"Scouting key to finding potential bargains.."

From The Times January 1, 2010

Scouting key to finding potential bargains in January transfer window
Gabriele Marcotti says clubs should look beyond the Champions League if they are looking for value in January transfer window

Gabriele Marcotti, European Football Correspondent

The transfer window has opened, which means plenty of opportunities for agents to push their wares and clubs to write big cheques.

The key, as ever, is scouting and several rules of thumb apply. Players who featured in the Champions League will cost more, if only because more of the decision-makers will have heard of them (maybe even watched them on television) and therefore they will be willing to spend more.

Equally, players linked to Barclays Premier League clubs will, almost by magic, see their valuation rise: when you are selling to the wealthy, you can ask for a little more. With that in mind, here are some suggestions — in no particular order — drawn from clubs outside the Champions League and with an eye towards the long term.

Sébastien Corchia Defender, Le Mans / France, 19 A graduate of Clairefontaine, France’s national academy, he can play anywhere on the right, providing plenty of drive and width. Difficult to beat one on one, he is also an outstanding free-kick taker and crosser of the ball.

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Diego Alves Goalkeeper, Almería / Brazil, 24 Athletic and fearless shot-stopper who excels in a very mediocre team. Thought to be a bit too small, but he is no smaller than Shay Given at 6ft 1in.

Michael Bradley Midfield player, Borussia Mönchengladbach / USA, 22 Hyperactive central midfield player, who goes box to box and covers a tremendous amount of ground. Tactically very intelligent. Only drawback is that he is prone to red mist.

Antonio Candreva Midfield player, Livorno on loan from Udinese / Italy, 22 Roams the midfield with aggression and personality, a jack of all trades who does all the little things that matter, rarely makes mistakes and plays with intensity for 90 minutes.

Eljero Elia Forward, Hamburg / Holland, 22 Will not come cheap — Hamburg spent £8.5 million on him — but is one of the best young wingers around. Quick, tricky and strong, he also plays with maturity and mental toughness.

Filipe Defender, Deportivo La Coruña / Brazil, 24 Played every minute of every league game for Deportivo last season, he is a left back who can run all day and provide a constant threat on the flank. Excellent final ball into the box.

Simon Kjaer Defender, Palermo / Denmark, 20 Dominant in the air and cultured, he is a modern centre back who reads the game well. Can still improve once he fully harnesses his physical gifts.

Javi Martínez Midfield player, Athletic Bilbao / Spain, 21 At 6ft 3in, he has a rare blend of strength and technique. Bilbao paid £6 million for him as an 18-year-old, so he is used to being in the spotlight.

Rafinha Defender, Schalke 04 / Brazil, 24 An attacking right back with pace, shooting ability and trickery. Would probably have a number of caps, were it not for Maicon and Daniel Alves.

Luis Suárez Striker, Ajax / Uruguay, 22 Sixty-nine goals in 89 appearances since joining Ajax in the summer of 2007. Can pretty much play anywhere on the attacking front.

Mamadou Sakho Defender, Paris Saint-Germain / France, 19 A born leader who captained PSG at the age of 17, Sakho is athletic and intelligent. He is the kind of player you build your back four around.

Iker Muniain Midfielder, Athletic Bilbao / Spain, 17 The youngest man on this list (he celebrated his birthday only last month), Muniain could be a boom-or-bust gamble. Stands a shade under 5ft 5in, so comparisons with Lionel Messi are inevitable. Lots of pace and dribbling ability, but also plays without fear.

Giampaolo Pazzini Striker, Sampdoria / Italy, 25 Not exactly unknown, since he scored a hat-trick for Italy’s under-21 side in the first game at the new Wembley, Pazzini has progressed nicely since then. Lethal in the air, clinical in the penalty box, he’s an old school all-around centre forward.

Andrea Ranocchia Defender, Bari on loan from Genoa / Italy, 21 At 6ft 5in, he is an athletic giant who dominates in the air but is also very accomplished with his feet (he played as an attacking midfield player until a few years ago). Not the quickest, but has intelligence and skill.

Neven Subotic Defender, Borussia Dortmund / Serbia, 21 He is 6ft 4in, fast and solid on the ball, but Subotic has only scraped the surface of his potential. Just needs to iron out the odd mental error to be the real deal.

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article6972970.ece