Damiao is not your typical Brazilian striker. He is an imposing, languid forward who provides a tremendous physical presence. Capable of scoring any kind of goal, he has already amassed a large portfolio from acrobatic finishes to poacher’s strikes. He rose to prominence last year as he netted an impressive 38 goals in 51 games for Internacional. Deadly in the box, Damiao has a fantastic sense of positioning that frequently puts him in the right place at the right time.

His excellent form for the Porto Alegre side was noted by Brazil coach Mano Menezes who drafted the prolific forward in for international duty. Damiao has since made five appearances for the Selecao with his first international goal coming against Ghana in September last year. Having made a strong case for regular selection, the 22-year-old is now widely tipped to lead the line for Brazil at the 2014 World Cup.

Despite his youth, Damiao is no stranger to responsibility. A fixture in one of Brazilian football’s premier clubs, the commanding striker is not one to shy away from the big occasion. Not long after his 21st birthday Damiao came on from the bench in the 2010 Copa Libertadores final. With his team narrowly hanging on to a first-leg advantage the striker made an instant impact, putting his side into the lead within four minutes of being on the pitch and leading the side to continental glory.

Another part of that Copa Libertadores winning unit was Sandro, a player who has enjoyed immense development in north London since his transfer. The deal was struck as part of the two clubs affiliation and the midfielder will no doubt attempt to encourage his compatriot to join him at White Hart Lane. Sandro may have endured a difficult start in the English capital but his progression will provide sound reasoning for Damiao to seriously consider a move to Tottenham.

Damiao rapid progression never ceases to amaze and he is becoming an ever more rounded player. Tottenham are looking to make Emmanuel Adebayor’s loan move from Manchester City permanent, but in the Brazilian they would possess ambitious striker, eager to make his mark on the European stage. The Togolese may have impressed during his spell at White Hart Lane, but Damiao offers different qualities. He thrives with the ball played into him and remains composed under pressure. He can retain the ball and involve the players around him, bringing the best out of the supporting wide players and midfielders.

He may not be proven on the European stage but the 22-year-old represents a cheaper and more exciting prospect. Tottenham will face stiff competition to acquire his services with both Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus taking an interest in the striker, but if they can win the race for his signature it could prove to be a real coup in the coming seasons.

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Who do you think could be the man to solve Tottenham’s striker problems? Let me know on Twitter.

The amount of players ready to cross the Atlantic is such a young age comes as they are offered huge responsibilities in the first team and on many occasions it can be sink or swim. The wealth of talent exported to Europe over the years has been extensive and clubs such as Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all now watch the continent like hawks, and here we take a look at the potential talents that have been warranting such attention.

Click on Oscar to unveil the top 10

Who from South America has caught your eye? Let me know on Twitter.

His time at the Santiago Bernabeu has been hampered by a variety of injuries which have seen him spend a large amount of time in the treatment room. This has hindered his ability to nail down a regular spot in the Madrid team and has also seen him fall out of favour with the coach of the Brazilian national team, Mano Menezes. At the start of this year Kaka was performing far from the standards that had come to be expected. His touch had deserted him and he always looked off the pace, a step behind his team-mates. Yet his revitalised form at the end of this season offers hope that he can still make a meaningful contribution in one of the world’s best teams

At 30-years-old he will want to be playing regular first-team football, but the fantastic performances of Mesut Ozil have limited the playing time available to the Brazilian. The only space in which he could fit into the side is on the right wing, a position that Angel Di Maria is yet to truly make his own. But Kaka lacks the pace of past years to be able to perform effectively in a position which demands speed.

Nevertheless, there are certain to be a number of clubs in England who would be interested in securing his services. Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea could all fit him with a regular spot, but perhaps not all in his ideal position.

Recent form suggests he is still a player worthy of a world class club, but he would need to be accommodated in an attacking-midfield position to be worth the lay-out. This would mean a switch in formation for Manchester United who tend to play a flatter midfield. Arsenal also lean towards a horizontal middle trio, but by pushing Alex Song and Mikel Arteta deeper they would create space for Kaka to slot in. Though Gunners fans may worry about the Song-Robin Van Persie link that proved so fruitful this season being broken.

He would fit into both Tottenham and Chelsea’s current formations, and could well be a shrewd acquisition for either club. Whether they will be willing to part with such a sum of money for a player in the latter stages of his career remains to be seen, but Claude Makelele was a huge success when he joined the Blues from Real Madrid at the same age, though his role in the side was far less energetic.

Clearly not all these clubs may take an interest in purchasing the playmaker, and a potential stumbling block could come in the fact that Real would no doubt look to recoup a large amount of the €68.5m that they shelled out to sign him. His injury record will also cast some worries over a potential transfer, but given the chance to shine in the starting XI at any club, Kaka still has the ability to make a difference.

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Ganso played a key role as Muricy Ramalho engineered Santos to their third Libertadores title in 2011, the combination of the young playmaker and virtuoso striker Neymar often proved deadly. The pair came through the youth ranks together and seem to have an almost telepathic understanding when they are both on song. However, it was not just in assisting the club’s star striker that Ganso shone. His goal was the decisive factor as Santos progressed past Club America in the last 16 stage last year. It gave the Peixe a vital away goal which they then defended with their life when they hosted the Mexican club in the second leg.

His success was duly noted by Brazil coach Mano Menezes and he placed Ganso with the immense responsibility of operating as Brazil’s number 10 in the Copa America. Given the hyperbole surrounding the playmaker, his performances throughout the tournament came as a huge disappointment as Brazil suffered an early exit at the quarter-final stage. It seemed he could not replicate his link-up with his Santos team-mate at the international level.

From that point, a steep decline in form ensued for the demure youngster. He struggled for consistency as various knocks and yet more international call-ups continued to interrupt his Brasileiro campaign. With qualification for the next edition of the Libertadores secured as reigning champions, the Peixe had little motivation to perform at their best in the league.

Whilst on international duty for Brazil in September last year, the Santos player suffered a thigh injury would keep him out until the start of the new year. With his below-par performances for club and country fresh in the memory, many began to question whether Ganso had the mettle to perform at the highest level. However, his performances in recent weeks have put to rest any doubts on the youngster’s future in the game.

Santos went into the first leg of the Paulista final against Serie B side Guarani knowing that they were just two games away from lifting their third consecutive Paulistao, a feat not achieved by any club since the days of Pele. The game did not start as expected. Guarani went about the first half with great organisation and discipline, and Santos were finding it hard to break down their resistance. Ganso was the man who changed the game when he provided a wonderfully measured finish from the top of the box just before half time.

He then played a pivotal part in the second goal as he broke beyond Guarani’s defensive line with intricate control as he received Elano’s pass. He committed the keeper, poking the ball away and Neymar was on hand to slot the ball into the vacant net. It was a game-changing performance and Ganso had unlocked the defence and set his team well on their way to a 3-0 victory.

Yet nowhere has his imperious been witnessed as devastatingly as it was in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores quarter-final against Bolivar. Having lost the first match 2-1 at altitude in La Paz, the Alvinegro put in a domineering performance to win 8-0 at the Vila Belmiro. Ganso was indomitable as he dictated the game in his typical languid, flowing style. His inexhaustible array of passing capitalised on a shambolic defensive display from the visitors and he also contributed two goals. A magnificent improvised backheel provided the first and his second came courtesy of a superbly executed free kick.

Ganso has benefitted from being able to operate as playmaker-in-chief for Santos, with Elano dropping deeper as part of a midfield three, typically alongside Arouca and Henrique. This has allowed him more freedom in the final third as his defensive duties have been reduced. He now has the liberty to roam between the lines in and pick apart the opposition with the odd well-weight through-ball or sweeping pinpoint pass to switch the play.

It comes as a far cry from his post-Copa America performances and he is now showing why he has been linked to a host of Europe’s best clubs.

There could not have been a better time for the 22-year-old to have rediscovered his best form. Having helped secure Santos’ third Paulistao in a row – matching a feat that no other club has since Pele guided the club to a trio of title between 1967 and 1969 – they now face one of South America’s most consistent club’s in the Libertadores quarter-finals in Velez Sarsfield.

Retaining South America’s premier club competition’s crown is not unrealistic either with Ganso is now showing why he has been linked to a host of Europe’s best clubs. If he can carry his best form into the Olympics this summer then he can push himself to the forefront of the elite team’s transfer targets. He has failed to rule out a move during the summer transfer window and should he make the switch before the 2014 World Cup, there will no doubt there he will be heavy competition for his signature.

With the greatest sporting festival in the World now less than 100 days away, those who speculated on buying tickets for the Olympic Football tournament now finally know who they will be watching when the competition begins on Wednesday 25^th July.

Apart from the novelty act of a Great Britain side and the chance to see Brazil and Spain there isn’t a great deal to get excited about. The other European representatives are the footballing powerhouses of Belarus and Switzerland, whilst double gold medallists Argentina are missing, Uruguay being the second South American representative.

The lack of a real box office draw will make the task of selling tickets even more difficult than it already has been. Football is the only sport in the entire Olympic Games which hasn’t sold out, and with the fixtures now released there are going to be some particularly hard sells.

The Team GB games could all go, particularly as all three of their games are part of a double header with the remaining Group A teams. Two matches for the price of one may well tempt fans to the matches, particularly once Stuart Pearce names his 18 man squad.

Brazil visit Cardiff (v Egypt, 26/7), Old Trafford (v Belarus 29/7) and Newcastle (v New Zealand 1/8) whilst Spain are at Hampden Park (v Japan, 26/7), St James Park (v Honduras 29/7) and Old Trafford (v Morocco, 1/8).

The hard sell comes for the remaining games. Those in the Midlands who may have fancied a trip to the Ricoh Arena have slim pickings to watch. Belarus v New Zealand is the opening fixture in Coventry and it doesn’t get much better after that, with the double header on 1^st August featuring Japan v Honduras and Senegal v UAE probably the pick.

After applying for tickets for a host of events in the initial ballot, all I received was tickets for one of the games at Wembley, so in the third round of sales I went for the first day at Old Trafford and have been rewarded with GB’s opening game against Senegal as part of a double header with Uruguay v UAE as the hors d’ouerve.

That match may well see a full house, but I can categorically guarantee that the match I go to at Wembley will not be watched by a capacity crowd and it’s here that the madness of allocating the largest venues to matches that don’t feature the top seeds comes home to roost.

On the 1^st August, the game scheduled to be held at Wembley was between the sides allocated positions 2 and 3 of Group B. That already meant that it wouldn’t be GB, Mexico, Brazil or Spain. The marketing men’s hearts must have shrunk when it became clear that the biggest stadium in Britain would be hosting Gabon v South Korea, a match that would struggle to fill Wimbledon never mind Wembley!

Either of those sides could be GB’s quarter final opponents should things go to plan for Stuart Pearce’s team, with Brazil a potential semi-final foe. If there is still home interest at that stage, then the attendances may rise. If not then empty seats may be the biggest contribution of the most popular sport in the world to London 2012.

Just the latest talent to derive from South America, 19-year-old Lucas is currently enjoying his breakthrough campaign and a big move to Europe is believed to boost his chances of featuring for his home nation at the 2014 World Cup which is to be hosted in his native Brazil.

Wanted by Inter Milan also, only for a deal to fall through at the last minute in the January window, Lucas has been taking an extensive course in English lessons and actually made his full Selecao debut at the Emirates Stadium in a friendly with Scotland last year.

Agent Wagner Ribeiro told Globo Esporte

‘I have to say that Inter, Chelsea and Manchester United have already been in contact with me about him’ (Metro)

Any such swoop for Lucas will cost however and it is believed that the midfielder who has a £66 million buyout clause won’t be sold for anything less than £20 million. But with funds available to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, this may not prove such a stumbling block, in a potential summer overhaul of the Blues.

If Lucas did plump for London he would be joining national team compatriots David Luiz and Ramires but Anderson also represents familiar company at Old Trafford.

There is no doubting that in the past two decades we have witnessed some fantastic sides, brilliant matches and individual performances that will live long in the memory and if you support Manchester United, you certainly have witnessed something of a golden period – with no fewer than 12 League titles that sees the Red Devils surpass Liverpool as the most successful side in England. Fergie has certainly had his challenges, notably in Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho, but has always managed to come back time after time to recapture their crown.

One of the great aspects of the Premier League, since its inauguration, has been the array of players plying their trade from all corners of the globe in English football, which has made the League richer for their presence within it. We have been privy to some of the very best players in the world, although it is fair to say we have witnessed some absolute shockers as well. It is fair to say that it is not necessarily down to their lack of ability, but for one reason or other their spell in England was simply a disaster.

This article is a celebration of the latter and the top 20 ‘waste of spaces’ that the Premier League has ever seen:

Click on Tomas Brolin to unveil the top 20

The shortlisting process was incredibly difficult, I could have easily assembled a catalogue of glorious goals and devilish dinks but alas I had to be ruthless. Each case in point highlights not only a crowning moment in the subject’s career but a defining landmark in the beautiful game. Enjoy.

Click on Dennis Bergkamp to unveil the top 10

Comment, rate and share your favourites with me on Twitter @theunusedsub

Penalty taking is considered a test of ones nerve and resolve. Like a modern day version of pistols at dawn the battle to see who crumbles first is both exhilarating and fraught with tension. Second guessing where the goalkeeper is going to dive and trying to work out from his stance where his weaker side lies. It’s a mental test of endurance like no other and if you’re lucky enough to come out smiling the feeling of success is sensational.

Right, enough of the romance before this turns into a soppy set piece love story. For every perfect dead ball there is an absolute howler of side splitting proportion. For every exquisite spot kick there is blunder that leaves you cackling and gasping for air. As wonderful as it is to witness flawless set pieces in all their glory you really can’t whack a good old fashioned mishap.

Skying a free kick out of play, tamely tapping a penalty into the welcome grasp of a goalkeeper and missing the ball completely are just some of the hilarious clangers included in this list.

So please make sure your mouth is free of any liquids and your stomach muscles are worthy of withstanding intense laughter. We aren’t prepared to foot the bill for medical costs or laptop repair. But do enjoy this hysterical compilation of some out of the ordinary set pieces from around the world.

Click on Chris Waddle to take you to Top Ten Worst Set Pieces

When we look overseas to see examples of our compatriots flourishing in other leagues we tend to be disappointed. With the exception of a handful of players such as Gary Lineker, Paul Gascoigne or David Beckham our players have left little impact on the minds of our continental brothers and sisters. Even during sixties when there were severely restricting wage caps on the English game there was hardly a mass exodus to more profitable climates. I think that Denis Law summed it up perfectly when he left Manchester City to sign for Torino in order to earn more money, he said: ‘I loved everything about being in Italy, except for the football.’ Clearly Law was Scottish but I think the sentiment rings true for most English players when they consider life abroad.

For that very reason it is refreshing to see Joe Cole not only playing well but also enjoying his football at French champions Lille OSC, even if he does still commute from London. The thirty-year-old has slowly been rediscovering the form that lead to him being so highly regarded in the dawn of his career. Drafted in on a loan deal to replace the Arsenal bound Gervinho in the summer, Cole has been dispelling myths on both sides of the Channel. For us: he is testament to the fact that Englishman can succeed abroad and you would like to think that to the French that the former Chelsea and West Ham man is using his impressive technique and elegant style to demonstrate that English football is not all speed and brawn.

But the significance of his season in France runs deeper than just his role as an ambassador for the English game. It invokes the old argument that perhaps more of our players should be encouraged to move abroad in order to help the international team, but is that necessarily the case?

No

You only need to look at the Spain squad to realise this isn’t true. Not only do nearly all come from the same league the Spanish side is made up almost exclusively from players from the country’s top two clubs. Clearly the Spanish national side consists of exceptionally talented footballers but so are many other national sides. What makes them such a formidable team is that they are exactly that – a team. Having the experience of playing with their national team-mates on a weekly basis is their core strength. You can just as easily look at the Brazilian or Argentinean national sides and see an equally impressive team on paper but what they lack is the cohesion and understanding to make them strong. Moreover, their sides are made up of players from a variety of leagues giving them experience playing against a variety of nationalities yet without that harmony they are ineffective. It might be a cliché but football is a team sport, and familiarity breeds team spirit.

Yes

The other way of looking at it however is that, whilst as a general rule you don’t want all of your international players in one league, it would be helpful for your players to have some experience of playing against a different style of football. How can our national side be expected to know how to break down, for example, the Italian defence if the vast majority of them have no experience of playing against a team like that. Also, whilst the Spanish national side are primarily based in Spain they do have a selection of impressive players such as Torres, Silva, Fabregas and Mata who have experience in other leagues. Therefore were they ever to be in a situation where there normal tactics were not working they would at least have the option of introducing players who were capable of playing in a different style.

The problem with both of these arguments is that there are external factors that need to be looked at. First of all it is possible for the English national team to achieve success despite a lack of overseas experience, but in order for us to be effective there needs to be a team spirit. The disagreements between factions in the English national side have been well publicised over the last few years and so even though our players might be familiar with each other they fail to act as a team. The other point is that if we are going to have all of players playing n the Barclays Premier League then we should appoint a manager who understands English football. Players may be able to adapt to the wishes of foreign managers, but not when that manager only gets a few weeks a year to work with the players. Ultimately there is little we can do to encourage our players to move abroad, subsequently the FA have to be the organisation to recognise the limitations of our squad and act accordingly. If that means bringing in an English manager then so be it.

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