BRAZIL WERE CROWNED deserving Confederations Cup champions at a delirious Estadio de Maracana last night with Neymar, Hulk, Fred and Paulinho just some of the members of a Brazilian squad which has further enhanced its reputation ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Aside from the winners, here are three players that did their reputations and future transfer fees no harm at all with some eye-catching displays during a memorable fortnight in South America.
Edinson Cavani – Uruguay
The Napoli striker added a few zeroes to his potential transfer fee following a consistent showing at this summer’s Confederations Cup. The 26-year old was stationed at the apex of a three-pronged Uruguayan attack that also included Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan, scored three goals in four appearances and underlined his undoubted quality with a wonderful free-kick in the 2-2 third and fourth place play-off against Italy.
Chelsea continue to hover, waving a €58 million transfer fee cheque in the air and based on his most recent displays, Cavani would be worth every cent.
Daniele De Rossi – Italy
Andrea Pirlo might be the Italian and world media’s darling but the Juventus playmaker’s influence would be less effective without Daniele De Rossi by his side. De Rossi was the central cog in Cesare Prandelli’s 3-4-2-1 formation at the Confederations Cup with the Roma midfielder’s ability to get from box to box, close down opposing attacks (his performance against Spain underling this fact) and support his front three cementing his status as one of the best defensive midfielders in the game.
Manchester City have not yet given up hope of securing the Italian’s signature and De Rossi would represent a huge upgrade of the 2012 Premier League champions’ midfield.
Shinji Kagawa – Japan
Premier League fans know all about the Manchester United midfielder’s qualities since transferring from Borussia Dortmund despite an injury-plagued first season in English football. Kagawa played in an exciting attacking Japanese midfield alongside Hiroshi Kiyotake and Keisuke Honda that lit up the early stages of this summer’s Confederations Cup.
Kagawa scored a cracking volley in the 4-3 loss to Italy and starred in the narrow 2-1 defeat to Mexico, brilliantly linking midfield with attack and enjoying a 79% pass rating. David Moyes will hope his Japanese international can carry his summer form into the early weeks of the new domestic campaign where a full pre-season should see Shinji Kagawa stake a claim for a first team spot.
