ALESSANDRO Nesta is a strong, skillful defender who is recognised globally as being among the best defenders around.

After making his debut for the international side in 1996, he quickly became an integral part of the team, excelling in Italy's run to the Euro 2000 final.

That kind of form has won him many admirers across Europe and he's been linked with clubs like Manchester United, Inter and Real Madrid over the past few years.

He recently signed a new long-term contract in May but Lazio's failure to win any silverware means he may consider leaving if the right offer comes along.

JAAP STAM

No stranger to English football fans after his acrimonious split from Manchester United last season, which dominated the headlines for weeks.

Sir Alex Ferguson broke the world record for a defender when he signed him for £10.75 million from PSV Eindhoven in 1998 and the Dutchman went on to carve out a fine reputation for himself in his three years at Old Trafford, playing an important role in the club's treble winning campaign.

However, just three games into the 2001-02 season, Stam was surprisingly sold to Lazio by Ferguson in a shock £16.5 million deal after making derogatory comments in his autobiography.

Excellent in the air and just as comfortable on the ground, he is a regular with Holland and has been capped over 30 times.

DIEGO SIMEONE

Achieved notoriety in the UK for his part in David Beckham's sending off during Argentina's stormy encounter with England at France '98.

Back home, however, he's more famous for being Argentina's most-capped midfielder, no mean feat when the competition includes a certain Diego Maradona!

After starting his career with Velez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires, he has since had stints at Pisa, Spanish sides Sevilla and Atletico Madrid, before returning to Italy with Inter Milan.

He had two mixed years at the San Siro, eventually leaving for Lazio after a bust-up with Ronaldo in a deal that saw Christian Vieri swap places with him.

An industrious midfielder with a knack for scoring crucial goals, his leadership qualities are important for both club and country.

HERNAN CRESPO

Arrived at Lazio in 2000 from Parma in a then world-record deal worth £36 million which saw £12 million in cash plus Sergio Conceicao and Matias Almeyda move the opposite way.

At Parma, he had averaged a goal every other game, which is a remarkable record in Serie A, but he spent most of his early career in the shadow of fellow countryman Gabriel Batistuta.

However, his athleticism and deadly finishing with either foot have finally given him the chance to establish himself at international level, where he was justifiably selected ahead of Batistuta by finishing joint top-scorer in the South American qualifiers for the World Cup. Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is said to be among his biggest admirers.

CONTROVERSIAL: Diego Simeone

£36 MILLION MAN: Hernan Crespo gets a shot in under pressure from Liverpool's Sami Hyypia