Tuesday, June 11, 2013

SCOUTING REPORT: United, City, Chelsea and Arsenal circling Under 21 championship... but not England's flops



 

The Premier League's top scouts are watching the current European Under 21 championship like hawks – but there's not much interest in Stuart Pearce's England flops. 
So far, the most sought-after ticket was Holland's clash against Germany, attended by 40 scouts; from Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United as well as Champions League finalists Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, and upwardly-mobile powerhouses such as Turkey's Galatasaray. 
As the group stages in Israel come to a conclusion on Tuesday and Wednesday, we look at the names who are top of the window-shopping list. 
 

MARCO VAN GINKEL (HOLLAND) 

Interest from: Chelsea, Ajax 
The 20-year-old Vitesse Arnhem midfielder is arguably the most sought-after player in the whole tournament and regarded by Chelsea as an ideal long-term replacement for Frank Lampard. 
At 6ft 1in, Van Ginkel has the energy to run from box-to-box but is more tactically sophisticated than Lampard and can fill in anywhere in the middle. He is valued at £15million and should go all the way to the final with Holland, with Chelsea watching every step.

KEVIN STROOTMAN (HOLLAND) 

Interest from: Manchester United, Chelsea 
A mainstay of the PSV team that has just finished second in the Dutch league, Strootman is the type of quality defensive midfield player United and Chelsea have lacked since the departures of Owen Hagreaves and Claude Makelele. 
Strootman, 23, has played 18 times for the Dutch national team but is still eligible for this under-21 tournament and is Holland's captain. 
United have long been regarded as favourites to sign him but Jose Mourinho is a fan too.
ISCO (SPAIN) 

Interest from: Manchester City, Real Madrid 
The most valuable player in the tournament, the question is just how valuable? Current club Malaga want £36m for the 21-year-old playmaker who helped them to the Champions League quarter-finals. He is the key man if Spain are to justify their favourites tag and become European champions. 
With Manuel Pellegrini, his old Malaga boss, due to be installed at City shortly, Isco could very well end up at The Etihad Stadium. 
But Real Madrid, the club most La Liga players want to end up, are also in the running and may offer Jose Callejon as  a makeweight.
ASIER ILLARRAMENDI (SPAIN) 

Interest from: Arsenal 
A defensive midfielder, but extremely skilful, Real Sociedad's Illarramendi has been Spain's best player in Israel so far.
Following the success of Santi Carzola, Arsenal are tempted to enter the Spanish market again and have noted 23-year-olkd Illarramendi's performances in the national-team shirt. 
Arsene Wenger has never properly replaced Patrick Vieira because of Abou Diaby's injuries and following the departure of Alex Song to Barcelona, could head to La Liga again.
STEFAN JOHANSEN (NORWAY) 

Interest from: Everton 
With new manager Roberto Martinez looking at how to take Everton to the next level, the club have been looking at 22-year-old Johansen, part of the Norway team who humbled England 3-1 on Saturday.
Still playing in his native country with Stromgodset, midfielder Johansen has been capped by his country at every level up to the under-21s.
MANOLO GABBIADINI (ITALY)

Interest from: Tottenham 
The Juventus striker, on loan to Bologna last season, impressed against England and then scored twice against Israel, both performances under the watchful eye of Spurs scouts.
The 21-year-old scored six goals in Serie A last season and at 6ft 1in with decent technical ability, he might be able to make the transition to the Premier League.
P.S

Meanwhile, England's main centre-forward Connor Wickham has been linked with a second loan move to Sheffield Wednesday after failing to make the grade at Sunderland. 
Only Luke Shaw of Southampton from Stuart Pearce's squad may get a summer move to a bigger club.

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