On the weekend of the World Cup final and the (only) slightly interesting third place game, my mind can’t help but to think forward a few more days until the transfer rumors coupled with over inflated transfer fees start to blast off from the Internet like the Millenium Falcon did out of Mos Eisley space station all those galaxies ago.

After a World Cup, there are a few football related occurrences you’re guaranteed to experience. (a.) Players will disappear for a few weeks to some form of lavish tropical paradise and attempt to recharge their batteries, (b.) football fans will start to feel slightly odd as the realization of NO FOOTBALL, at least for a month, starts to set in, and (c.) the amount of money thrown around, talked about, rumored, spent and wasted on over-hyped players by clubs who don’t have it to begin with will be enough to fund a small country for a year or more (let the fun begin).

In my hopes to add to the eventual transfer market chaos, here are five players I’d like to see come play in the Premier League this season (note to readers – some of these players will have been rumored to be coming to the Premier League, some will have voiced their intentions to stay at their current club – these picks are nothing more than a “wish list” of sorts).

Wesley Sneijder – His name has been mentioned in the same sentence with both Manchester United and Chelsea in recent weeks as the current Inter Milan man looks set to SCREAM his name to FIFA as likely Ballon d’Or winner if the Netherlands defeat Spain in the World Cup final. Having already conquered the Champions League and Serie A with club, the 26 year old midfield play maker could realistically walk into any club in the world with his ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and teammates.

Sneijder’s match winner v Brazil in the quarter finals was one of the team goals of the tournament. Holland pulled ahead of Brazil for good from a brilliant corner as Arjen Robben found Dirk Kuyt at the near post who then flicked on to Sneijder for a quickly redirected header past Julio Ceasar. Precision and brilliance all in a few seconds.

Obviously, Sneijder wouldn’t come cheap. Potential Ballon d’Or winners who’ve just won everything in their path would surely have an inflated transfer fee attached to them. Inter Milan would be silly to let him go as he’s now at the peak and in the prime of his career. Still, Sneijder would be a brilliant addition to the Premier League’s attacking flair.

Potential fit in Premier League – Manchester United

Asamoah Gyan – My heart still breaks for Ghana as their story of elimination must go down as one of the most gutting in World Cup history. Gyan could have sent his country to the semi’s with the last kick of the ball after an excruciating 120 minutes, but his spot kick heard round the continent of Africa just wasn’t to be.

His failure at the spot shouldn’t take away from the brilliant tournament the current Rennes striker did in fact have. Gyan is a strong and powerful striker with pace. He’s best when he receives good service into the box and needs only a moment to set himself and pick his spot for a deadly strike.

Gyan seems more poised for a Premier League switch than the previously mentioned Sneijder. In a recent interview with The Sun, Gyan was quoted as saying, “I always dream about playing in the Premier League. The sooner the better“.

Potential fit in Premier League – West Ham or recently promoted Newcastle United.

Michael Bradley – In five years time, US Soccer fans could realistically be talking about Bradley as one of the best, if not the best soccer player the US has ever produced. Currently in the Bundesliga with Borussia Mochengladbach, Bradley had a fantastic World Cup in the center of midfield for the US where he was able to show his strength, vision, passing abilities and smart decision making as the US won their group.

I like the way Bradley seems to stand tall in midfield like a classic general. He’s strong and isn’t afraid to get forward when the opportunity presents itself. He’s sure to be a future Captain of the US, possibly even at the next World Cup in 2014. Still only 22, Bradley looks set for a long and successful career in Europe.

Potential fit in Premier League – Tottenham Hotspur

Yoann Gourcuff – let’s face it, the French play maker had a woeful World Cup. Sent off in the last group stage match with what was deemed violent conduct, Gourcuff was never able to show his true talent in a France squad that was more dysfunctional than the Royal Tenebaums.

Still, one cannot base an entire career on a few games. Currently at Bordeaux in France, Gourcuff is the kind of silky smooth play maker that would thrive in the fast pace, attacking tempo of the Premier League. Dashingly handsome and dubbed the next Zidane for some time now, the Premier League beckons for the young midfield maestro.

Potential fit in Premier League – a perfect fit at Arsenal.

Milos Krasic – the speedy Serbian winger had a great World Cup for a Serbia team who failed to impress and progress out of a tough group. Turning in a man of the match performance in his country’s 1-0 win over eventual semi finalists Germany, Krasic possess the speed and skill needed to succeed in the Premier League. There’s not a skill in midfield Krasic doesn’t possess, he’s brilliant with the ball at his feet, he’ll run at and take on defenders and he can shoot from range.

Currently at CSKA Moscow in the Russian Premier League since 2004, Krasic performed well in last seasons UEFA Champions League before being knocked out by eventual Champions Inter Milan in the quarter finals.

Potential fit in Premier League – Liverpool – could add some much needed width to their attack.

Whether these players will ever kick a ball in anger in England is yet to be seen. What’s known is that they’d add dimensions to the star power already playing in England and would sure be fun to watch each week.

Which players would you like to see playing in the Premier League either for your club or that would fit in well at another team?

Euro 2008 hasn’t even started yet, but that hasn’t stopped so many pundits who have been writing off Holland’s chances of success in the tournament. The critics keep on pointing at the Dutch defense as a weakness, but what they’re forgetting is the Oranje’s power in midfield and up front.An integral part of that attack will be Dutch left winger Wesley Sneijder. Born in Utrecht, the 23-year-old midfielder plays his football week-in week-out for Real Madrid. The Dutch winger, who can also play on the right, was such a pivotal player in Real’s success this past season. So often Sneijder floated balls from the left wing into the box with inch-perfect crosses and passes to clinical finishers such as fellow Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy, Raul and Robinho — to name just a few.The Netherlands has the difficult task of getting out of their first round group, nicknamed the Group Of Death. Opponents that Sneijder and his teammates will be going up against are Italy, Romania and France.Over at Euro2008Statistics.com, the web site rates “the left-footed strike of the Netherlands’ Wesley Sneijder” among the best of the best in the tournament. Capped by his country 43 times (with 8 goals), Sneijder has made 30 appearances for Real Madrid and scored an impressive 9 goals.Left footed players are a rare quality. Just ask England. While the Netherlands are arguably weak in the back, the Dutch should be able to counter that by maintaining more possession in midfield and scoring more goals. Wesley Sneijder, the Dutch winger, will be a key component of Holland’s success.