The ten players who have boosted their transfer value in South Africa

Any manager looking for a bargain might have missed the boat

by Andy Brassell
26 Jun 2010 09:00:00


You know the drill at the World Cup - even if the incredible choice of global football on our screens means there are fewer surprise packages than before, this is still the tournament for augmenting transfer values, proving that the player we've seen perform week in, week out can hack it at the very pinnacle of international competition.

This is perhaps more vital than ever before for the transfer market in 2010, as football's economy (or agents, at least) look for something to give business a boost. Goal.com UK picks out the ten players from the group stages in South Africa who have given a hearty hike to their profiles - and their prospective transfer fees.....

Sami Khedira (Germany)

Estimated pre-World Cup value: £7m
Estimated post-World Cup value: £12m



This rangy 23-year-old midfielder joined Stuttgart at the age of eight, and played an important part in their surprise 2007 Bundesliga title win, though his obvious potential has not borne fruit at the rate some expected in the intervening period.

Khedira made his debut for the Nationalmannschaft less than a year ago in the friendly win over South Africa, but has been afforded a chance in this tournament in the wake of Michael Ballack's injury. His athletic, all-action style has been a feature of Germany's play and suggests a future move to the Premier League could work out well.

Gervinho (Ivory Coast)

Pre-World Cup value: £8m
Post-World Cup value: £14m



The tricky right-sider has long been linked with a move to England, so it was surprising to some when he plumped for a move inside France last summer, joining Lille for £6.5m. He has been a smash hit, scoring 18 goals from the wing in his debut campaign with Les Dogues.

Gervinho sparkled in his country's World Cup opener with Portugal, switching wings to great effect and drawing a couple of good saves from Eduardo. His relegation to the bench for the following game with Brazil was more a comment on Sven-Goran Eriksson's inherent conservatism than Gervinho's performance. The 23-year-old has proved his mettle at the top level and outshone his better-known team-mates.

Fabio Coentrao (Portugal)

Pre-World Cup value: £12.5m
Post-World Cup value: £20m



A surprise choice by Carlos Queiroz to fill Portugal's problem left-back spot ahead of the more experienced Duda. Coentrao was a left-winger before this season, but Benfica's incredible array of attacking options persuaded coach Jorge Jesus to play him further back, with excellent results. The 22-year-old, who made his national debut in the pressure cooker of the qualification play-offs against Bosnia, has arguably been the team's stand-out performer to date.

Since the World Cup began, Coentrao has been linked with every big name in European football - these have included Real Madrid, Juventus and Bayern Munich to name just three - with his dynamism, crossing ability and versatiltiy all appealing. The new contract he signed at the Estadio da Luz in October set his release clause at a whopping £25m, though a substantial offer could make Benfica think twice.

Andre Ayew (Ghana)

Pre-World Cup value: £2m
Post-World Cup value: £5m



The son of Ghanaian legend and former African Footballer of the Year Abedi Pele, Ayew spent last season in the French second tier, on loan to Arles-Avignon. He helped the club with the lowest budget in Ligue 2 to a shock promotion but will return to parent club Marseille next season, where his father made his name and his younger brother Jordan is also on the books.

A tidy left-winger with good delivery, the middle Ayew could do with adding a few goals to his game but was a major threat against Germany in the final group match, and is thriving on being an important player for Milovan Rajevac's side. His ability to rise to the occasion means Didier Deschamps could face a choice between exploiting Ayew's potential or cashing in while the going's good.


Alexis Sanchez (Chile)

Pre-World Cup value: £12m
Post-World Cup value: £20m



At just 21, the Udinese flyer had already convinced many Serie A watchers of his ability to go to the very top. His performances for Marcelo Bielsa's attractive Chile side have nevertheless been superb. Blessed with a rare combination of pace, balance, close control and awareness, Sanchez has been the wide player of the World Cup. According to Opta, he had completed more dribbles than any other player in the competition after the first two group games - eleven, in case you wondered.

Real Madrid and Lyon have long been sniffing around, but any hopes of them sealing a deal at anywhere near a reasonable price seem to be dead in the water. Another stellar performance in the second round against Brazil will have Europe's finest jostling for position.

Eljero Elia (Netherlands)

Pre-World Cup value: £8m
Post-World Cup value: £12m



Last summer's move to Hamburg was seen as a surprise by some, who expected Elia to follow the well-trodden route from the Eredivisie to the Premier League. Nevertheless he flourished early on, before the northern side's floundered amid internal chaos.

A classic, pacy, touchline-hugging left-winger, the 23-year-old might have expected more chances in this World Cup with Arjen Robben's convalescence, especially after his impressive cameo in the group opener against Denmark. Elia proved in that game to be a useful pinch-hitter, a role he could reprise deeper into the competition. His style - and Hamburg's lack of European football next season - suggests that he will make that move to England sooner rather than later.

Park Chu Young (South Korea)

Pre-World Cup value: £4m
Post-World Cup value: £7m



Having just completed a successful second season in Europe with Monaco, Young has been linked with a move to England, Spain or Germany for some months. The soon-to-be 25-year-old scored at a near-one-in-two rate in Ligue 1 last season, but it is his versatility that makes him an attractive prospect.

Nominally a striker, he has the vision to be effective in deeper areas, so is often used as a '9-and-a-half' or even out on the left. After recovering from his unfortunate own goal in the game with Argentina, it was Young's strike against Nigeria in the final group match which eventually clinched qualification. His stock is continuing to rise as dark horses South Korea impress in the competition.

Valter Birsa (Slovenia)

Pre-World Cup value: £4m
Post-World Cup value: £8m



A key figure in Auxerre's shock Champions League qualification, Birsa has brought the confidence gleaned into the World Cup, where Matjaz Kek's side came agonisingly close to qualification for the second round. Their playmaker has been a key figure in this, as authoritative from open play as he is from set-pieces.

With a left-foot that you could use to open a tin of baked beans, the 23-year-old could be said to be among the first to truly master the Jabulani, scoring a majestic long-ranger against the USA in Johannesburg. His range of passing is notable, and his performances against physical opponents in South Africa - not to mention in France during the day job - shows this elegant midfielder can put up with the rough stuff. Modest Auxerre will struggle to hang on in the face of substantial offers.

Madjid Bougherra (Algeria)

Pre-World Cup value: £4m
Post-World Cup value: £6m



The 27-year-old centre-half is a latecomer to the top-level game, but showed his mettle as one of the few bright lights of Rangers' disastrous Champions League campaign last season - and no little skill, as showcased by his fabulous solo goal against Stuttgart in the same competition.

As one of the Glasgow club's most saleable assets, he has frequently been linked with a move away from Ibrox to ease the club's financial worries. This could be the right time for them to cash in. 'Magic' has been a welcome constant in a typically-combustible Algeria set-up, and was outstanding in the highlight of their campaign, the goalless draw with England.

Diego Perez (Uruguay)

Pre-World Cup value: £2m
Post-World Cup value: £4m



At 30, Perez may seem to have missed the boat in terms of a really big move. This rugged defensive midfielder has, however, been outstanding in Uruguay's qualification for the last 16. His ball-winning prowess and tactical awareness has been instrumental in Oscar Tabarez's team attaining of perfect defensive record in the group.

He has experience in a physically-demanding league, having been brought to Monaco in 2004 by Didier Deschamps. Perez's priorities are clear - in six seasons in the Principality, he has scored just twice. His leadership qualities and reliability make him a potential bargain, though as the current recipient of a tax-free salary, it would take a substantial wage package to persuade him to jump ship.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2890/world-cup-2010/2010/06/26/1995106/world-cup-2010-the-ten-players-who-have-boosted-their

but would a top euro club buy a 30+ defender no matter how good?

He's still got another 3 good years in him (maybe 2 at a top club). The experience and leadership he would bring is invaluable, he performs week in week out against top opposition in the EPL.

He's still got another 3 good years in him (maybe 2 at a top club). The experience and leadership he would bring is invaluable, he performs week in week out against top opposition in the EPL.

Holman
ozil
donnavon
keisuke honda

Edited by mvfcarsenal16.8: 26/6/2010 06:37:30 PM

Luis Suarez
Winston Reid
Carl Valeri
Matias Fernandez

leading goalscorer ffs and it was rumoured to only be 8-12 million quid... it'd have to be 20+ if he wins the Golden Boot which is a decent chance now with them a good shot at the semis.... would go from decent unknown quality to world class striker in this tournament

Still has to prove himself outside of the Eredivise, until he does that he isn't world class.

You can add to that list Ryan Nelsen, cant say enough about him, his organization of the defense and his ability to read the play is world class. I would be surprised if a top European side does not make a play for him, not that Blackburn would let him go.
If I had to pick a world team to play for my life he would be the first picked.

Blackburn Rovers skipper Ryan Nelsen was only "40 per cent fit" to play against Paraguay, in a game that ended in a goalless draw

"I'd been throwing up and had diarrhoea for the last few days, I haven't eaten for two days, I just can't eat," Nelsen said,

Still has to prove himself outside of the Eredivise, until he does that he isn't world class.

Still has to prove himself outside of the Eredivise, until he does that he isn't world class.

Lucas Barrios
Keisuke Honda -
Mark Paston - ok but not Gordon Banks like in a team that was defence-heavy.
Luis Suarez - yes
Brett Holman - yes
Matias Fernandez
Maxi Pereira

Still has to prove himself outside of the Eredivise, until he does that he isn't world class.

so winning the golden boot at the world cup wouldnt be enough to be classed as world class striker?

He hasn't won it just yet.....

no he hasn't but the original statement was that if he did win the golden boot his value would be much higher.