3 attacking midfielders of whom you may not have heard but you will

Federico Bernardeschi

Stefano Ursolini

Last night Federico Bernardeschi hit a 25 piledriver of a free kick into the corner of the Borussia Munchengladbach net for Fiorentina who won their away Europa league tie 1-0. Aged 22 with 9 international caps he is not just an established talent but I would argue the best midfield young talent in Europe. I always thought that another 22 year old Paul Pogba is a work in progress not worth the price. He is a powerful ball carrier, he might become a Yaya Toure but Bernardeschi is a better striker and passer of the ball. With Barcelona thrashed 4-0 by PSG I can see him on their wanted shopping list whose wages we could not match. So we must enjoy now a talent in the Viola tradition of Antognoni, Baggio and Rui Costa.

Tom Cairney

Alan Tanner

Mike Rigg who over saw Fulham’s transfer policy is no longer at the club. Last season he bought in O’Hara, Stearman, Ream and Pringle. Most of them have left and Ream though playing does not instill any confidence in a hapless Fulham defence . However we did acquire Tom Cairney from Blackburn. He started at Leeds who unaccountably let him go. A neighbour at Fulham on seeing him for the first time said he did not rate him (too slow).

However a better judge was the person who took me to my first match. He is a superb judge of player and enthused about his balance accuracy of pass and bandy legged strength of the ball. I would like to this commendation his passing talent exemplified by the winner against Wigan. He took up his familiar position at the edge of the box (Fulham supporters might recall my hope at the start of the season that he plays more centrally and not wide left). His pass can thread a needle and against Wigan he picked out the advancing Kebano who struck home a late winner. Cairney can and does score although this season not many at Craven Cottage where he missed a penalty. Like Bernardeschi we are going to be pushed to hold onto him and Newcastle have already bid.

Wylan Cyprien ( Nice)

Michael de Vacri

Aged 22 he is an attacking midfielder who is having superb season for us. We acquired him from Lens and it was an inspired purchase.

He is the fulcrum of the Nice midfield, often turning up in the penalty area to score.

With Seri, elegant and skillful, now back from Africa Nations Cup, Nice have wonderful midfield and a youthful one too. Like Cairney and Bernardeschi he can score or create with equal expertise as you can see from this clip – CYPRIEN