MARTIN KEOWN’S STARS TO WATCH
YAYA TOURE MAN CITY (left)
Age: 32 Position: Midfield CL games/goals: 58/7 SERGIO AGUERO is a match-winner and Vincent Kompany is immense but if City are to succeed in the Champions League then Yaya Toure is going to be absolutely vital. Last year he underperformed, particularly in Europe. He looked like he was hanging on in games and although he was happy to play when City had possession, he wasn’t interested in defending. Now he has the balance back in his game. He is protecting his defence and offering himself in attack. He is firing on all cylinders and if he’s really at it, he can provide the ingredient City missed last season.
GARETH BALE REAL MADRID
Age: 26 Position: Forward CL games/goals: 33/12 AT BARCELONA, responsibility is shared between Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar. But at Real it’s still all about Cristiano Ronaldo. I hope Rafa Benitez gives Bale more freedom because this is the tournament where he made his name. I’d love to see him play with the same abandon as he did in this competition with Spurs.
NEYMAR BARCELONA
Age: 23 Position: Forward CL games/goals: 22/14 WE ALL talk about Messi and Suarez but Neymar is an absolute nightmare to play against. The best players are those who can carry the ball and attack at speed and when Neymar cuts in from the left he drives at the heart of the opposition. As he matures he is just going to get better and better.
BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER
MAN UNITED
Age: 31 Position: Midfield CL games/goals: 93/13 HE WAS magnificent for Germany in the international break and he oozes class. He has tidy feet, can hit passes long or short and always has a solution when he is on the ball. The opposition always have huge respect for him and with such vast experience in Europe he can really help United control games from midfield.
ARTURO VIDAL BAYERN MUNICH
Age: 28 Position: Midfield CL games/goals: 27/9 VIDAL caught my eye at the World Cup with Chile and his versatility is hard to believe. This guy can play anywhere. He was excellent as a battling midfielder for Juventus last year but now Pep Guardiola has used him further forward in a midfield diamond for Bayern. But even in an attacking role, nobody will work harder to help defend.
JACKSON MARTINEZ ATLETICO M
Age: 28 Position: Forward CL games/goals: 24/13 ATLETICO have had an incredible list of strikers in recent years — Fernando Torres, Sergio Aguero, Radamel Falcao, Diego Costa — and Martinez could be next in line. He was a goal machine at Porto, scoring 92 goals in three seasons, he is strong in the air and can finish comfortably with either foot.