The 2012 footballing year has come to an end. Several footballers won personal accolades for good performances while others had a torrid time on the pitch. In 2013 , we may not only hear of Messi, Ronaldo, Rooney or Aguero, as there are many footballers with the potential to take football world by storm.
1. Mario Gotze
At the age of 20, Gotze already has a few caps for his country, Germany. He is an attacking midfielder who plays for German champions, Borussia Dortmund and his impact this season has been huge.
Gotze has represented his club in 12 Bundesliga games and five games in the Champions League so far this season, scoring a few goals in the process.
He is a first team player and one who manager Jurgen Klopp and the club will be relying on in 2013.
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2. Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Henrikh is an Armenian footballer who plies his trade with Ukraine champions Shakhtar Donetsk. With much focus being on his club team mates Willian and Fernandinho, Henrikh has not been in the limelight.
However, his performances this season suggest that a great future lies ahead of him. Henrikh has played 17 matches in the Ukrainian Premier League and scored 18 goals.
Since the Ukrainian League does not resume till March 2, Henrikh will be well rested and we expect him to continue with his goal scoring heroics.
3. Bruno Martins Indi
Bruno was little known until he was picked by Louis Van Gaal for the Dutch national team.
A 20-year old defender who plays at Feyenoord, Bruno is one of the beneficiaries of the youth policy implemented by Louis Van Gaal in the national team once he took the reins after Euro 2012.
The defender made his debut for the Oranje team against Belgium in August and has gone on to play five more games. Bruno took over the left-back role from Jetro Willems, his fellow youngster, who was notably overwhelming during Euro 2012, and has since made it his.
2013 may be the year that he breaks into the limelight if he is able to play consistently for Feyenoord and the national team.
4. Mattia De Sciglio
De Sciglio has grown into one of the best defenders this season in the Serie A. A consistent starter for AC Milan at right-back, he has been the club’s standout defender so far and among the best players in a team that has been struggling.
At only 20 years old, De Sciglio has the world at his feet as he has enough time to develop into an even better player. 2013 may be the year that he becomes Europe’s best defender.
As the Rossoneri try to recover from a rather slow start to the season, De Sciglio will have to put in even better performances than those we have seen in the first half of the season.
5. Stewart Downing
Downing’s career at Liverpool has not been the best since his transfer from Aston Villa back in August 2011. However, under the management of 38-year-old Brendan Rogers, Downing seems to have rediscovered his spark and has recently put in some match winning performances, one being against Fulham where he had a goal and an assist.
His play has developed and he is becoming one of the surprises of the 2012/2013 EPL season.
2013 may see Downing become the most valuable Liverpool player.
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