Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
By John A.
Let’s face it: a lot of top Premier League footballers started their careers, or played in the French league, before the big move.
Adebayor, Henry, Desailly and good old Eric Cantona made a name in Ligue 1 before illuminating the EPL. Cech , Arteta and Vieira came from the Cannes finishing school. Nasri arrived in London from Marseille , Drogba and Malouda from le Mans and Guimgamp…
So, let’s have a look at who could be next on the production line of great players from France, including a striker who would be a great fit for Liverpool.
Marco Verrati – midfield
You may well already have heard about him. Marco Verrati is a Paris St Germain playmaker performing just in front of the defence. Born in 1992 in Pescara, Italy, people are already calling him “the little Pirlo”.
Here is a young player who usually gets the nod in a star studded squad and a team which boasts Thiago Motta, Javier Pastore and/or Blaise Matuidi, who is arguably the best French player of the moment.
Verrati cost a comparatively modest £10m from Pescara in the summer and quickly proved to be a great buy. As mentioned, he plays like Pirlo, with excellent passing skills and the capacity to carve open the tightest of games. He plays in the midfield, between Frenchmen Clement Chantome and Matuidi, and just in front of the most costly defence in Europe. 4 months ago a French sports paper asked “Who is Marco Verrati?” That question has already been answered emphatically.
On 15 august 2012, the 19 year-old was handed his international debut for Italy against England.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – striker
He’s only 23 but this guy would could be the perfect answer for a club like Liverpool. Aubameyang, born 1989, is a St Etienne striker and currently 2nd highest scorer in Ligue 1 (behind Zlatan). Aubameyang has already played for AC Milan, Lille OSC and Monaco. A skillful and powerful striker, his father was also a decent professional, who played most of his carreer in France.
Pierre-Emerick is capable of playing as a centre forward or attacking midfielder, mostly on the left. After playing for the French U21s, he opted to represent Gabon at full international level and impressed at the last African Cup of Nations. For many, he was the best player of the tournament.
Nominated for African Player Of The Year, Premier League clubs are now looking at him with some interest. Tottenham, Aston Villa and Liverpool have been linked. But Bernard Caizzo, St Etienne chairman, has insisted that he is not for sale. Where have we heard that before?
Keep a close eye on this player, he could be the next big thing…
John A, soccersweep
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