Daniel BAIER – Augsburg/Germany/18/05/1984
Stocky midfielder who has been crucial to Augburg’s survival and subsequent progress in the Bundesliga. A former under-21 international.
Gareth BALE – Real Madrid/Wales/16/07/1989
Capped his first season in Madrid with a goal in the Champions League Final, but the target of angry fans this term for poor performances.
Mario BALOTELLI – Liverpool/Italy/12/08/1990
Eternally troublesome striker whose off-pitch antics have detracted from his footballing abilities. A move back to Italy in the summer looks in the offing.
Ross BARKLEY – Everton/England/5/12/1993
One of the great white hopes of English football. The midfielder has come through the Everton ranks but may have to move clubs to fulfil his potential.
Augusto BATALLA – River Plate/Argentina/30/04/1996
Highly-rated keeper who starred at the South American Under-20s. Linked with a move to Real Madrid as Iker Casillas’ long- term replacement.
Claudio BEAUVUE – Guingamp/France/16/04/1988
Late-developing Guadaloupe-born midfielder turned forward who scored 11 goals in a run of 15 games earlier this season.
Karim BELLARABI – Leverkusen/Germany/08/04/1990
Winger who scored the Bundesliga’s fastest-ever goal after nine seconds against Dortmund last August. Called up by Germany in October.
Mehdi BENATIA – Bayern/Morocco/17/04/1987
Central defender and one of the most wanted in last summer’s transfer market but has yet to match his Roma form.
Lars BENDER – Leverkusen/Germany/27/04/1989
Hard-working, tactically astute midfielder or right-back, missed the 2014 World Cup through injury. Twin of Dortmund’s Sven.
Dario BENEDETTO – America/Argentina/17/05/1990
Forward whose transfer from Tijuana to champions America was the biggest domestic story of
the winter in Mexico.
