Marek Hamsik - Players to star in South Africa
Written by James Beckett Saturday, 05 June 2010 23:30
Slovakia are one of several teams that will see qualification from their group as a very successful tournament, but if they are to qualify from Group F, Slovakia will need there star man Marek Hamsik to be on top form in South Africa.
Hamsik is the key man of the team and will be well aware that his country's expectations ride on his shoulders. But if he can replicate the form that he showed in qualifying, he will no doubt thrive under the pressure.
Hamsik plays his club football with Serie A side Napoli, and has earned a reputation as one of the most exciting attacking midfielders in Italy. He has been Napoli's top scorer in two out of the last three seasons, and his displays are quickly attracting interest from around Europe.
Napoli have reportedly slapped a £25 million price tag on Hamsik, and it wouldn't be at all surprising if this increases after the World Cup, because in Hamsik they have a player who could go on to become one of the World's best.
He is a player very much in the Pavel Nedved mould, somebody who can do something special, create something that nobody else would be able to create, and Hamsik himself admits that Nedved is a role model to him. But in truth Hamsik is better physically then Nedved, Hamsik is a powerful 6ft plus midfielder, where as Nedved was always seen as a little lightweight.
But Hamsik's technique doesn't suffer because of his height, and the fact that he is learning his trade in Italy will only help his intricate game improve further. It would appear that all the attributes are there for Hamsik to progress to the top level.
At 22 Hamsik is already the star of his national team, and this shows the maturity of him. But Hamsik is a clever young footballer, and he will know that the World Cup is an opportunity to showcase is talents to the world. He will know that if he wants to fulfil his potential he will have to move away from Napoli, and one way to do that will be to star in South Africa, personally I have no doubts that he can.
John
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... Marek Hamsik was born in Banka Bystrica, in what was formerly Czechoslovakia on the 27th of July 1987, but plays his club football in Italy. As a 17 year old Brescia took a chance with the midfielder but it was not long before the bigger Italian club’s came sniffing round and Napoli shelled out close to £5m to secure his services on a five year deal. No doubt they are pleased they did as this talented flair player has grabbed 30 goals in just over 100 games for Diego Maradona’s former club. Not just his goal return but the manner in which he plays, with a real swagger, have marked him out as a key player for club and country and not too dissimilar to the player’s own hero Pavel Nedved. Former Torino boss Walter Novelino has said that he would prefer Hamsik in his team to Ronaldinho. Novelino said: “The Napoli man is skilful and very cheeky on the pitch and has a real talent.” Hamsik also has a decent strike rate for his country Slovakia with 8 goals in 30 appearances although his contribution in qualifying was a solitary effort in the home draw against the Czech Republic. This is probably a vaguery and it is likely that he will again be a chief threat for his country in the tournament. At 6ft tall and very athletic Hamsik is very much in the mould of current footballers who need to be incredibly fit to cope with the modern demands of the game, however one thing that will never change in the game is the need for those with natural talent and an ability to express themselves and Hamsik fit this bill completely. |
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