More Future Premier Leaguers

Koke

Just as Ander Herrera is showing in preseason for Manchester United, Koke probably should have featured more heavily in Brazil this summer.  Luckily for him, he was granted playing time in the last game and a half, but only when Spain were already eliminated.  His versatile dynamism would have given Spain another edge in the tournament and his youthful edge theoretically gave him an advantage in the heat.  

In La Liga last season, Koke created more chances and completed more key passes than Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso, and Fabregas.  His attacking versatility across the midfield makes him highly adaptable, and in my opinion is one of the most unique players in Europe.  Manchester United were linked with him in the past few transfer windows, but any serious move to England has yet to materialize.  It’s a long shot, especially considering he just signed a new five year contract in June, but seeing Koke in the premier league would be a treat for everyone.  

Paul Pogba

Since he left Manchester United rather controversially, Paul Pogba has experienced a meteoric rise in exposure and form at Juventus.  In just three years, Pogba has gone from being left on the bench to watch Park Ji-Sung and Rafael play in midfield, to being named the finest young player in the World Cup.  Pogbas rise in form cowers in the shadow of his popularity and transfer stock however.  

Pogba is the kind of player who could one day be the most expensive player in history, but he has yet to prove himself in the premier league.  In Brazil he was outstanding for France, bossing the midfield at just 21.  His speed, power, agility, vision, and tackling ability make him a star, but his flair for the dramatic and the odd goal that makes you wonder “what am I doing with my life?” make him world class.  At a similar age, Pogba is gaining rockstar status as Cristiano Ronaldo did at Manchester United. 

Marco Verratti

From league to league, formations and positions have their own unique niches and prototypical players.  Marco Verratti, considered by some to be the heir to Andrew Pirlo, plays a deep-lying playmaker role.  In England, deep-lying midfielders are more often than not physical and combative (think Matic, Fernandinho, Barry, Diaby, and now Emre Can).  Verratti, like Pirlo, prefers to sit in front of the defense and pull the strings from deep, something we don’t see a lot of in England.  

This is rare in the English game, but if he were paired with a commanding defensive midfielder, Verratti could be a revelation in the premier league.  It’s highly unlikely Verratti would ask for a move to England, and it’s even more unlikely he won’t be snapped up by a Spanish or Italian club.  Premier League clubs would never meet the valuation for Verratti, especially since his position is so obsolete and undervalued in England.  For me however, I like to imagine these situations and am fascinated by the idea of having a player with such unique qualities adapt to different leagues.  

Serge Aurier 

Aurier was involved in some of the earliest transfer sagas that graced the summer window with Arsenal.  In Brazil, the Ivorian teenager was arguably the most influential right back in the group stages.  Aurier can absolutely fly down the wing, and showed his crossing ability against Japan with two assists.  PSG did well to snap up the youngster who has settled well in France, but there is a long future ahead for this bright young star.  

Premier league sides have an affinity for attacking fullbacks these days, a practice that was started in the 1980’s with Arsenal’s famous English back four; Nigel Winterburn and Lee Dixon were the original marauding defenders in England.  Aurier is a prototype for these type of players, as he has a rare combination of size and speed.  At just 21, Aurier has room for improvement, and if anything he needs to stay more disciplined defensively.  Then again, Gareth Bale was once a fullback with the same problem, and is a testament to the most simple ways of solving a problem; just move him to winger…  In a solid system with disciplined central midfielders, Aurier could be devastating in England.