him being at 5’4”, Napoli fans haven’t been this excited over a small-sized footballer since the likes of Diego Maradona and Gianfranco Zola were wearing the Napoli sky blue shirts.

Some Napoli supporters already compare his style of play to the likes of Lionel Messi and call him his “twin”. I can see why they compare him to the Barcelona superstar.

Insigne is a very gifted footballer with great technical skill and a smart football brain, which some experts say Lavezzi lacked. When watching him play, Insigne is a player who puts his stamp on the game with the swagger and flair that he possesses. He’s a player with loads of pace and great acceleration on and off the ball and a fabulous dribbler that is able to beat defenders with either trickery or pace. He has tremendous balance and control, which is a defender’s worst nightmare when you combine that with his pace and dribbling abilities.

He is also a confident and clinical finisher. Because of his confidence, he’s never afraid to take a shot on goal no matter the distance or area of difficulty. He is also an underrated playmaker and creates many chances for his teammates as shown during his loan spells. He has a tremendous work-rate on the attack and is one of those players that tracks back and helps defend when it’s needed.

Before he could make his mark on the Serie A, Insigne had to test himself in more shallow waters with loan moves to lower Italian divisions over the past 3 seasons. And under the tutelage of well-known Czech coach Zdeněk Zeman, Insigne blossomed during those three years.

Last season was a coming-of-age season for Lorenzo Insigne as he spent time on loan at Serie B club Pescara. He took the Serie B by storm as he accumulated a total of 18 goals and had 14 assists in the Italian second division and was the catalyst that helped Pescara gain promotion in the Serie A. Last year was Insigne’s test to see if he was ready for first team football in Serie A and to take Lavezzi’s place in the Napoli squad. And he passed with flying colors grabbing a chokehold of Serie B with relative ease.

In his first season play for Napoli in the Serie A, Insigne is already impressing many pundits with his performances for Walter Mazzarri’s side. His play so far this season has already earned him his first call up to the Italian National Team, where he got his first international cap in September. Now, more people around the football world have taken notice to Insigne as a future star and a vital player for Italy in the near future.

Even though supporters compare him to Messi, another player comes to Insigne’s mind as the player he is trying to emulate. That man is no other than his idol and Juve legend, Alessandro Del Piero.

When talking about Del Piero in an interview, Insigne said, “I look up to him [Del Piero]. As a kid, I watched all of his goals and I’d love to ‘steal’ his curling shots.”

After hearing Insigne’s words, the new Sydney FC star [Del Piero] showed great class and humility by calling the young Neapolitan star and congratulating him on his National team call-up and giving him praise on how good of a footballer he is. A true sign of class from one of the most humble players to have graced a football pitch.

Insigne has received praise throughout the football world. Napoli and Italian NT teammate, Christian Maggio, has been hugely impressed by Insigne’s class and quality and has stated that Insigne is better than former teammate, Ezequiel Lavezzi. Another Napoli teammate, Goran Pandev, has also stated that Insigne’s playing style reminds him of Messi. Pandev stated:

“He’s a great guy. In terms of his dribbling, he reminds me of Messi, who is the best in the world, and Insigne has the chance to emulate the career of the Barcelona phenomenon.”

Even though he has been getting a lot of praise, the young Napoli striker is making sure to remain level-headed and not getting ahead of himself by telling La Repubblica:

“I thank Goran for comparing me to Messi, but let’s not exaggerate. It is better to avoid such comparisons. Messi is extraordinary, even if personally I still think the greatest player who ever lived was Diego Maradona.”

And in recent rumors, it seems that Carlo Ancelotti is interested in bringing Insigne to PSG possibly this January. But due to Insigne being a life-long Napoli supporter, he has refuted to any claims of him leaving by stating:

“I have always supported this club [Napoli] and would like to one day become a symbol of Napoli.”


Lorenzo Insigne is a very talented and gifted footballer that lacks a big ego that would get him carried away with all the praise he has received in the past two months. A lot of expectations have been put on him by fellow club supporters with the comparisons to Messi and seeing him as being their new Maradona or Zola and helping Napoli lift their first Serie A title since 1990. But, if anyone can handle these expectations, that person is young Lorenzo Insigne.

As the new-and-improved successor to Ezequiel Lavezzi, Insigne will have a chance to shine as one of the three members of Napoli’s attacking three-headed monster consisting of Marek Hamsik, Edinson Cavani, and himself. With the help of Hamsik and Cavani, they both will take a lot of the pressure away from Insigne to perform right away. With these two right by the young Italian striker’s side, Lorenzo Insigne can blossom into the player the everyone is expecting to be.

A big test for Napoli this weekend as they visit current champions Juventus, whose only lose in the last in over the last year has come to Napoli in the Coppa Italia final. A result this weekend will guarantee Napoli as the biggest threat to Juve for the Scudetto this season.

Whether he starts or not, expect Lorenzo Insigne to get the opportunity to make a statement to the rest of Italy and the football world that his time has come.

 

Written by Khalid Khan

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Scout Report: Chuks Aneke (Arsenal)

  By O-Posts Team | September 26, 2012 - 16:08 | , ,
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Chuks Aneke

 

General Information-

Age: 19

Nationality: English and Nigerian (Played for England youth levels, but still eligible for both senior teams)

Height: 6 ft 3

Position: Central Midfielder

Plays for: Crewe Alexandra (On loan from Arsenal)

 

Aneke joined Arsenal in 2001 but has so far only managed to make 1 appearance for the Gunners, which came in the Carling cup victory over Shrewsbury in 2011. After making that debut he went on to have 2 loan spells that season, firstly at Stevenage who he joined up with from 22nd November 2011 until the March 2012.

He managed to make 6 appearances for the club, while also picking up a 3 game suspension for a high footed tackle against Leyton Orient.

After this loan spell ended he was only back at parent club Arsenal for a short period of time before being sent on a second loan spell to Preston North end where he spent the rest of the season making 7 appearances while also scoring on his debut for the club.

Back at Arsenal for the clubs summer pre-season he joined them on the clubs tour of Asia where he scored the winner against a Malaysian XI picking up the ball on the edge of the area where his strike took a massive deflection off a defender before finding the back of the net.

During the start of the 2012/13 season Aneke was again sent out on loan. This time to Crewe Alexandra on a month long deal, where so far he has made 2 appearances but has also picked up a red card for a reckless challenge, resulting in a 3 game ban.

Aneke who has been compared in likes of playing style to that of Arsenal team-mate Abou Diaby has a lot of pace and power about him, and likes to drive his way through the middle of the park with the ball. He tries to impose himself on the game by bringing the ball into dangerous areas. He’s not afraid to have a shot, despite only having 1 senior club goal to his name; he has scored on several occasions for Arsenals reserves and U21 squads.

He has represented England at U16, U17, U18 and U19 levels, but his international future is still unsure of with his eligibility with Nigeria too and so far neither country has made any real strides to cap him.

He is a promising prospect and Arsenal coaches as well as the fans have high hopes for him, but he is going to have to bide his time and hope for plenty of first team football on loan if he hopes to break into Arsenals stacked midfield. The club will also hope to curb his disciplinary problems having picked up 2 red cards in 16 senior club appearances.

Once his short loan spell with Crewe Alexandra ends, there is a possibility he will make some Capital One cup appearances for Arsenal.

Given Arsenals stacked senior squad midfield and other promising prospects emerging. Aneke must take every chance he is given to impress if hopes to have a future in the Arsenal set up.

 

Written by Jacob Weeks

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Scout Report: Isco – The next in line to become a part of Spain’s best ever side

  By O-Posts Team | September 21, 2012 - 15:41 | , , ,
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Isco

I decided, as requested by O-Posts, to give you a brief report of Isco – Málaga’s rising talent – before his amazing first appearance in the Champions League last Tuesday.

Born in Benalmádena, a coastal town in the Andalusian province of Málaga, but a product of Valencia’s youth system, many people thought that Málaga CF was doing a stupid thing last year by paying six million euros for a boy who had only played four games with Valencia’s first team. Now, it seems a bargain.

He’s only 20 years of age, but after all we’ve seen of him in the last 12 months, I can say without any doubt that Francisco Roman Alarcon – his real name – is gifted with the quality and the winner mentality of the best Spanish generation in history, the double Euro and World Champions, that the likes of Iniesta, Xavi, Silva, Cesc or Cazorla possess.

We can define Isco as a modern ‘fantasista’, an Italian term used to name very special players; those from you can expect anything and everything when they are near the box. Isco can choose the perfect pass, do a great dribble or, and not many in Spain are capable of this, unleash a shot on goal with tremendous power and control.

He can now be considered one of the key Málaga CF players (along with Toulalan and Joaquín Sánchez) and maybe the best rising star in Spanish football. At 20, only Cesc could feel of such importance and distinction as Isco currently does, while he was still plying his trade at Arsenal.

At this age, Xavi, Iniesta or Silva were not even key players at Barcelona and Valencia – respectively- and Cazorla didn’t even play for Villarreal, because at 21 he was sold (and returned a year later) to humble Recreativo Huelva.

If nothing out of the ordinary happens, Vicente del Bosque is going to select Isco for Spain’s next national team call-up in October. I’ve no doubt about that.

 

Written by AS reporter/journalist, Jose Antonio Espina

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Scout Report: Robbie Hall (West Ham)

  By O-Posts Team | September 18, 2012 - 15:23 | , ,
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Robert Hall while on loan at Oxford United.

“Robbie Hall, Robbie Hall, Robbie Robbie Hall!” sang the Oxford faithful.

It was a cool Autumn evening in 2011 and Plymouth were the opponents. He’d just scored his second goal to make it 2-1 and his fifth in six games.

The cross came in from Damian Batt and Hall’s quick movement of his feet allowed the West Ham loanee to guide the ball with his left past the despairing Jake Cole in the Plymouth goal.

Oxford went on to win 5-1, but Robbie Hall was very much the man of the moment, and the man of the match.

Hall has also represent England at U16, U17, U18 and U19 levels. He was a member of the England side that won the 2010 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship in Liechtenstein and has an excellent goalscoring record at that level with eight goals in sixteen appearances.

So it was no surprise that in Spetember 2012, the 18 year old made his Premier League debut. He came on as a sub for Guy Demel in the 78′ minute in the 3-0 hammering of Fulham.

Hall has been likened to a young, left footed, Jermain Defoe. Now, we all know that no player has ever become the exact same player as one they have been compared to, but Robbie does have the same attributes as Defoe did at his time at Bournemouth.

He’s a fox in the box, who’s nippy and is in possession of a powerful, yet accurate, shot.

The only real weakness of Hall’s game is his lack of strength and he tired massively at the end of games during his spell at Oxford United. Strength will come with age, and he will certainly be hitting the weights over the next few years.

Can Robbie Hall reach the heights of Jermain? Only time will tell. But the future is certainly bright for young Robbie.

He’s a Premier League player in the making.

 

Written by Youcef El Barhdadi

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Scout Report: Cristian Tello (Barcelona)

  By O-Posts Team | September 15, 2012 - 16:26 | , , ,
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Cristian Tello

The facts:

Full name: Cristian Tello Herrera

Date of birth: August 11th 1991

Club: FC Barcelona

Position: ‘False number nine’ (midfield/forward)

Height: 1.78m

Weight: 43kg

Squad number: 11

 

Cristian Tello finally managed to break into what is arguably the best first team in the world, a first team consisting of Messi, David Villa, Fabregas, Sanchez, Pedro and Iniesta to name a few who can play in Tello’s position. So it is no mean feat to play 17 games in 2011-12 at the age of 21.

His pace and ball control would make this young Spaniard a superstar in almost any team. Tello had been linked with a move to Premier League club Arsenal in 2012’s January transfer window, however, Tello’s agent, Jose Orobitg, disapproved of any such move.

A member of the successful ‘Barca B’ system Cristian Tello is a name that refuses to go away with even Cesc Fabregas’ place in the team put under threat by the young man.

However I doubt the 21-year-old will succumb to any such pressure as he has always succeeded to step up when needed. Scoring just two minutes into his Champions League debut just one of the examples of his composure.

 

My ratings:

Goal threat- 77/100, potential goal threat 88/100.

Ball control- 82/100, potential ball control 92/100.

Short passing- 80/100, potential short passing 95/100.

Creativity- 81/100, potential creativity 87/100.

Adaptability- 86/100, potential adaptability 90/100.

Pace- 80/100, potential pace 88/100.

Legendary status- 0/100, potential legendary status 89/100.

Market value- £12m, potential market value £35m-£45m.

 

The summary:

Given the opportunity by potentially selling Cesc Fabregas Tello could develop into one of the best players on the planet.

However, several things hang in the balance such as Tito Vilanova’s willingness to take a risk on a youngster in his first season in which he is expected to bring La Liga back to the Catalans.

 

Written by Thomas Munson

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Ligue 1 Talents: Clement Grenier…. Remember the name.

  By O-Posts Team | September 15, 2012 - 13:11 | , , ,
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Clement Grenier

Maybe you know him, maybe not, but Clément Grenier is a big talent. He’s 21 years old and plays for l’Olympique Lyonnais, a French club who was once one of the best sides in the world not so long ago.

Grenier is a pure product of the club as he has been with the club since 2002. In 2008, he signed, at just 17 years old, his first pro contract with Lyon. But, who is Grenier?

He began playing football at the age of 3 at FC Annonay with his brother Bertrand but he rapidly progressed and at a higher level than most others in the club. At 11, he moves to Lyon after that the club showed interest in him.

He is considered a big talent and one of the future key players of the club since he’s 17 but he really emerged just last season mainly due to personal problems. Indeed, when you’re young and you’re earning a lot of money, you can become less professional and that’s what happened to the player but today he’s a changed man.

With the departure of Pjanic (AS Roma) and the injuries of Gourcuff and Ederson, the only natural playmaker left is Grenier and it’s finally his time to show the world what he’s capable of. And there is no doubt in my mind that he’ll take his chance.

Grenier has made a remarkable debut in his first full season in Ligue 1 and will gradually establish himself in the first XI.

It’s a big turnaround for a player who was a pro at 17 as well as an U19 European champion but who was, at some point in his career, lost in the glitz and glamour of his new life.

On his debut, he impressed a lot of managers and players like his Brazilian teammate Bastos who said that Grenier is a “player with a lot of qualities and extraordinary technique.”

Since 2011, his coach, Rémi Garde, has relied a lot on him and his first games of this season have been fantastic as he’s already scored a goal along with 2 assists, and has been impressive overall with his superb passing, great eye for goal and his well-regarded technical ability- he’s simply the complete playmaker.

Try and take the time to watch him play if you can to make your own opinion about him, but he’s been since last year one of my favourite young players and I wouldn’t be shocked if one day, Grenier plies his trade with one of Europe’s top clubs.

Links to a couple of videos of Grenier in action:

Clement Grenier against Dijon

Clement Grenier- Best moments

 

Written by Arslane Gharout

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Scouting Report: Chuba Akpom (Arsenal)

  By O-Posts Team | September 14, 2012 - 10:56 | , ,
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Chuba Akpom

 

This article is on my favourite Arsenal youngster: Chuba Akpom.

Akpom is a tall, young, talented centre-forward, who has bags of potential. In my opinion, he could be a natural heir to the famous no.14 shirt worn by Thierry Henry. They’re similar in stature, positioning, ability and playing style.

He likes to play off the last defender, and with his height and strength, he likes passes put in behind so he can power through and finish with great finesse. He has very quick feet, as well. These combined make him a huge threat in many ways, making him a dynamic striker and nightmare for defences.

He wasn’t expecting to play in the reserves this season; he quoted “I thought I’d play in the U18′s! I was surprised when I got the call up for the Next Gen(eration) Series!” There were many doubters of this call up, but the 17 year old has proven them wrong, bagging two goals in the opening NextGen game.

He does have a problem, however, and a fairly big one at that: Consistency. This is what drives fans mad; Theo Walcott for one example. He seems to be gaining more consistency, though, which the stats are proving. He scored 3 goals in four games for England U17s in the Nordic Cup last season. Impressive. Last year, though, he bagged just two goals in 15 appearances.

Described as “tall and creative” on Arsenal.com, as well as a great finisher by myself, who does this remind you of? A player who wore the no.14, and was French by any chance? Thought so.

He’s loved by many of the staff, especially Steve Bould who always played him when coaching the youth and reserves manager Terry Burton, who was quoted saying that “Akpom was excellent for a 16 year old” back in July after a friendly against Boreham Wood, as well as Arséne Wenger himself. Not bad for a 17 year old, don’t you think?

In two NextGen games, being among the youngest of the tournament, he’s grabbed two goals and an assist. I’d love to see him play in the Capital One Cup and I’m sure I’m not the only one, too.

With Afobe on loan, Chamakh our back up striker *sighs*, I wouldn’t put it past Wenger to give this wonderkid a go.

Chuba Akpom. The future Arsenal and England star. Mark my words.

 

Written by Deano Spyrou

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The Premier League’s Most Exciting Prospects: James Ward-Prowse

  By O-Posts Team | September 4, 2012 - 13:00 | , , , , , ,
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James Ward-Prowse

O-Posts will be hosting a series titled “The Premier League’s Most Exciting Prospects” written by our very own Henry Francis. Our first will be on Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse. We hope it’s up to your satisfaction and enjoyment. 

At 17, Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse is extremely young to be plying his trade in the Premier League, never mind as a starter. Delivering accomplished performances in his first three league games, Ward-Prowse has developed a reputation as one of the brightest young talents in England.

Coming from an excellent academy at Southampton, who have developed the likes of Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ward-Prowse was initially a Portsmouth season ticket holder and even went to their FA Cup Final at Wembley in 2008. However, due to Southampton’s incredible track record of producing great talent, Ward-Prowse chose their academy.

Now the decision is delivering dividends for Ward-Prowse. Appearing in all 3 of Southampton’s Premier-League games this season. Nigel Adkins – Southampton’s Manager – is showing a lot of faith in the 17 year old. Against Yaya Toure, the Premier League’s best midfielder, Ward-Prowse didn’t look out of place, and was one of Southampton’s best players.

Against Manchester United, Ward-Prowse more than matched the efforts of Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley and later Paul Scholes and put in an impressive shift against last season’s Premier League runners up.

This shows a lot about Ward-Prowse as a character and himself.

A lot of Premier League football is played psychologicially and the mind has become an important part of preperation and football in general. Ward-Prowse according to Southampton manager Nigel Adkins has an impressive mentality.

This amongst young players is important in their development and like Raheem Sterling at Liverpool (who is creating all sorts of media attention with his exciting displays), Ward-Prowse shows no fear when coming up against the likes of Yaya Toure and Paul Scholes.

Throughout the next few seasons look out for Ward-Prowse. Like Oxlade-Chamberlain, Bridge and Walcott before him, expect Ward-Prowse to feature for England and play for one of England’s “top” sides such as Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham, Arsenal or Man United in the future.

 

Written by Henry Francis

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