10. Yoann Gourcuff
Rated as the next Zenedine Zidane, Gourcuff has always been stuck in teams that have had a bigger name playing at their best. At AC Milan, he always had the likes of Kaka and Andrea Pirlo stealing the limelight. So he went back to Bordeaux and proved how good he was, to everyone. There is still scope for a lot of improvement and that will come about as he enters the “Juninho-role” at Lyon.
09. Miralem Pjanic
As footballers go, Pjanic has something special to offer. The Bosnian is a midfielder with extraordinary skill and fantastic vision. However, he continues to be one of those names that is sidelined when looking at the stars of today. He still has a long way to go but progress with Lyon is promising and he, along with Gourcuff, are already the backbone of a fantastic Lyon side looking to get to the next level.
08. David Silva
While Pedro and Fernando Torres were picked ahead of David Silva at the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament, David Silva will always be one of the most underrated players in world football. At the 2008 European Championships, Silva was brilliant and even with the likes of David Villa and Fernando Torres in full flight, Silva outshone them. However, his character and media-shy personality means that Silva never gets highlighted. His worth is coming out, playing with players who are clearly below his potential, in a Manchester City line-up. If he can replicate his Valencia form in England, there will be no holding back for this Spanish wizard.
07. Silveira Juan
An unassuming footballer, Juan is extremely un-Brazilian in his attitude. A hard worker who depends more on grit and determination, Juan hasn’t been blessed with the kind of Brazilian flair and skill that even someone like Lucio enjoys. However, you can always expect Juan to be there to block that shot or make that last ditch tackle, when dealing with a riff-raff of attackers. A steady rock at the back while those around him flounder and blunder, Juan is a quintessential defender and a strange product of Brazilian football.
06. Andrea Pirlo
He helped Italy win the 2006 World Cup and even today, he is one of the key players for Italy and AC Milan. While not a prolific goal scorer, Pirlo is an exceptional set-piece specialist as well as one of the key move creators from midfield. Without doubt, there are few players who can match his vision and precision when distributing the ball from the midfield. Even with the likes of Kaka in the team, Pirlo controlled the midfield and commanded the troops with fantastic passing and pin-point accuracy. His performance has waned in the last couple of years, pushing him down to sixth spot on this list.
05. Bastian Schweinsteiger
He led Germany from the front, at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and continues to be one of the most dominant players for Germany in the middle of the park. There is no doubt that Schweinsteiger is a leader and with the power and passion he has for the game, Schweinsteiger is surely one in the Lothar Matthaus mould. He has calmed himself down, over the seasons and can be often lost in a game because of his unassuming style of play. However, forego him at your own peril because this is one man who can change the way football is played today.
04. Ricardo Carvalho
Another player who keeps doing his job silently and never gets noticed, except from the likes of Jose Mourinho. Carvalho is a fantastic central defender and surely one of the best players in world football today. However, look at him and his style of play and you wouldn’t know it. With the demeanour of a kindergarten teacher, Carvalho goes about his job quietly, even scoring the odd goal every now and then. Truly one of the greatest defenders today, without a shadow of a doubt!
03. Michael Essien
There is no Chelsea, without Michael Essien! The player is absolutely magnificent, playing as a defender or midfielder, winger or wingback – as and when his team demands it from him. A player who truly sacrifices everything for his team, Essien is one of the rare breed of footballers who come in the Gennaro Gattuso mould. However, unlike Gattuso, Essien also has a fantastic ability to create moves and score some spectacular long range goals, getting him a high place on this list.
02. Daniele de Rossi
As far as midfielders go, they hardly come better than Daniele de Rossi. The player has everything – skill, experience, an unnerving dedication as well as boundless passion for his team. Having been a Roma player for his entire professional career, de Rossi looks well beyond his 27 years of age. He is a player who is guaranteed to give his all when he is out on the pitch. That Roma have struggled despite him is a sign of how poor the team is, overall. The 2006 World Cup win was a tribute to the Italian midfield and with Pirlo, de Rossi was the main guy for the Italians.
01. Sergio Aguero
There is no doubt that Sergio Aguero is another Mario Kempes in the making. He has it all, even at this young age, with a fantastic touch on the ball. If anything, Aguero lacks a bit of experience and with time, he has the potential to become one of the best in the world. Married into the house of Diego Maradona, Aguero is bound to keep his feet on the ground considering his father-in-law’s capability and stature in the world of football. His fantastic ability to find the net has rarely let him down and if that ability continues, he will become one of the most feared footballers and strikers in the world.