* Our previous installments – Besk GK’s, best CB’s, best Full/Wing Backs, Best Midfielders.

Number 6 – Adrian Mutu, Fiorentina & Romania

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The Romanian who just turned 31 isn’t having the best of seasons in 2009-2010, playing only eight league games with La Viola (injury), scoring 2 goals. His Champions League record is a bit better with 3 goals in 4 matches. But Mutu, since moving to Fiorentina while his huge debt to Chelsea hangs above his head, has been one of the best players in the Italian league, scoring 48 goals since 2006. When you look past the models and the cocaine, he’s still a great player.

Number 5 – David Silva, Valencia & Spain

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The 24 year old Silva shares his birth date with Mutu (January 8th) is on of the more versatile players in the La Liga, with his ability to play on the left wing, or as a play-maker or even a supporting striker when needed. He has fantastic dribbling and passing skills, and although the stats might not show it, he builds up a lot of Valencia’s goals and chances. It seems that with Valencia’s financial problems and the abundance of bigger clubs with their eye on Silva, it wouldn’t be wild guessing that after the 2010 World Cup David Silva won’t be playing in Valencia anymore. On the other hand, they’ve being saying that about him for the last three years.

Number 4 – Franck Ribery, Bayern Munich & France

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Like Mutu, Ribery’s 2009-2010 season hasn’t been exactly a season to remember. He hasn’t played for Bayern since September, and I’m not so sure he’s keen on coming back from his injury with Van Gaal on the sidelines, although those are just rumors. Since the 2006 World Cup and his arrival in Germany a summer later, Ribery has been considered among the best in the world, whether he’s playing on either wing or behind the strikers. His ability to cut through the middle and create chances by himself and for others are pretty much unmatched in the Bundesliga and when he’s healthy, he’s the best player there. Like Silva, rumors point towards this being Ribery’s final year playing for Bayern. They also said that last year.

Number 3 – Andrei Arshavin, Arsenal & Russia

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Worst thing that could happen to Arshavin this season was Van Persie getting injured and Wenger switching him to the striker position. Arshavin can play very well pretty much all over the pitch, but playing as a striker isn’t his finest quality. He had a fantastic 2009 with Arsenal after arriving in London in January, with his four goal performance at Anfield still haunting Liverpool. His winner against them this year is too, probably. When Arshavin does get the freedom to play on the left (usually) and cut inside or behind the forwards, his ability to shake defenders and his knack for surprise shots make him probably Arsenal’s most dangerous player alongside Fabregas and Van Persie.

Number 2 – Lionel Messi, Barcelona & Argentina

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Probably the biggest debate in world football last season, carrying on to this year and probably more years to come – who’s better, Messi or Ronaldo? Well, last season Messi won it all, but it doesn’t mean he’s a better player. As hard as it is to choose, one must be first and the other second, and we here prefer Ronaldo as our best. Still, Messi is truly amazing – 63 goals in 122 league games, oh and let’s not forget 33 assists. He’s pretty much unstoppable one on one, and a lot of times two on one isn’t enough. The ball somehow sticks to his feet, even if he’s going forward fast. If he finally delivers for the national team in South Africa is still under question, with his form in the qualifiers being well below his Barcelona form.

Number 1- Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid & Portugal

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Like Messi, Ronaldo hasn’t exactly been his usual self when playing for the national team. He didn’t score in Portugal’s World Cup Qualifying campaign, relying on his friends to reach South Africa via the playoffs. But still, he’s the world’s most expensive player for a reason. Maybe more than a reason actually. First- the numbers – 66 goals in 101 league matches for United in his final three seasons, and 7 in 9 since his arrival to Madrid. He’s not like Messi, gentle and finesse. Ronaldo has incredible technique, but he’s much more stronger, and can shoot from anywhere, really anywhere with both feet. Describing him as a winger or SS wouldn’t be right. He can play on both wings, behind the strikers or be one himself. Only problem is, when you’ve got him, it’s his team. Suddenly when he gets injured, your team won’t be the same. He’s still worth the risk. Just ask Ferguson.

Karim Benzema – Lyon

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First it was Real Madrid, then Barcelona. Manchester United joined the chase, according to rumors, nothing official, after Cristiano Ronaldo was sold to Real. Arsenal, now with Adebayor getting closer and closer to AC Milan have also put their eyes on the French Striker. Lyon’s president, Jean-Michel Aulas has already said that if a big offer comes along, he’ll find it very difficult to refuse. Right now, a price tag of around 30 million seems to be the right amount, with Manchester United and Arsenal the leaders in the race.

Samuel Eto’o – Barcelona

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Joan Laporta, Barcelona’s president claimed on a radio station in Spain that Manchester City have made a very big offer for Samuel Eto’o, rumors have it at around 30 million Euros, and it’s been suggested that Barcelona won’t stand in his way to becoming the highest earner in soccer.

Eto’o is finishing his contract a year from now and it seems Barca are eager on moving him to a different club, and Eto’o himself seems to be on the same page with them on the matter. If he is sold, Barcelona are most likely to join the hunt for David Villa of Valencia. Speaking of Valencia -

David Villa, David Silva, Juan Manuel Mata – Valencia

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David Villa was almost the third galactico until negotiations stopped just before things were signed, sealed and delivered. It doesn’t mean Villa will be staying with Valencia, and the same goes for Silva and Mata. Villa is targeted by every team with cash and a need for goals, that means almost everyone. Real Madrid say they are off him but you never know, Barcelona seem to have gone to the top of the list of chasers after him with Eto’o very possibly moving to Manchester City and Liverpool’s Fernando Torres would love all three of them to join him in North England. Rafa Benitez might listen as well.

Valencia are in huge debts, and it’s very unlikely they’ll be able to hold to any of their stars unless some miracle happens to save them from bankruptcy.

Emmanuel Adebayor – Arsenal

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Although Milan have been chasing Wolfsburg’s Edin Dzeko for a quite a while now, it seems that they are slowly moving away to other targets as the German club seems reluctant to let the Bosnian striker leave.

Adriano Galliani, Milan’s Vice President has confirmed he has had talks with Arsenal about the possibility of signing Adebayor. Adebayor has expressed his will to leave Arsenal at times and Galiani suggested that if Wenger will approve of their approach towards Adebayor, Milan will continue with the negotiations. His price tag is believed to be around 25-30 million pounds.

Carlos Tevez – Manchester United

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Probably Manchester City, maybe someone else, Liverpool are a long shot. One things is sure – Carlos Tevez won’t be playing for Alex Ferguson and Manchester United next season.

After losing his starting place last season with Dimitar Berbatov’s arrival from Tottenham, Tevez says he realized his future is not at Old Trafford. In an interview on TV Tevez said that he felt he was being overlooked this past season by the Manager and blames Berbatov’s arrival as the main reason for him often starting the game on the bench. In 2007-2008 he started 31 games. In 2008-2009 only 18.

Tevez turned down a five year contract offer from United, and according to the media he’s most likely to play for Manchester City next season.