Five players that caught my eye this week
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by Foolsgold
Nihat Kahveci, Villareal
Apparently I'm behind the times on this guy, but I'm glad I finally caught up with the rest of the world. For a midfielder, the Turkish International is a goal-scoring machine. He began his career with Beşiktaş J.K., where he scored 28 goals in 114 matches, then moved on to Spain, signing with Real Sociedad in 2002. In San Sebastián, he improved upon his impressive scoring rate, netting 57 times in 115 total appearances. He then signed with Villareal on a Bosman in the Spring of 2006. Unfortunately that following November he suffered a major knee injury and was forced to sit out almost the entirety of the 2006-07 season. He's now apparently back to his former self as these goals against FC BATE in UEFA action this past week attest.
Andrei Arshavin, Zenit Saint Petersburg
Considered one of the best players in Russia, Arshavin has been winning accolades left and right for his play since his debut in the Russian Premier League in 2000. The 26-year-old won best right midfielder by Russian sports daily, Sport-Express, as well as best second striker from that same newspaper in both 2004 and 2005. In 2004, he added the Player of the Year award from Soviet Sport daily newspaper as voted by their readers. Finally, last year he was voted Russian player of the year by Sport-Express, Soviet Sport, and the Russian Football Union. He is also a staple on the Russian National side, where he has netted 7 times in 26 appearances. Why do I get the feeling he'll be headed to Chelsea soon? Here's a video of his nasty goal this week against Standard Liege.
Boubacar Sanogo, Werder Bremen
The Ivory Coast International's journey to the Bundesliga started with Siroco FC in his native country. After impressing scouts from Tunisian side, Espérance Tunis, he signed on with them where, when he got to play, was nearly unstoppable netting 27 times in 39 appearances. From there he transferred to the United Arab Emirates, where at Al Ain FC he scored 43 goals in 54 matches and helped them win the AFC Champions League in 2003. Soon suitors from second-tier Europe leagues came calling and Boubacar was transferred to FC Kaiserslautern, where he gained the attention of Bundesliga sides by scoring 10 goals in 24 matches. After just a year, Kaiserslautern sold him to Hamburg SV, but his first and only season there was full of disappointment. He scored only 7 times in 36 matches and was then sold to Werder Bremen. Since joining the Bremen side, he's returned to form including scoring this goal recently against Real Madrid.
Petter Andersson, Hammarby IF
I'm sure if I knew how to read Swedish I could tell you more about the 22-year-old Swedish International, but all I know is that he plays midfield for Hammarby IF and if these two goals tell me anything, he appears to be a bad ass.
Charlie Adam, Rangers
The son of a former professional player in Scotland, the 21-year-old Adam appears to be a player on the rise. The left winger signed with the Rangers in 2003, but after a year of being a squad player, was sent out on loan to Ross County for the 2004-05 season. The following year he was on-loan to St. Mirren where he scored 5 goals in 29 appearances. He has been a regular with Rangers now since 2006 and has also earned a call-up to the Scotland National side. His knack for scoring impressive goals including this one versus Stuttgart this past week certainly isn't hurting.
Originally posted here
