still see his youth and inexperience, says Río. There have bee

GOALKEEPER Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich & Germany) – There is no longer any doubt in the discussion about the worlds best goalkeeper. Neuers performances may still reward him with a Ballon dOr come early January and although that honour would make a mockery of the award, whatever place he finishes should take nothing away from how brilliant the German goalkeeper was in 2014. The performance against Algeria, in particular, at the World Cup will be one that will be in books for years to come with the Bayern stopper giving a clinic in the sweeper-keeper role. -- DEFENDERS Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich & Germany) – The game has produced much fewer unsung heroes than Lahm. Now on the path to going down in history as one of the all-time greats and he finally got the spotlight he so deserved when he lifted the biggest cup of all in Brazil. Used by Pep Guardiola and Joachim Low in midfield regularly in 2014, but both have needed him at right back, where he eventually became a World Champion, and was part of a double act on that side that absolutely torched Marcelo in the destruction of Brazil in the semi-final. Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid & Uruguay) – Make no mistake, Godin was a true pleasure to watch as a defender in 2014 and now has a legitimate claim to being the best central defender in the game, yet his year will be remembered for three big headers in the opposite box. One of the biggest stories of the year was his side capturing the La Liga title and his goal against Barcelona on the final day of the season secured that title. A week later he looked to have won Atletico the Champions League, again heading the team into a deserved lead, only to watch Real Madrid power past them late in the tie. At the World Cup, in the game people will remember for the Luis Suarez bite, another headed goal from Godin sent Uruguay into the last 16 and knocked out the favoured Italians. Javier Mascherano (Barcelona & Argentina) – Lionel Messi scored most of the goals but, arguably, the most consistent performer for the second best team at the World Cup was their former captain. Mascherano was magnificent at the heart of central midfield, a position he is just as comfortable in as centre back, where he is used predominantly for Barcelona. His performance against Bastian Schweinsteiger in the final was wonderful to see as two genuine world-class complete midfielders went head-to-head and controlled much of the game. David Alaba (Bayern Munich & Austria) – Another player who continues to get better and better under Guardiola. Not content in mastering his true position, as left back, Alaba has often been deployed in central midfield and is ideal for a true fluid system employed by Pep. Glides with the ball when in possession and is never intimidated to push boundaries with his responsibilities. Still only 22, could be one of the games best players this time next year. -- MIDFIELDERS Koke & Gabi (Atletico Madrid & Spain) – One of the most remarkable title victories in many years should not be forgotten because it took place in a World Cup year. There were many heroes as Atletico toppled the two giants of Spanish football but the midfield duo of Koke and Gabi were at the top. Surprisingly, particularly in the case of Koke, Diego Simeones side ended 2014 with both of them still in their possession and the pair have maintained their excellent form this season. Koke is the next in line in a long list of intelligent ball treasurers created in Spain and could play a major part for the national team over the next decade. Gabi, at 31, is nine years older than his teammate and had the year of his life, guiding his hometown team, as captain, to incredible heights. His performances against Barcelona standout and his remarkable ability to press high and disturb Sergio Busquets while maintaining his defensive responsibilities was a joy to watch. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid & Germany) - Kroos will be forever grateful for Gonzalo Higuains miss in the World Cup after a horrendous error but was magnificent so often before and after that moment for clubs and country. He forced Germany to change into a true 4-3-3 team with his consistently high performances, pushing a more No. 10 player like Mesut Ozil out wide, and allowing the World Cup champions to keep the ball better and press intelligently as a trio. He was one of the best players on the pitch in one of the truly great performances in the history of the game when Germany crushed Brazil 7-1. Once home from Brazil, he moved to Spain to continue winning trophies with Real Madrid. -- FORWARDS Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich & Netherlands) – It was a fitting end to 2014 for Robben when he scored the games only goal for Bayern against Mainz before the Bundesliga break. It was a goal that also put him in the middle of a remarkable stat. In the six-and-a-half seasons he has had with the German giants he has now scored 65 goals, while the team has conceded just 64 when he has been on the field. Robben has been sensational for club and country in 2014 and was the catalyst for the Netherlands in a superb run to third place at the World Cup, highlighted by a 5-1 win over Spain where he scored two outstanding goals. At 30, playing under Guardiola, Robben is now at a consistent level that he has never reached before in his career. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid & Portugal) & Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina) – We should all consider ourselves extremely fortunate that the game we love saw the best two players, by some margin, end the year still in a different class to their peers. With more and more games being forced on them, there will be a year coming soon where at least one of these players will struggle a lot with injuries but at the moment we should be thankful thats not happened for a long stretch of time. Both were magnificent in the games truly greatest competition, the Champions League, where the sport is played at the highest level. At the World Cup Messi came very close to reaching the peak and his miss in the 47th minute may haunt him, but other than that moment it is hard to look at him as to why Argentina eventually didnt triumph. Ronaldo had even worse talent around him than Messi in Brazil and was never fully fit. At club level they have been fantastic and end the year still as the games best players by some distance. -- SUBS Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea & Belgium) – If Neuer is the best number one in the world, the Chelsea man is the second. Courtois was absolutely brilliant in Spain leading a backline to the league title and Champions League final and continued that excellent form at the World Cup for a very organized Belgium team. He looks settled already in the Premier League where he could likely play for the next decade for Chelsea. His decision making is exemplary and he is the best in the world at coming out and commanding crosses into his box. Luka Modric (Real Madrid & Croatia) – Has been one of my favourites for many years and he is starting to get the deserved recognition that has come his way – by some. He was left off the 23 man shortlist by FIFA for the Ballon dOr when he was unquestionably one of the best midfielders in the game this past year. A deep-lying playmaker with a sensational range of passing, the former Spurs man is almost the complete midfielder and really showcased this the moment he got his chance to start regularly for Carlo Ancelotti after Sami Khedira got injured over a year ago. James Rodriguez (Real Madrid & Colombia) – The newest modern day Galactico who had a true World Cup to remember. It was a breathtaking opening two weeks to Brazil 2014 and the Colombian was the grandest of all entertainers with majestic passes and sensational goals, scored with both feet and his head. A great, new ambassador for the game with the enthusiasm he shows on the ball. Cheap Jerseys 2020 . The hard-serving 22-year-old from Thornhill, Ont., became the first Canadian to be ranked in the Top 10 on the ATP World Tour thanks to his runner-up performance at Rogers Cup in Montreal. Fake Jerseys 2020 . Napoli beat high-flying Hellas Verona 3-0 to keep up the pressure on the top two while AC Milan had another disappointing night as four goals from teenage forward Domenico Berardi saw relegation-threatened Sassuolo come back from two goals down to win 4-3. http://www.jerseyscheapcustom.com/ . LaQuinton Ross scored 17 of his 20 points in the first half, hitting his first four 3-pointers, to send No. Wholesale Authentic Jerseys . Bowditch, the 30-year-old Australian seeking his first PGA Tour title, shot a 4-under 68 to reach 12 under at TPC San Antonio. Matt Kuchar and Andrew Loupe were tied for second. Kuchar shot 65, and Loupe had a 70. Custom Jerseys China . When New Zealand finally held on for an 8-7 win, France No. 8 Imanol Harinordoquy collapsed to the ground, having given every drop of energy he could muster, and lay prone as All Blacks danced around him in celebration. Few critics had given France any chance, but coach Marc Lievremonts team rallied from 8-0 down and came within one kick of taking the lead with 15 minutes remaining, only for flyhalf Francois Trinh-Ducs 49-meter effort to drift wide.Manchester City want to sign Athletic Bilbaos Aymeric Laporte this summer, according to Sky sources. The French defender looks a good fit for Pep Guardiolas Etihad Stadium revolution, writes Nick Wright. Pep Guardiola counts Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa as one of his biggest influences so perhaps it is not surprising that he shares his idols admiration for Aymeric Laporte. The French centre-back was schooled by Bielsa as a teenager at Athletic Bilbao, and Guardiola is eager to continue his education at Manchester City next season.Sundays 2-2 draw with Arsenal showed why the incoming manager has identified central defence as Citys most pressing area in need of attention. This season they have conceded more Premier League goals (40) than in any of the previous five, with Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala struggling to meet expectations and Vincent Kompany repeatedly falling victim to injuries. Major changes are required, and while Evertons John Stones is among the names to have been talked up, Laporte appears to be the priority for Guardiola. Citys sporting director Txiki Bergiristain has already flown to Bilbao to discuss the deal with Athletic, and reports in Spain suggest City are ready and willing to pay his £39m buy-out clause. Laporte on City rumours Aymeric Laporte denies he has agreed to join City but Sky sources confirm he is a target. It is a huge sum for a 21-year-old still recovering from a broken leg suffered playing for Frances U21s in March, but he is due to return in August and the feeling in Spain is that he is worth the investment. Laporte has developed a burgeoning reputation over the course of four seasons in Athletics first team and has already amassed over 100 La Liga appearances despite his tender age.Basque journalist Endika Río has followed his progress from the start. He is a central defender with the profile that Pep Guardiola likes, he tells Sky Sports. Hes strong, tall and powerful but what characterises him most is playing out from the back. He makes the central midfielders jobs easier. He has good distribution and he has quality with the ball at his feet. Watch some of Aymeric Laportes best moments for Athletic Bilbao That technical ability is invaluable to Guardiola, whose attacking philosophy requires modern, ball-playing centre-backs who can build quickly and fluently from the back. The role was fulfilled by Gerard Pique at Barcelona and David Alaba at Bayern Munich, and Laporte, it seems, will be the man for the job at Manchester City.A money-spinning transfer to the Etihad would cap a rapid rise for Laporte, who was only 18 when Bielsa promoted him to Athletic Bilbaos first team in November 2012. It was quite a difficult year for Athletic, recalls Río. Javi Martinez had left and they were having trouble renewing Fernando Amorebietas contract, so Bielsa promoted Laporte even though he had hardly played for the reserves. A City ready for Pep The appetite for Pep Guardiola in Manchester will be greater than it ever was in Munich.dddddddddddd Laporte was thrust into the heart of a struggling side, but the 6ft 2ins teenager swiftly established himself as a regular starter in central defence. Bielsa saw characteristics in him that fit with his style of football, says Río. He soon filled the gap left by Amorebieta. He was a boom.Bielsa loved Laporte - I dont remember a single fault I could tell you about, he said in 2015 - and he made 17 appearances before the 60-year-old was replaced by Ernesto Valverde in the summer of 2013. Bielsas gruelling training methods had taken a heavy toll as Athletic finished 12th in 2012/13 but the squad were reinvigorated by Valverde. Laporte, in particular, went from strength to strength. Laporte battles for the ball with Barcelonas Luis Suarez and Marc Bartra Laportes second year in the first team was Valverdes first in charge, says Río. The team finished fourth in La Liga and qualified for the Champions League. Laporte was part of the spine of the team and became the líder of the defence. He was still 19 but no one disputed it despite his age. Bit by bit, he has improved a lot in very little time.Laporte has come out on top in duels with the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo since breaking into the Athletic team. He helped them reach the final of last years Copa del Rey and played every minute of their historic 5-1 aggregate win over Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup in August. Laporte is a great player with every quality. I don’t remember a single fault that I could tell you about. He’s fast, he has character, he is competitive, he has very good technique and he is very intelligent. Marcelo Bielsa on Aymeric Laporte in 2015 Laporte is an accomplished one-on-one defender who doesnt shy away from physical challenges, but he prefers to rely on his fine reading of the game and intelligent positioning rather than gung-ho tackling. He has an excellent range of passing and averages more per game than any other Athletic player with the exception of central midfielder Beñat, while he is also a goal threat, having scored five times this season alone before he was injured in March.As for weaknesses, there is little to cause alarm. In some games you can still see his youth and inexperience, says Río. There have been some errors and he has been sent off for inexperienced fouls, but with time he has got better. You can see that he learns very fast for a player so young, and its not surprising that some of the biggest clubs in Europe want him. Laporte in action for Athletic Bilbao against Espanyol Like Bielsa before him, Valverde is a huge admirer. Hes young and he has to improve some things but hes already the real deal, he said in October. He is a player who is mature, despite his youth. On the pitch you see that because he takes responsibility for his position. Experience is always important, but if you already have that experience when you are 22, then imagine…Laportes rare combination of technical ability, physical prowess and youthful experience has thrust him to the forefront of Manchester Citys plans. Their defensive problems have been costly this season, but as they prepare to usher in a new era at the Etihad Stadium, Bielsas pupil looks ready to make his next step up with Guardiola. Also See: Sagna: Failure would be our fault Who gets into Europe? Has Pellegrni improved City? Kompany facing long spell out ' ' '