Unearthing gems for the Premiership and beyond

In among the VIP guests at 15 of the matches so far has been an Englishman on a mission. Not a fan, not a manager, not even a Football Association councillor enjoying a little Asian corporate hospitality. Paul Stretford is a football agent, and for him the month of June is all about business, lots of air miles, and not much pleasure.

Stretford arrived in Seoul two days before the tournament started and has since been to eight different cities across the two host countries, where he has watched over 1,400 minutes of football.

The first two weeks of the World Cup have been spent taking care of his clients as well as searching for new talent. The schedule has been gruelling, but do not feel too sorry for Stretford. Where there are footballers, there is money, and the managing director of Proactive Sports Management will have done his multi-million-pound business no harm in the Far East.

"Our company has 20 players from 12 different countries at the finals," Stretford says, "and we have given all our clients the same level of service as they would receive at home. That involves varied tasks, ranging from organising the travel plans of their loved ones to making sure that they have enough boots with them. We are here to smooth over the players' stay so that they have nothing to deal with but winning matches."

Stretford, whose clients include the Republic of Ireland's Damien Duff and the USA's Claudio Reyna, is understandably proud that every one of his footballers made it through to the second round.

There is, of course, another reason for Stretford spending so much time, money and effort touring Japan and South Korea. While he admits that the chances of finding new, totally unknown players are remote, the search for potential Premiership signings is unrelenting.

"Satellite TV means that managers can follow almost every type of football around the world," he says. "That means there are very few gems left to unearth by the time a World Cup comes around. So what I am looking for are players who can perform in a big tournament. If they can do that, then the Premiership should not be beyond them."

Stretford is unusual in that he does not just look for potential Premiership players. His company, which was floated on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) last year, has 10 offices in nine countries and covers most European leagues. "The bulk of my work is to find Premiership players," he says, "but I'm also keeping an eye out for lads who might be more suited to the German Bundesliga or the Spanish Primera Liga."

While he is out in the Far East, Stretford has been asked by three Premiership clubs to put scouting reports together. And so far, he has found four players who could "cut the mustard back home". Stretford is, predictably, a little nervous about revealing their identities before the deals are signed and delivered, but, after some gentle persuasion, is prepared to discuss the merits of one who might grace the Premiership come August. "One of the most exciting prospects to emerge from this tournament has been South Korea's Lee Chun-Soo," Stretford says. "He has explosive pace and, because he is still only 20, has plenty of time to develop further."

Stretford, who has travelled to every World Cup since Mexico in 1986, has been most impressed by the South Koreans and the Americans. "The fitness levels of the Koreans are unbelievable," he says, "and, if it wasn't for their age, many of the players could get moves to Europe. As for some of the American lads, don't be surprised if they are playing in England next season."

And with that, Stretford is off again. He still has 540 minutes of football to watch before he comes home.

Four who caught the agents' eye

Julius Aghahowa (Nigeria)
Club: Shakhtar Donetsk. "He is very direct and yet clever on the ball, which makes him difficult to defend against. At 19, he has the potential to do well in England. The key is to get him early. But even if he isn't a resounding success, anyone who can do seven somersaults deserves a chance." Jon Smith

Lee Chun-Soo (South Korea)
Club: Ulsan Tigers. "This kid is super- fit. Guus Hiddink has instilled a real European ethos and that has helped guys like Chun-Soo make a mark. He is not a regular starter, but he is only 20 and has time to learn. He has explosive pace and a good engine, so there's no reason he couldn't do well here." Paul Stretford

El Hadji Diouf (Senegal)
Club: Lens but Liverpool-bound. "His alertness and speed stood out against France. But something else persuaded me he could play in the Premiership. His strength. He faced Premiership defenders against France and Denmark, and yet had little trouble carving out chances. Liverpool will be delighted." David Geiss

Winston Parks (Costa Rica)
Club: Udinese. "He looks to have the speed and upper-body strength to do well in our league. He wins a lot in the air, is not afraid and gives the impression he might do the unexpected. My concern is that he does not score enough, but he's a raw 21 and with the right coaching could iron out his rough edges." Phil Smith