1 Player to Watch From Every World Cup Squad (2/2)
The Qatar World Cup will feature the most players in the tournament’s 92-year history. With that in mind, I have picked one must-watch player from each participating nation to whet your appetite for the tournament.
Yesterday, I fired part one of the series into inboxes across the internet:
Now, it’s time to turn our attention to Groups E, F, G, and H.
Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan
Pedri has the potential to be football’s next dominant midfielder. Still in his age-19 season, he has been one of Barcelona’s most productive players this season and arrives in Qatar with the expectations of a nation on his shoulders.
However, his performances at the EUROS and Olympics indicate that he is not intimidated by national team duties. He will be a difference-maker for Spain.
In what is expected to be his final international tournament, Keylor Navas will be kept busy behind Costa Rica’s rickety defence. While the 35-year-old has been kept on the bench in favour of Gianluigi Donnarumma by PSG, he remains his nation’s on- and off-field leader.
Also of note: Navas still look sharp. He starred for Costa Rica in their recent friendly fixtures and is still every bit the dynamic shot-stopper he was in his 20s.
Joshua Kimmich is determined to write new history for Germany after their dismal performance at the last World Cup. He arrives in Qatar in the middle of a bumpy spell with Bayern Munich, albeit a set of poor results his play has softened.
In a recent article for Players Tribune, he wrote: “In football there are only two games that matter: the last one and the next one. That’s it. It doesn’t matter what else you’ve done. You’re only as good as your last result. It doesn’t make sense to sit around looking at your trophies and studying your achievements.”
Daichi Kamada helped Eintracht Frankfurt end their 42-year wait for a continental trophy last season and has the vision and work rate to carry Japan to new achievements in Qatar. He was an important part of the Samurai Blue’s attack in recent exhibitions versus Brazil and Paraguay, with his midfield role assured.
Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
It’s impossible to overstate how much Belgium rely on Kevin De Bruyne’s individual excellence. He will be handed the freedom to roam from a wide position by head coach Roberto Martinez, who routes most of his team’s attacks through the Manchester City creator.
Oh, Canada. While they have an uphill battle on their hands at their first World Cup since 1986, they also have reasons to be optimistic thanks to Alphonso Davies.
Unlike with Bayern Munich – for whom he plays in defence, the 22-year-old plays in an attack for his nation and was clutch in CONCACAF Qualifying. If the Canadians are to pull off a shock result, they will need to make the most of their star man’s pace on the counter.
Nayef Aguerd is still short of full fitness after his preseason injury versus Ipswich Town but remains an important player for Morocco. With the Atlas Lions drawn into a difficult portion of the bracket, his pace and defensive awareness could turn out to be trump cards for his nation.
Slaven Bilic is under no illusions about who the best midfielder on the planet is.
“If you ask me, Luka Modrić is the best,” said the former Croatia and current Watford boss. “He was the best five years ago, two years ago, and now he’s still the best. He’s not one of the best at the moment: he is the best.”
Bilic has a point about the 37-year-old. He still ranks in the top five percent of big five league midfielders for assists, expected assists, and progressive passes per 90.
Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
It’s time to shine for Lucas Paquetá and Brazil. Although the 25-year-old has made an unimpressive start to his career with West Ham, he remains an important player for his national team – for which he plays a deeper role.
Paquetá will be expected to dictate the play from Brazil’s double pivot and will benefit from sharing the field with the likes of Vinicius and Neymar.
Aleksandar Mitrović suffered a lower-body injury in his final appearance for Fulham before the World Cup, which sparked an on-brand response from Serbia’s head coach manager.
"Mitrović will go to the World Cup without a leg, we can also cut off his head — he'll still go," explained Dragan Stojkovic. Thankfully for Serbia, their star forward should be healthy in time for their tournament opener and arrives in Qatar with nine goals in 12 Premier League appearances this term.
Switzerland will rely on Yann Sommer heavily in Group G. The 33-year-old played every minute of their qualification campaign and conceded just twice. Murat Yakin’s squad is in safe hands.
Andre Onana is another fantastic shot-stopper who arrives at the World Cup with a point to prove. He made a crucial tackle outside his box in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final last season and retains his spot as Cameroon’s starter.
Group G: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
Cristiano Ronaldo received a frosty reception from his teammates when joined Portugal’s squad for the World Cup. He is therefore their player to watch for all the wrong reasons.
Mohammed Kudus is an international tournament away from earning a big-ticket transfer to one of Europe’s big five leagues. Ghana’s 22-year-old forward has impressed for Ajax this season, posting nine goals and three assists in 20 appearances in all competitions.
Federico Valverde is off to a flying start to the season with Real Madrid, a campaign punctuated by his game-winning goal in the Madrid Derby. The 24-year-old is one of the most versatile midfielders of his generation and will act as Uruguay’s engine in Group G.
It’s all about Son Heung-Min in South Korea. He will play a crucial role for the one-time semi-finalists, despite fracturing his eye socket just weeks before the tournament.
In a recent social media post, the Tottenham Hotspur forward wrote: “Playing for your country at the World Cup is the dream of so many children growing up, just as it was one of mine too. I won't miss this for the world. I can't wait to represent our beautiful country, see you soon."