SoccerPlenty of young talent to watch at Confederations Cup

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Alexandre Pato - Brazil

At the tender age of 19, Pato is already a star in his home country and in Italy where he plays his club soccer with AC Milan. Carlo Ancelotti, the man who brought him to the San Siro, says of Pato: “He has an incredible shot and great speed”. In his first full season in Serie A, Pato scored 15 goals, just one behind his more famous compatriot Kaka and can only get better as he fully matures.

With the FIFA World Cup still a year away, Pato has the chance to force his way into coach Dunga’s plans with a strong performance at the Confederations Cup where he will be hoping to challenge either Robinho or Luis Fabiano for a place in the starting line-up.

Egypt - Mohamed Zidan

The Pharaohs are facing a striker crisis in South Africa, which could just play right into the hands of Mohamed Zidan. His more famous fellow countrymen, Ahmed Mido and Amr Zaki are both missing from the squad so the German-based Zidan has a chance to shine at the Confederations Cup.

Despite initial reservations over representing his country, Zidan tasted international success in 2008 as part of the Egyptian team, which defended the African Cup of Nations in Ghana. With quick feet and an eye for the spectacular, he will relish this opportunity, but whether he gets time to unpack his bag of tricks at this tournament remains to be seen.

Daniele De Rossi - Italy

A tough, uncompromising midfielder with a ferocious shot, De Rossi has the ability to be a mainstay of the Azzurri for many years to come. The Roma star is still only 25 years old, relatively young by Italian national team standards, but is already a veteran in Serie A and a World Cup winner from 2006.

A fine example of a two-way player who can defend to the last and offer support going forward, De Rossi is looking to make up for lost time in South Africa. His competitive spirit got the better of him in Germany where he was banned for four matches following a clash with Brian McBride though he did return as a substitute in the final. If he can keep his emotions under control De Rossi will be a key player in Italy’s engine room in 2010 and Brazil four years later.

Michael Bradley – United States

Being the coach’s son is not all it’s cracked up to be. Michael Bradley has had to emerge from the shadow of his father Bob and prove he really can play soccer. At age 21, Bradley junior has packed plenty into a short career including three clubs in as many countries and seen as a rising star on the USA national team.

Bradley is regarded as a powerful, holding midfielder but proved during his lone season in Holland he knows where the net is, scoring 16 goals before moving onto the Germany. Bob Bradley’s team will have to be defensively solid in South Africa, particularly against Brazil and Italy to have any chance of advancing beyond the first phase. Son Michael will have a critical role to play if the Americans are to do more than just make up the numbers.

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