Speaking to Sambafoot today, Andy cast his votes in the direction of three of Brazil’s biggest stars and top performers in European competitions over the past year.
First Pick – Hulk
“Hulk has had an incredible year and a half. Since he came back from his ban, he has been an absolute force of nature,” said the Fox Soccer and ESPN contributor when pressed on his vote.
“There was a lot of focus on Falcão for breaking Jürgen Klinsmann’s UEFA Cup goalscoring record, but really it is all about Hulk.
“He scored 36 goals in all competitions last season and assisted twenty goals. He has carried that form into this season, scoring eleven or twelve, and setting up another ten. He is incredible!
“You can put him anywhere across the front-three and he always comes up with the goods.”
Second Pick – Thiago Silva
“It is brilliant what he has done there, he has moved on Milan’s development. In the Ancelotti years they were in a permenant inertia, completely stagnant. He is the new blood they needed.
“They no longer rely on Nesta; they have got over the loss of Maldini and i think they only conceded seventeen or eighteen goals in the league last season. A really good effort.
“He is so composed and so strong as well. This is the guy who I can see taking Brazil into the 2014 World Cup and beyond. i don’t think it is any surprise he is constantly linked with the likes of Barcelona.”
Third Pick – Lucas Leiva
“For the incredible progress he has made. Everybody realises with his current injury how much Liverpool are going to miss him.
“He always looked destined to fail. He turned up and the characteristics of his game were never going to fit in the same team as Steven Gerrard. Lucas has completely changed his game and worked so hard at it to become an important player for Liverpool and Brazil in what is a key position.
“It looked a disaster when Xabi Alonso left as they couldn’t transfer the ball out of defence properly. They have found the answer from within. Given the criticism he suffered in his first couple of years, it shows extraordinary strength of character to come back.”
Click here to vote for your choice for the Samba Gold Trophy 2011
