Steven Gerrard has been the talismanic face of Liverpool for years now. But the soon to be 28-year-old may only have five or six seasons left in him.
By that time, a certain Brazilian should be well into his prime.
Lucas Leiva, now 21, has shown throughout his short career that he has bucketloads of potential.
He has already won the equivalent of the Championship in Brazil in 2005, as well as the Campeonato Gaucho twice in successive seasons: 2006 and 2007.
He finished as runners-up in the Copa Libertadores with Gremio in 2007 as well.
As captain of the Brazil under-20s, he led his team to the 2007 South American U-20 Championship, a team that also included the likes of Alexandre Pato.
Perhaps his biggest achievement for Lucas to date, however, is when he won the 2006 Brazilian Footballer of the Year.
Previous winners of this award make an All-Star list. For example: Zico, Taffarel, Romario, Kaka, Alex, Robinho and Carlos Tevez all have this award to their name.
Gerrard has only won the equivalent award (PFA Player of the Year) once so far in his career, despite always being in and around the nominees.
Although not being a first team regular at Anfield yet, he has established himself as an important squad player, and first in line to step in if Gerrard, Mascherano or Alonso are been unavailable.
This season, Liverpool have won 76 percent of the 17 games Lucas has featured in, and only 35 percent of the 20 that he hasn't.
He is able to play as a decent holding player and is a creative force and a threat going forward.
If there is one place where Lucas doesn't seem to have the potential to match Gerrard, though, it is intensity.
Perhaps then, a better player to compare him to is another youngster, Cesc Fabregas.
Next season, if Lucas plays a more regular role, he could well develop into Liverpool's Fabregas.
And if he keeps improving the way he has, then he may well give 'Captain Fantastic' a run for his money in the future.
Comments (7) Add a comment »
from 6 days ago
Well I had no idea of his background until you told me now. In that case should he not be standing out more already?
from 6 days ago
yeh he probably should - but what with the other big names liverpool have in centre midfield, lucas has slipped under the radar a bit, which i think is a good thing for him.
from 5 days ago
Yeah it could well be. He won't be too excited by Liverpool going for Barry either then.
from 5 days ago
Really a highly rated youngster
from 5 days ago
If he's as good as you say. He may not want to stay with Liverpool, if not given enough time on feild.
There's always other clubs knocking on the door for players with potential. Example, Alexandre Pato the next big thing for Brazil at AC Milan.
from 5 days ago
Lucas is undoubtedly quality. He hasn't had a brilliant season, but at only 21, in a new country, with a new language and a completely different style of play, I think you have to give him some leeway.
The win % stats are impressive, but I think you have to take into account that the games Lucas would have featured in will be the games against 'lesser' opposition, so inevtiably they have won more of them.
I don't think many fans elsewhere realised what a coup it was for Liverpool to sign him. He was wanted by all the top clubs in Europe because he was one of the top young players in Brazil.
He is a different sort of player to Gerrard so I don't think we should be tagging him as 'the next' anything, but he will be a good player for Liverpool, no doubt about that. He will be playing in the Olympics for Brazil in August so will miss the start of the season as well.
from 3 days ago
Great article, Rafa has truly done a great job at brining in young prospects. However, I fear that if they are not utilized more often in the 2008-09 campaign, then they will be looking for another place to call home in the summer or even sooner.
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