Potential forwards from the Premier League

Arsenal

Loanees

1) Winger - Anthony Jeffrey (18)

Jeffrey can be deployed as either a winger or a striker.[5][11] He is right-footed and has been described as a "pacy winger", as well as an "intelligent and quick" player.[2] He was previously named as "one of the top three fastest boys in the country", and considers his pace to be one of his key attributes.[4] During his time playing in Arsenal's youth team, he was used on the left wing — "testing opposition defenders with his searing pace".[

2) Winger - Serge Gnabry (18yrs old and 5ft 9, German)

Gnabry was born in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg to an Ivorian father and a German mother. In his youth, Gnabry was a sprinter but was forced to choose between football and athletics.
Gnabry has represented Germany at various youth levels, including the under-16, under-17 and under-18 level.[3] On 22 March 2013, Gnabry scored a brace for Germany U18s in a 2-3 defeat to France U18, the second goal a powerful strike from long-range.

3) Winger - Ryo Miyaichi (20yrs old and 6ft, Japanese)

Ryo first trialled for Arsenal in the summer of 2010, where he impressed the Arsenal manager. Arsène Wenger was convinced of Miyaichi's abilities and subsequently offered him a contract with Arsenal. On 31 January 2011, he joined the club and signed a professional contract. Wenger said: "We’re delighted that Ryo Miyaichi has joined us. He trialled with us in the summer and has raw ability which has attracted many clubs around the world". After returning on loan from Wigan Athletic, he made his debut on July 22,2013 playing against Nagoya Grampus and scoring a penalty in the 26th minute

4) Striker - Benik Afobe (20yrs old and 6ft)

He made his debut for the Arsenal Reserves at the age of 16 and scored 11 goals in 13 appearances for Arsenal's under 18 squad. He was part of the England squad that won the U-17 European Championship in May 2010.[3] He signed a professional contract with Arsenal in February 2010.

Transfer

5) Striker - Park Chu-Young (28yrs old and 6ft, South Korean)

In somewhat strange circumstances on 30 August 2011, English Premier League club Arsenal signed Park.[3] It is believed Chu-Young became aware of Arsenal's interest and departed his hotel room without finishing a medical with Ligue 1 club Lille OSC.[4] He was given the number 9 shirt.[5] On 1 November, Chu-young started his first UEFA Champions League match, a 0–0 draw against French outfit Marseille. He scored his first goal for Arsenal in the fourth round of the Football League Cup against Bolton Wanderers on 25 October 2011 giving them a 2–1 win.[6] He made his league debut for Arsenal as a substitute, 82 minutes into a 2–1 home defeat by Manchester United, on 22 January 2012.

On 6 March 2012, he made an appearance as a substitute for Theo Walcott in the Champions League, in the 3–0 win against Milan at the Emirates Stadium, though Milan won 4–3 on aggregate.

On 8 August 2012, it was confirmed that the striker had changed his squad number to 30, with new signing Lukas Podolski taking his previous number 9 shirt.[7]

 

Chelsea

Loanees

6) Winger/Striker - Victor Moses (22yrs old, 5ft 10, Nigerian)

Moses can play in a variety of positions, but in the first-team games he has taken part in so far, Moses has mostly played as a winger. Born in Nigeria, he has represented England at under-16, under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels, but opted to play for the Nigerian national team as opposed to being fully capped for England.
Moses made his full debut for Chelsea when he started the League Cup game against Wolverhampton Wanderers and scored his first goal after 71 minutes in a game that finished 6–0 to the Blues.[15] Moses started his first Champions League game against Nordsjælland. On 31 October, Moses was named Man of the Match of the match against Manchester United in the League Cup, a game Chelsea won 5–4.[16]

On 3 November, Moses scored his first Premier League goal for Chelsea in the match against Swansea City, which ended in a 1–1 draw.[17] Four days later, he scored his first Champions League goal for Chelsea against Shakhtar Donetsk; Moses replaced Oscar in the 93rd minute and headed in Juan Mata's corner with seconds left to secure a 3–2 win.[18] On 5 January 2013, Moses opened his scoring tally for the year with a powerful drive into the bottom corner whilst playing in the FA Cup Third Round against Southampton, as Chelsea came from 1–0 behind to beat the Saints 5–1.[19]

Moses scored his first Europa League goal for Chelsea in a 3–1 home win against Rubin Kazan,[20] and then his second in the reverse fixture a week later.[21] He continued his fine form in the competition by scoring his side's first goal in the 1–2 away win at FC Basel on 25 April.[22] He also scored in the reverse match against Basel when the Blues won 3–1 at home and secured their participation in the Europa League Final,[23] a match in which Moses did not feature but the Blues nonetheless won 2–1 against Benfica in Amsterdam on 15 May

7) Attacking midfielder / Winger - Kevin De Bruyne (22yrs old, 5ft 11, Belgian)

After a successful loan spell in the German Bundesliga with Werder Bremen, De Bruyne was linked with a move to stay in Germany with either Borussia Dortmund or Bayer Leverkusen. Incoming manager José Mourinho, however, assured De Bruyne he was a part of Chelsea's plan for the future, and the player officially was returned to Chelsea on 1 July 2013. De Bruyne's agent, Patrick De Koster, explained, "We didn't receive any guarantees, but that's normal in a club like Chelsea. It's up to him [De Bruyne] to prove, like he did in the last 18 months." [19]

On 21 July 2013, De Bruyne scored his first goal for Chelsea during a friendly game against Malaysia XI, but he injured himself in the process of scoring the goal.[20]

On 18 August 2013, De Bruyne made his competitive debut for Chelsea in the opening fixture of the 2013–14 Premier League season against Hull City, getting an assist for the first goal in the 2-0 win for Chelsea and receiving the man of the match award.

8) Striker - Romelu Lukaku (20yrs old, 6ft 3, Belgian)

Lukaku has always focused on his education, encouraged to do so by his parents, and did not want to transfer to Chelsea before he had his degrees at school. He speaks French, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, and English and understands German and is able to speak a little bit as well. Lukaku has stated that his childhood hero and biggest idol was Didier Drogba.

9) Striker - Islam Feruz (17yrs old, 5ft 4, Scottish)

Feruz moved to English Premier League club Chelsea in September 2011, after rejecting a professional contract at Celtic.[15] Because of "a flaw in the legal system" Chelsea were able to sign him for only £300,000 compensation. His contract was reportedly worth £2,500 a week.[16] He scored two goals in the 2012 FA Youth Cup first leg in April 2012 as Chelsea youth's went on to win the trophy for the second time in three years.

Feruz scored two goals in Chelsea's 6–0 win over Molde FK on 8 November 2012 in the NextGen Series.[17] He has had a rather successful run with the club; Chelsea's official website describes Feruz as "short but sharp with an electric turn of pace and able to get a shot in early."[18]

Feruz made his Chelsea first team debut against a Malaysia League XI on 21 July 2013 coming on as a substitute in the 32nd minute for Kevin de Bruyne but after half time he was replaced with Andre schurrle

Transfer

10) Striker - Demba Ba (28yrs old, 6ft 2, Senegalese)


Ba was born in Sèvres, Hauts-de-Seine, and is the sixth child of seven. He grew up in Saint-Valery-en-Caux, Seine-Maritime. He joined a youth club in Montgaillard in 1992, before playing for Port Autonome between 1999 and 2000, and then for Frileuse between 2000 and 2001.[3]

In 2001, Ba returned to Châtillon and played for Montrouge.[3] He played there until 2004, at which point he decided to concentrate on his football.[3] Later that year, after unsuccessful trials at Lyon and Auxerre,[3] Ba moved to the United Kingdom to seek a professional contract. He was recommended to Watford manager Ray Lewington through his friend Gauthier Diafutua, then a Watford player, but released shortly after Lewington's dismissal. Ba then spent a week on trial at Barnsley,[3] and returned to France after two more unsuccessful trials at Football League sides Swansea and Gillingham.

 

Everton

Transfer

11) Striker - Victor Anichebe (25yrs old, 6ft 3, Nigerian/Scouse)

Anichebe was born in Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria but moved to Liverpool aged one, his family originally living in Toxteth before settling in Crosby. He is a cousin of former professional football player Iffy Onuora,[2] Olympian Anyika Onuora and professional basketball player Chiz Onuora. He is also an Olympic silver medallist, competing for Nigeria in the 2008 Olympics.

12) Striker - Nikica Jelavić (27yrs old, 6ft 2, Croatian)

On 25 August 2012, Jelavić scored his first goal of the 2012–13 season in a 3–1 win against Aston Villa at Villa Park.[32] Jelavić scored his first two home goals for the campaign against Southampton in a 3–1 win, these goals were also his first at the famous Gwladys St End at Goodison Park.[33] Jelavić continued his scoring form in the next game against Wigan Athletic with a headed goal to make the score 1–1. Jelavić scored his next goal, the winner in a 2–1 win against Sunderland. His next goal came in stoppage time of a game against Tottenham Hotspur in a 2–1 victory at Goodison Park. Although Jelavić scored against Cheltenham Town in the third round of the FA Cup, he had to wait until March to find the net again in the league when he came off the bench to score a last minute goal in a 2–0 win over Manchester City.[34] His poor form led to Victor Anichebe being used as Everton's main striker for the second half of the season.[35] Manager David Moyes suggested the club's lack of a player who could score 15 to 20 goals a season was a major factor in Everton failing to qualify for European competitions.

 

Fulham

Transfer

13) Striker - Bryan Ruiz (28yrs old, 6ft 2, Costa Rican)

Bryan Jafet Ruiz González (born 18 August 1985) is a Costa Rican footballer who plays for Fulham in the Premier League. He is a right sided attacking midfielder[2] who can play as a second striker. He is captain of the Costa Rica national team.
On 31 August 2011, the last day of the Premier League summer transfer window, Fulham announced signing Ruiz for an undisclosed fee.[10] His début was on Sunday, 11 September 2011 at home to Blackburn Rovers[11] and he scored his first goal for Fulham in a 3–1 defeat against Everton on 23 October 2011.[12]

In the fixture against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium on 7 April 2012, Ruiz broke a bone in his foot, leading to a stretcher taking him off and him needing an operation, which sidelined him for 10 weeks.[13]
On 18 August 2012, Ruiz started Fulham's first Premier League game of the season, a 5–0 win against Norwich and assisted Mladen Petrić in scoring his second goal in his début match.[14] He finished the 2012–2013 season making 31 first-team appearances and scoring five goals.

Scored goals in Belgium and Holland....stalling at Fulham.

14) Striker - Hugo Rodallega (28yrs old, 5ft 11, Colombian)

Hugo Rodallega Martínez (born 25 July 1985) is a Colombian footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Fulham. Rodallega started his professional career with Deportes Quindío in 2004. An impressive first season with the club earned him a call-up to represent Colombia at the U-20 South American Championship in 2005, where he went on to set a new record for most goals scored in the tournament. A move to Deportivo Cali and his senior international debut followed later in the year before he moved abroad, signing for Mexican Primera División side Monterrey. A disappointing spell resulted in a loan move to Atlas before being transferred to Necaxa in 2007. In January 2009, he moved to Wigan Athletic for a fee of £4.5 million. After initially struggling at the club, he finished as the club's top goalscorer in his first full Premier League season. He scored 24 goals for the club, making him Wigan Athletic's all-time leading Premier League goalscorer.
On 12 July 2012, Rodallega signed a three-year deal with Fulham after the expiration of his contract at Wigan.[20] He scored his first Fulham goal to open the scoring against former club Wigan in a 2–1 away win on 22 September. He found the net for a second time against Newcastle United on 10 December 2012 at Craven Cottage, heading in from former Magpie Damien Duff's free kick. This reclaimed the Cottagers' lead and won the game 2–1, coming as a first win in seven for the whites.

Loanees

15) Striker - Marcello Trotta (20yrs old, 6ft 1&1/2, Italian)

Born in Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Italy, Trotta started his football career at Napoli and after four-years at the club, Trotta left Napoli to join Manchester City's academies at age 15.[2][3] The club would described him as not only one of the Club’s brightest young talents, but also with his imposing, skilful and ruthless in front of goal.[2] Trotta would leave Manchester City by signing a professional contract with Fulham in September 2009.[4]

Trotta made his first team début for Fulham on 27 January 2012 in Fulham's 4th round FA Cup tie against Everton at Goodison Park by replacing Danny Murphy in the 87th minute. Fulham lost the game 2–1.[5]

He made his Premier League debut in Fulham's away match against Bolton Wanderers on 7 April 2012. He was subbed on for Alex Kačaniklić after 88 minutes and almost scored a goal in the dying minutes of a comfortable 3–0 win for the Cottagers.[6] At the start of the 2012/13 season, Trotta would signed a new deal, that will keep him until 2015.

 

Liverpool

Loanees

16) Winger - Jordan Ibe (17yrs old, 5ft 9)

On 16 March 2013, Ibe was called up to the bench for the Premier League game at Southampton.[8] On 19 May 2013, Ibe impressed in his Premier League debut for Liverpool in the final game of the season, starting the match and assisting Philippe Coutinho for the only goal of the match against Queens Park Rangers. He was, however, substituted in the 63rd minute for Fabio Borini.[9][10]

On 13 July 2013, Ibe played the first half of Liverpool's pre-season friendly victory against Preston North End, scoring his debut goal for the club in the 37th minute. [11][12] He was included in Liverpool's pre-season tour, featuring in games against Indonesia XI, Melbourne Victory and Thailand.

For the 2013/14 season, it was announced that Ibe would wear the number 33 shirt, vacated by Jonjo Shelvey's departure to Swansea. He was an unused substitute for the opening league fixture against Stoke on 17 August. Liverpool won 1-0.

17) Striker - Fabio Borini (22yrs old, 5ft 11, Italian)

Fabio Borini (born 29 March 1991) is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League side Liverpool. He started his career at Bologna, before moving to Chelsea in 2007. In 2011, he joined Championship side Swansea City on loan, and eventually signed for Roma, before signing for Liverpool in 2012.

18) Striker - Samed Yesil (19yrs old, 5ft 11, German)

Yeşil was born in Düsseldorf, but grew up in Krefeld. He started playing football in local club CFR Links, aged just six and then he played for BV 04 Düsseldorf. At age of eleven he was offered trial at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, which he accepted. In 2010 he reached the final of German Junior championship, which his team lost 0-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt. Next season he scored 22 goals in 24 matches for B-Junioren (U17/U16) and was moved one level up.

Yeşil scored 57 goals in 71 matches in the Bayer Leverkusen youth teams between 2010 & 2012. Yeşil made 5 appearances for the Leverkusen first team in his breakthrough year of 2012-13

Scored 20 goals in 21 games for the German U-17 team and is currently on 8 goals in 7 games for the U-19s

 

Man City

Transfer

19) Winger/Striker - Scott Sinclair (24yrs old, 5ft 9 & 1/2)

Sinclair signed a four-year contract with champions Manchester City on 31 August 2012.[42] He was given the number 11 shirt for the 2012–13 Premier League season. He made his debut on 15 September 2012, playing 74 minutes of a 1–1 draw away to Stoke City.[43] On 8 May 2013 Sinclair had surgery on a blood clot in his shoulder. As a result he was ruled out for any remaining games, ending a disappointing debut season that finished with the winger only making 3 starts among a meagre 15 appearances for the club

Loanees

20) Midfield / Attacking Midfield - Emyr Huws (19yrs old, 6ft ish)

Born in Llanelli, Huws started his career with a five-year spell at Swansea City, before he was signed by Premier League club Manchester City in 2009.[2] He developed to become captain of the club's under-21 side.[3] He scored for City in the 2012–13 season of the NextGen Series youth tournament, in a 3–1 win over Fenerbahçe at Ewen Fields.[4] He joined Northampton Town of League Two on a three-month loan deal in October 2012.[5] He made his debut for the "Cobblers" on 13 October, in 3–0 win over Exeter City at Sixfields.[6] He received public praise from manager Aidy Boothroyd and captain Kelvin Langmead.

21) Attacking Midfield - Denis Suárez (19yrs old, 5ft 11, Spanish)

Suárez signed for Manchester City on 23 May 2011. Manchester City beat off interest from FC Barcelona, Chelsea and rivals Manchester United signing him for an initial fee of £850,000 that could rise by £2.75 million depending on appearances and performances.[1]

Suárez played in the 2011-12 pre-season friendly match against Los Angeles Galaxy, replacing Edin Dzeko in 88th minute. He also converted a penalty in the penalty shootout in the same game. He was an unused substitute in the League Cup game against Birmingham City. In the next round of the League Cup, he made his first competitive debut for the club by replacing Samir Nasri in the 67th minute in the 5–2 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers. On 17 May 2012, Suarez starred for Manchester City reserves against Manchester United reserves in Manchester Senior Cup, although Manchester City lost 2-0.[2] In 2012, he was awarded Manchester City's Young Player of the Year as voted for by the fans.

22) Striker - John Guidetti (21 yrs old, 6ft 1, Swedish)

Scored lots at Feyenoord in 2011-2012.

Guidetti has played 14 matches and has scored 14 goals for Sweden's various 'Under-19' national squads, including a sensational 4 goal flurry against the Netherlands' 'Under-19' World Cup team. Although initially considered to be beyond selection to play for the Sweden U21 team (who were leading their European Championship qualifying group at the time) in the June 2010 fixtures against Israel and Montenegro, Guidetti ultimately got his chance to play at this higher level as a replacement for the injured first choice striker Agon Mehmeti.[52] Guidetti accordingly took his place in the Sweden U21 team's starting eleven that manage to win away 1–0 against Israel.[53] Guidetti earnt his next international cap when he was included in the Sweden U19 team rather than the Sweden U21 team because according to Swedish 'Under-21' national team coach, Jörgen Lennartsson, they had even "greater need" for him back in the younger team, although he might very well feature in the Sweden U21 squad again in the near future.[54] Guidetti scored after just four minutes in his first game back with the 'Under-19' line-up against Poland.[55][56] After the Sweden U21 team suffered a surprise home defeat against Israel without Guidetti, John was recalled once again to play for this team in its decisive qualifying match against Bulgaria, where he created the winning and only goal for Sweden in a 1–0 victory.

Guidetti debuted with the Sweden senior squad in a friendly away to Croatia, coming on as a half time substitute.

His paternal grandfather is Italian and his paternal grandmother is half Swedish, half Brazilian.[58] Guidetti has lived in Kenya on two occasions during the time that his father, Mike, worked with a Swedish school project in Nairobi. Guidetti credits playing football with older children from the poorer slum areas of Kibera and Mathare Nairobi as an important step in his development on and off the field

 

Manchester United

Loanees

23) Winger / Attacking Midfielder - Jesse Lingard (20yrs old, 5ft 7)

Warrington-born Jesse Lingard has progressed through the ranks with United after being treated patiently by the coaches.
The forward has become one of the top English players at Reserves and Under-21 level and has enjoyed two seasons of success both personally and collectively. Proving he can handle the step up from Academy football after lifting the FA Youth Cup, the wiry attacker can play on the flanks or in his preferred central role, just behind the striker.
A clever and assured finisher, he is capable of mixing the spectacular finish with clinical, well-placed shots, he causes problems
for defenders with his direct running.
A hard worker who always tracks back for the team, he made an impression during the 2012 DHL tour and was on the bench for the Carling Cup ties against Newcastle and Chelsea. Later in the year, he joined Leicester on loan to obtain some first-team experience but returned to United in time to help Warren Joyce's side win more silverware.
Often asked to provide some creative flair with his dribbling skills, he will be striving to impress new boss David Moyes with the possibility of another loan move perhaps in the pipeline

24) Striker - Ángelo Henríquez (19yrs old, 5ft 10, Chilean)

On 21 August 2012, Manchester United announced that Henríquez had been granted a governing body endorsement which would allow him to register and play for the club.[8] His signing was confirmed on 5 September, and it was revealed that he would wear squad number 21.[9] Henríquez made his debut for United as he featured for the under-21 side and scored the final goal in a 4–2 win over Newcastle United.[10] After spending a year on loan to Wigan, Henríquez returned to Manchester United ahead of the 2013–14 season. In the final match of the club's 2013 pre-season tour against Swedish club AIK, he scored a 68th-minute goal to save a draw for United.[11]

25) Winger / Striker - Wilfried Zaha (20yrs old, 5ft 11)

Dazet Wilfried Armel Zaha (born 10 November 1992), known as Wilfried Zaha, is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Manchester United. Born in the Ivory Coast, Zaha made his debut for the England national team in 2012.

Transfer

26) Striker - Federico Macheda (21yrs old, 6ft 2, Italian)

On 24 January 2013, Macheda was loaned out to VfB Stuttgart until the end of the season.[42][43] The German club's sporting director Fredi Bobic announced that Manchester United promised Stuttgart an option of purchase.[44] But the German club did not use the option

27) Striker - Bebe (23yrs old, 6ft 3)

Tiago Manuel Dias Correia (born 12 July 1990), better known by his nickname Bébé, is a Portuguese footballer who currently plays as a striker for English club Manchester United. Abandoned by his parents at a young age, Bébé grew up in a homeless shelter near Lisbon. He began his football career as an amateur with Loures before joining Estrela in 2009. A year later, he was signed by Vitória de Guimarães but transferred almost immediately to Manchester United for a fee of about £7 million, despite manager Alex Ferguson admitting he had never seen Bébé play. Unable to make an impression on the Manchester United first team, he spent time on loan with Turkish side Beşiktaş and back in Portugal with Rio Ave

 

Sunderland

Transfer / Loan

28) Striker - Connor Wickham (20yrs old, 6ft 2 & 1/2)

He played youth football at Reading before moving to Ipswich Town in 2006 where he continued in the youth structure. He made his full professional debut for the club in April 2009. He has also played at various levels of international football, scoring the winning goal in the 2010 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship Final.

Despite his age, Wickham has already won a number of awards, both personally and within the England national youth set-up.

 

Spurs

Loanees / Transfers

29) Winger - Andros Townsend (22yrs old, 6ft)

Andros Darryl Townsend (born 16 July 1991) is a footballer who plays as a winger for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. He has represented England at under-16, under-17, under-19 and under-21 level

30) Attacking Midfield / Wide - Gylfi Sigurðsson (23yrs old, 6ft 1, Icelandic)

Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson (born 8 September 1989) is an Icelandic footballer who plays for Tottenham Hotspur as a midfielder. He is a specialist on set-pieces and possesses great long-range shooting ability.[citation needed] He was voted player of the season for two consecutive seasons for Reading in 2009-10 season and in 2010-11 for Hoffenheim respectively

31) Attacking Midfielder - Iago Falqué (23yrs old, 5ft 8 & 1/2, Spanish)

Born in Vigo, Galicia, Falqué began his career with La Liga club Real Madrid before moving to FC Barcelona in 2001, joining the clubs youth ranks. After seven years in the Barcelona youth academy, the young Spaniard was promoted to the FC Barcelona B team for a match. In his single appearance for the club, Falqué scored his first professional goal. Following his debut, Falqué was involved in a transfer negotiation, regarding heavy interest in the Spanish U-20 international, from Serie A club Juventus

32) Striker - Jermain Defoe (30yrs old, 5ft 5 & 1/2)

Jermain Colin Defoe (born 7 October 1982) is an English footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, and the England national football team.

Defoe began his career with Charlton Athletic, joining their youth team at age fourteen, before moving to West Ham United aged sixteen, and rising through the ranks. He made his professional debut for West Ham in 2000, and after a season-long loan spell at Bournemouth during the 2000–01 season, established himself in the West Ham line-up. After West Ham's relegation in 2003, a move to Tottenham in January 2004 soon followed, where Defoe played for 4 years before being sold to Portsmouth in January 2008. He spent one season at Fratton Park before returning to Tottenham in the January 2009 transfer window. He is currently the eighth highest goalscorer in Tottenham's history and the club's second highest goalscorer in European competitions. Defoe made his England debut in 2004 and to date has made 54 appearances, scoring 19 goals.[3]

33) Striker - Adebayor (29yrs old, 6ft 3, Togolese)

Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor (born 26 February 1984), known as Emmanuel Adebayor, is a Togolese footballer who plays as a forward for Tottenham Hotspur and the Togo national team. Adebayor previously played for Metz, Monaco, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Manchester City. He was voted African Footballer of the Year for 2008.[3]

Adebayor represented the Togo national football team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, the country's début, and to date only, appearance at the World Cup. In January 2010, Adebayor was one of the players involved when the Togo team's bus came under gunfire on the way to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, after which he retired from national team duty. In 2013 he returned to the Togo team for the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa, where he helped them to qualify for the quarterfinals. He is currently Togo's all-time top goalscorer with 27 goals.[4]

A towering striker, Adebayor is described as being "tall, skilful, strong in the air and with the ability to score and create."[5]

 

West Brom

Transfer

34) Striker - Shane Long (26yrs old, 5ft 11, Irish)

Shane Patrick Long (born 22 January 1987) is an Irish footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League team West Bromwich Albion and the Republic of Ireland national team. With Ireland he has participated in UEFA Euro 2012. He is known as "a powerful, no-nonsense striker."[2] He also played hurling for Tipperary in his early career.

Long began his football career at Cork City. He later moved to Reading where, among other achievements, he scored three goals in ten substitute appearances during his team's Championship-winning 2005–06 campaign, guided his team into the Fourth round of the FA Cup by defeating Liverpool in a third round replay match in 2010, and later won a player of the season award. He signed for Premier League side West Bromwich Albion in 2011 for a fee of £6m.

35) Striker / Winger - Peter Odemwingie (32yrs old, 6ft, Nigerian)

Odemwingie started off the new Premier League season well, converting a penalty in a 3–0 victory over Liverpool on 18 August 2012.[36] During West Brom's game on 15 September against Fulham, Odemwingie kicked out at Sascha Riether and was penalized with a red card; West Brom went on to lose the game 3–0, their first defeat of the season.[37] On 5 November 2012, Odemwingie scored a brace against Southampton, his second of the season coming from a shot that deflected off Maya Yoshida past Paulo Gazzaniga and his third a headed goal from a Shane Long cross.[38]

Odemwingie headed in the winner against Chelsea on 17 November, pushing West Brom to a 2–1 home victory, their sixth win from seven home games to start the season.[39] Later in the season Odemwingie scored against Aston Villa to make it 2–2 in the 83rd minute after West Brom had been 2 goals down at half-time in an enthralling match. On 25 January 2013, West Brom announced they had rejected a formal transfer request from Odemwingie.[40]

Odemwingie's future at West Bromwich Albion came under doubt when he launched a tirade against his club on Twitter, in addition to accusing them of "reaching into his pocket", reiterating his wish for a move elsewhere.[41] On 31 January 2013, he was reportedly seen outside Loftus Road in an attempt to sign for Queens Park Rangers, but was refused entry as no offer was accepted for him.[42][43] After initially being sent home from training on his return to West Brom, Odemwingie was later disciplined by the club for his actions on transfer deadline day and resumed training, while also publicly apologising for his behaviour

 

West Ham

Transfer

36) Striker - Ricardo Vaz Te (26yrs old, 6ft 2, Portugese)

Vaz Tê signed for then Championship club West Ham United on 31 January 2012, for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half year deal with an option for a third year.[19] Vaz Tê made his debut for the club, coming on as a 89th minute substitute for Carlton Cole in the London derby against Millwall on 4 February. The game finished 2–1 to West Ham United.[20] On 21 February 2012, Vaz Tê scored his first goal for the Hammers, in a 4–1 victory at Blackpool.[21] Nicky Maynard and Gary O'Neil also scored their first professional goals for the club.[21] Vaz Tê scored his first hat-trick for West Ham on 14 April 2012, in West Ham United's 6–0 home victory against Brighton & Hove Albion.[22] West Ham finished 3rd behind Southampton entering the play-offs against Cardiff City. They won the first leg at the Cardiff City Stadium 2-0 and the second leg 3-0 at the Upton Park, with Vaz Tê scoring the second goal of the second game. West Ham progressed to the play-off final with a 5-0 aggregate victory. In the play-off final at Wembley on 19 May 2012, Vaz Tê scored the winning goal in the 87th minute.[23] It was the 24th goal Vaz Tê had scored in the 2011/12 season.[3]

He was in the starting line-up from the beginning of the 2012-13 season scoring his first Premier League goal for West Ham in their 2–1 away win at Q.P.R on 1 October 2012.[24] In the very next game, on 6 October 2012 at home to Arsenal, Vaz Tê dislocated his shoulder, an injury which kept him out of the team for nearly 3 months.[25] Vaz Tê returned to the side on 29 December in an away game at Reading, he was brought on with 23 minutes remaining and his side down 1-0 and went on to miss a glaring opportunity to draw the match, as West Ham lost.[26] Sam Allardyce said it was one of the greatest ever chances to score in the Premier League and the Portuguese striker agreed, and apologised to the Hammers fans

 

Discuss.....