Tips for 2012: Five players you will know a lot better this time next year

As we look ahead to 2012, here are five players we think you will hear a lot more about over the next 12 months.

Xherdan Shaqiri

The Basel winger sprang into the spotlight this month as he helped to dump Manchester United out of the Champions League, but the gifted youngster is sure to be on his way to one of Europe’s big boys in 2012.

The 20-year-old has already played 15 times for the Swiss national team and he is going to be a massive star. Short in stature, he is incredibly fast and delivers a lethal cross off either foot, though he prefers the left.

He’s not a bad finisher either, with a very respectable haul for a wide man. Arsenal and Chelsea are already sniffing around so expect him to move somewhere in the summer.

Marco Reus

We have been banging on about the young German for a while now on JOE but we think he will come to real prominence when he gets to show off at the European Championships this summer.

We think Germany will win the Euros – unless Trap does it for Ireland of course – and Reus could be the man to drive them. In partnership with another starlet, Mario Goetze, Germany could crush even the mighty Spain.

Reus is tied into a big contract at Monchengladbach so may not go anywhere this year but if he gets the chance to show what he can do in Poland and Ukraine, then he may be on his way.

Similar to Shaqiri in how he plays, he is bigger and even better at winning the ball back. Cracking nicname too. 'Rolls Reus'.

Marcelinho

Also known as Lucas, the 19-year-old is the subject of more speculation right now than the first episode of Tallafornia.

What we do know is that he plays for Sao Paolo, is an attacking midfielder and he has been linked with every club from AC Milan to Athlone Town, though we may have misheard that last one.

He has already played 10 times for Brazil and he may be the answer for teams looking for a bit of creativity in midfield. Not mentioning any names, Fergie.

James McCLean

The former Derry City man joined Sunderland at the start of the season but only made his debut in Martin O’Neill’s first game in charge, a come-from-behind win over Blackburn. With a fellow Derry man now at the helm at the Stadium of Light we should see a lot more of McLean.

The skilful winger, who has played underage for Northern Ireland, would rather play for the Republic and is waiting on the call from Trap. If he gets a run in the Sunderland team, could he get on the plane to Poland? It’s a long shot but he will give the Black Cats some zip up front and will start to get tongues wagging at least.

Enda Stevens

Well known to fans of League of Ireland, Stevens' switch from Shamrock Rovers to Aston Villa is great news for him and potentially for Ireland. We know Trap wants his players playing in England so Stevens has a shot now, though probably not for the Euros.

With Stephen Warnock and fellow Irish man Ciaran Clarke to compete with it won’t be easy, but Stevens is class and playing alongside Shay Given and Richard Dunne won’t do the 21-year-old any harm either.