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Six English signings to watch Posted: Sunday August 18, 2002 5:24 PMLONDON (Reuters) - Despite a relatively quiet transfer market in England this close season, several premier league clubs made significant signings. Reuters takes a look at six players to watch out for: --- Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United) The tag of being the world's most expensive defender is unlikely to faze the 23-year-old from Peckham, whose move to Old Trafford from Leeds in July has left United 30 million pounds (US$45.79 million) lighter. Ferdinand probably added 10 million pounds to his price tag over the summer with his authoritative displays in the England defense at the World Cup finals. The former West Ham prodigy has added consistency and pragmatism to his natural ball-playing skills in the past year and United manager Alex Ferguson believes Ferdinand can be the bedrock of the club's defense for the next decade. Similar in playing style to United's ageing French defender Laurent Blanc, England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will be among those hoping Ferdinand can forge a partnership with fellow World Cup squad member Wes Brown at the heart of United's defense. ---- El Hadji Diouf (Liverpool) The peroxide blonde forward caught the eye with his dazzling skills for Senegal at the World Cup finals, even though he did not manage to score in the African champions' shock run to the quarterfinals. The mature 20-year-old cost Liverpool 10 million pounds from Lens and will need time to settle at Anfield where he will be helped by the arrival of compatriot Salif Diao. A gifted runner who likes to roam across the pitch with the ball at his feet, Diouf can cause chaos in opposing defenses with his pace and eye for goal -- he has scored 13 times in 26 Senegal appearances. Emile Heskey and Michael Owen are still Gerard Houllier's most likely starters in attack, so Diouf will probably be handed a role on the flank initially. ---- Pascal Cygan (Arsenal) Signed from Lille for 2.1 million pounds, Cygan faces the daunting prospect of trying to replace long-serving Arsenal captain Tony Adams, who has retired. It will not be easy for the 28-year-old who has yet to break into the French national team but impressed in the Champions League for Lille last season. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger bought Cygan for his organizational ability and the fact that unlike his two rivals for a place at the heart of the Arsenal defense -- Martin Keown and Sol Campbell -- he is left-footed. Cygan should settle quickly into Wenger's double-winning squad, which maintains its distinctly French flavor. ---- Nicolas Anelka (Manchester City) After ultimately unsatisfying spells with Arsenal, Paris St Germain and Liverpool, Anelka steps down a level at Kevin Keegan's newly promoted City side. Consolidation is what the club needs, especially with their move to the Commonwealth Games stadium awaiting next season, but in Keegan and Anelka they have brought in two of the most volatile characters in the game. A deadly finisher on his day with searing pace, Anelka has plenty to prove after being left out of France's World Cup squad. Whether his team mates at Maine Road have the ability to provide enough chances for the 23-year-old is a different matter and Anelka's volatile temperament means the 13 million pounds Keegan paid Paris St Germain represents a major gamble. ---- Jay Jay Okocha (Bolton Wanderers) Signing the Nigerian World Cup midfielder was another big coup for Bolton, who last season secured the services of experienced French World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff. At his best, Okocha is one of the finest midfielders in the world who can run a game single-handedly and his signing is a signal of intent by Bolton manager Sam Allardyce, who is assembling a squad capable of holding its own this season. The 29-year-old Nigerian retired from international duty after the World Cup but he is far from over the hill. If Okocha settles in England, his role as a provider of goals should enable Bolton to raise their sights above mere survival this season. ---- Massimo Maccarone (Middlesbrough) Some sensational displays for the Italian under-21 side caught Middlesbrough's eye last season, and they have invested a club record 8.5 million pounds to bring the former Empoli striker to England. Fast and mobile, Maccarone possesses a natural eye for goal and ruthless finishing ability. Maccarone made a big impression on England last season. He won the penalty that helped Italy beat England 2-1 in a friendly in April, the day after scoring the under-21 side's goal in a 1-1 draw with their England counterparts. He then struck both goals, including a stunning winner, as Italy beat England 2-1 at the European under-21 championship in May. Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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