Tim Cahill (Australia)

Midfielder Tim Cahill has the handy knack of turning up in dangerous positions and scoring important goals. Equally effective with his feet or his head, he will be crucial to the Socceroos’ hopes as they contest only their second World Cup finals. Cahill stepped up to the Premiership with a transfer to Everton. He began the season late due to his involvement in Australia’s run to the quarter-finals of the Olympic Football Tournament in Athens, but for Evertonians he proved well worth the wait. Overall, the midfielder netted 12 goals for Everton as they secured a place in the top four of the division for the first time since 1988 and also picked up the player of the season award from the fans and players.

Oleg Gusev (Ukraine)

Midfielder Gusev was instrumental in Ukraine’s run to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, having played in all but one of their qualifiers. Made his debut for the national side aged just 20 in August 2003, shortly after making the switch from Arsenal Kyiv to Dynamo Kyiv. The highly-rated creative midfielder made an instant impact at both international and domestic level, and has been a regular ever since.