Nathan Burns: Where will he end up?

Adelaide United's Nathan Burns has started the season on fire. Where will he end up? My theory is any player, any young player in the old NSL who shone could clearly go on to play in a top league in Europe. Where will Nathan Burns go, and when?

Now of course I don't want him to go.

Not now, not ever!

But clearly he will and when he does he needs to choose the right club and league.

Hasn't he improved? The A-League season last year plus the Asian Champions League add in a few Olyroo games and then look at me now.

His strength, vision and pace have all improved. But for me it's his confidence. His confidence on the ball, his confidence to dictate play, to make something happen.

In the first game against The Roar he lashed in a goal which few A-League players could score.

Not Marcinho, Milicic, Allsopp or even Zdrillic, maybe not even Corica!

And then he waltzed around Sydney. McFlynn as tough as The Harbour Bridge, Zadkovich like an APEC officer guarding us from The Chaser, and Rudan like Kevin Rudd daring to go past the incumbent. And he produced a goal.

That's important.

Because now he is influencing games like a master. Well certainly way beyond his years.

He may not keep it up. He's still young. And last night his header against the bar should have grabbed Adelaide perhaps unfairly all three points against the Victory, but he missed.

Some have criticised the A-League, but for me the pace of the league far outshines the old NSL.

The NSL had plenty of skill. But like the Emertons, Culina's and Viduka's of old when you shine in the domestic league tou can shine abroad. No question.

Never over-rate the foreign leagues.

When should Burns go? After the Olympics I think. Assuming, and a big assumption we qualify of course.

Where should he go?

Well he'll go to England I assume. Money talks. Ask Adrian Leijer, Ahmed Elrich and David Carney, even if they never play.

Burns needs to play. Holland may be a better place to start before stumbling into the riches of England.

Wherever he goes, whenever he goes you can guarantee that 60,000 or so will be drooling over him when he comes back to play for Australia if he keeps this development up.

For me, the beauty is we now get to see these young stars today. We've already seen him last year, and in the Champions League and now in Season 3.

Why aren't the followers of English football or Italian football watching him now, in our domestic league.

Sure they'll be talking about him for years to come. Maybe like they do Viduka.

Then again few of us enjoyed Viduka when he played for Melbourne Knights. 6,000 week was a good crowd.

Whereas now that many would turn up to watch him train when he comes home!

Get out and see Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite when youget the chance.

Are we seeing our next golden star?

What do you think? Will Nathan Burns match Harry Kewell or Nark Viduka's achievements and take us to another World Cup?