#10 Diego

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Can't see him leaving, Diego = Bremen.

[Oliver_Kahn]

NO !!!!!!!

If he leaves Bremen, he must come to München

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Spanish giants Real Madrid are reportedly keen on Werder Bremen's Brazilian star Diego as their search for a new midfielder continues.

David Beckham's transfer to MLS outfit Los Angeles Galaxy leaves a void to be filled and, given Madrid's failure to land Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, the Royal club seem to have turned their attentions

According to Marca, Real have already contacted Diego's agent and father Djair Ribas da Cunha with the intention to trash out a deal for the highly talented 22-year-old.

Once hailed as the new Zico at the age of 17, Diego inspired Santos to the Brazilian title before sealing a move to Porto in 2004. But, following a promising first season, the youngster fell out with then-coach Co Adriaanse and, after missing out on Brazil's World Cup squad last summer, finally decided to move on.

He has taken the Bundesliga by storm since his €6million (£4million) transfer, scoring 12 goals himself and setting up another 12 for his team-mates and was recently rewarded for his excellent performances by being called up to represent Brazil again by new coach Dunga.

Diego caught the eye with a spectacular goal from within Bremen's own half in Friday's 3-1 victory over Alemannia Aachen, which made the headlines in Germany and throughout Europe.

Bayern Munich were the first of Europe's leading clubs to express an interest in the playmaker, but Bremen have no intention of losing Diego, who is tied to the club until 2010. However, an offer in the region of €30 million (£20million) might be too good to reject for the Weser-Stadium outfit.

Sky Sports - The Best Sport Coverage From Around The World

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Werder Bremen manager Thomas Schaaf will not be drawn on the future of midfielder Diego, who is linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Spanish daily Marca reported that Real were preparing a bid for the player who only joined from Porto last summer, after "tapping" him through his agent. But Schaaf - whose Germany stars Miroslav Klose and Torsten Frings

"I can imagine (that Real are keen on Diego)," Schaaf told Eurosport.de. "I am also interested in players from other teams. But unfortunately I can't get them."

"We won't be constantly drawn on random comments from here and there. We have a philosophy, a strategy to work with our team and to treat players properly. That's why we won't react to every report."

He still remains positive on Klose and Frings too, the former linked with a move to Bayern Munich and the latter allegedly in the latter stages of discussions with soon-to-be Serie B champions Juventus.

"First of all, we believe that both players will decide to stay at Werder Bremen," Schaaf continued. "Both Klose and Frings are under contract with us beyond the end of the season. And so far there have been no further comments from them."

Despite regularly qualifying for Europe and challenging for domestic honours, Werder seem to be viewed as a feeder-club, losing top players at the end of each season and replacing them with young talent or players from smaller clubs - and Schaaf is not too worried about this situation.

"In general I am completely relaxed about that," he continued. "Of course I get annoyed from time to time when I think I have achieved something and want to move up a level. But changes are always happening.

"You can't allow yourself to get bogged-down in negative thoughts, but always have to be ready to build a strong team again. Aaron Hunt has come on well and is knocking on the door of the Germany team.

"We have also brought home-grown players through in the past. Tim Borowski, for example, who played in the World Cup. Kevin Schindler is a more recent player who has already put in excellent performances and will now get the chance to put on the Werder shirt in the coming years."

He would not, however, be drawn on potential summer signings, adding: "There are a few, but also some that I can't get [laughs]. I can imagine contacting one or two, for whom we would try to push through a deal if things went well."

Schaaf tight-lipped on Diego - Football - Eurosport

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Werder Bremen playmaker Diego has been the latest player to fall under the media spotlight as the Madrid management – and sporting press – oscillates between one footballer and another to refurbish the much-derided Merengue capacity for creation. Despite the insistence of certain sources, the player’s rep has stepped up to deny talk of a move to Spain…

Spanish daily ‘Marca’, well-known for its pro-Merengue stance but with deep contacts inside the White House, has zeroed in on Diego as the man who could kill two birds with one stone.

The ex-Santos man could revitalise Real’s attacking midfield as well as get the most out of Robinho – his best friend since they both earned rave reviews back in Brazilian club Santos.

Both were the stars of Emerson Leão’s young Santos – along with Elano, Alex and Ricardo Oliveira – between 2002 and 2004, and many want to see the partnership recreated at the Santiago Bernabéu.

With Robinho showing both his value and impatience at not being used enough, Diego would be an obvious choice to pump up the boy wonder again.

Nevertheless, Diego’s father and representative, Djair Cunha, has denied any contact at all with the Spanish club. “It’s pure speculation”, he stressed.

“Absolutely nobody has called me about this except the Spanish journalists. All I know is what they published.”

“I repeat: there’s been no contact between us and Real Madrid whatsoever”, he clarified to the Brazilian press. “Diego is doing well at Bremen and he’s settled in well to both the club and the city. He’s also under contract, so any approach must be made to the club first.”

Werder Bremen have yet to comment on any Madrid bid or talks, but those in Madrid would say that there's no smoke without fire and that Diego is a name that may well be printed on the back of a Merengue shirt come the summer...

Goal.com - Transfer Zone - Diego Agent Denies Real Madrid Rumours

[Oliver_Kahn]

Diego won't leave, at least this summer he won't.

[jec1]

If I was Diego, I would stay. He is having success, why would he want out?

[Oliver_Kahn]

Exactly.

[jec1]

What's the latest????

There is no way for me to watch the Bundesliga, I can't fina any telecast here in Florida.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Hertha BSC 1 - 4 Werder Bremen

19' [0 - 1] M. Rosenberg
50' [0 - 2] M. Rosenberg
60' [0 - 3] Diego
62' [1 - 3] Gilberto
82' [1 - 4] M. Rosenberg


Diego scores again !

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Diego's having a fantastic season.

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8. Diego – Werder Breman

After signing for one of the most successful youth systems in Brazil, Diego was destined to be a star. He debuted for Santos at the tender age of 16, and scouts from across Europe quickly became aware of Diego’s potential. He starred alongside best friend Robinho in the Campeonato Brasileiro and the Copa Libertadores. Robinho left for Madrid, and he headed for Porto. He blessed the Dragao with his ability to use either foot, his goals, and important assists. But after scoring the winner against Chelsea in the Champions League, the goals and the games dried up for Diego.

Werder Berman were quick to snap up the Brazilian playmaker; he signed for Thomas Schaaf’s title challengers in the summer of 2006. Not everyone was convinced that he was capable of filling the void left by Johan Micoud, but he silenced his critics with a great performance against Hannover 96 as he collected 1 goal and 2 assists. He capped off the month by winning the Bundesliga player of the month award. Fans now are in awe of Diego, and feel that his valuable through balls for Miroslav Klose are one of the reasons why Werder are performing so well in the Bundesliga (despite some recent disappointments). No wonder Inter are keeping a close eye on the Brazilian.

Goal.com - Editorial/Comment - The World's Top Ten Creative Players

[Oliver_Kahn]

Werder Bremen playmaker Diego has won the Bundesliga Player of the Season award organised by Kicker magazine.


The prize is given based on the votes of players in Germany, of which Diego won slightly more than 50 percent.

The 22-year-old scored 13 league goals - making him the club's joint top scorer with Miroslav Klose - and helped Bremen mount a serious, but ultimately unsuccessful, championship bid.

Diego joined the club from Porto last summer, and has produced a string of excellent performances to see him linked with Real Madrid and Chelsea among other top clubs.

Bochum striker Theofanis Gekas came in second with 10.7 percent having rattled in 20 goals, while Stuttgart's Mario Gomez, Leverkusen captain Bernd Schneider and Pavel Pardo - also of champions Stuttgart - completed the top five.

Gomez won the Young Player of the Season award after breaking into the full Germany squad, with Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer losing a close battle by 14.8 percent to 13.7.

Bundesliga - Diego crowned Bundesliga's best - Yahoo! eurosport UK

[Oliver_Kahn]

bundesliga.de continues to analyse the 2006-07 Bundesliga season. Today: the best providers of the German top flight.


Diego has proved a big hit at Werder Bremen, winning over footballs fans in Germany from the first time he set foot on a German football pitch.

But Diego is more than a football wizard. The midfielder has also proved to be the best provider in the Bundesliga - Werder's number 10 created 13 goals this season.