5 Little-known Players Who Can Shine At The World Cup

5 Little-known Players Who Can Shine At The World Cup
21:00, 19 May 2018

A number of teams have a star player in the ranks that have the hopes of a nation resting on their shoulders at the World Cup. There’ll be plenty of focus on some big name performers in Russia next month, but that’ll only allow those out of the spotlight to shine.

Here, Ben McAleer runs through those looking to emerge from the shadow at the World Cup and thrive in the limelight.

However, it’s a name closer to home who is more or less guaranteed a place when Sampoali cuts his squad down to 23. Cristian Pavon, who Arsenal fans may be familiar with after they were linked with  a move for the 22-year-old at the turn of the year, is expected to have a splendid season capped off with a place the Argentina squad. Pavon registered more assists (11) than any other player in the Superliga this season as Boca Juniors landed yet another domestic title.

His versatility on the frontline is a huge bonus for Sampaoli and offers Argentina an additional attacking threat that is comfortable down the middle or on either flank. After a stunning domestic campaign, he has the means to really announce himself to the watching world. As perhaps one final roll of the dice if needed, Argentina can do a lot worse than Pavon this summer.

Trezeguet - Egypt
Mohamed Salah will have the eyes of the world on him when Egypt kick off against Uruguay next month. The Liverpool striker scored the decisive penalty that confirmed the Pharaohs’ place at Russia 2018 against Congo with Egypt gearing up for their first World Cup appearance since 1990. There will be plenty of focus on Salah in their Group A games, but if defences prioritise the 25-year-old, Trezeguet would be granted the space to hurt opponents.

The 23-year-old has been in exceptional form for Super Lig side Kasimpasa this season. A return of 13 goals and six assists re-emphasises his impact in Turkey and Egypt will hope he can transfer his fine club form to the international stage this summer. He’s completed more dribbles (96) than any other Super Lig player this term, as per WhoScored.com, and would welcome the excess space afforded to him should teams divert their attention to Salah.

In a group containing hosts Russia, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, Egypt will fancy their chances of progressing to the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history. Trezeguet’s league form this season has been nothing short of spectacular and while Salah is the poster boy for Egyptian football, the tricky winger could well prove to Hector Cuper’s secret weapon at the tournament.

Serdar Azmoun - Iran
AZ Alkmaar star Alireza Jahanbakhsh enjoyed a hugely successful Eredivisie season as he netted more goals (21) than any other player in the Dutch top tier of football. An additional 12 assists means he was one of only three players, along with Steven Berghuis and David Neres, to register double figures for goals and assists in the Eredivisie this term.

He’s Iran’s main goalscoring threat and teams will go to great lengths to limit his impact - the 24-year-old was the 8th most fouled player (66) in the Eredivisie this season after all. Jahanbakhsh is the main man in Carlos Queiroz’s side, yet there are those beyond the AZ star that can wreak havoc on defences. Step forward Sardar Azmoun, the man dubbed ‘The Iranian Messi’. The 23-year-old endured a difficult start to life upon his return Rubin Kazan last summer, yet ended the campaign strongly.

Indeed, his five goals and three assists came in his final eight league appearances of the Russian Premier League season as he helped the Volzháne stave off relegation. He also boasts an immense record on the international stage having scored 23 goals in 31 appearances - that’s Ali Daei levels of consistency. His fine record for Iran is a cause for optimism in arguably the toughest group at the World Cup and if left to his own devices, could be a thorn in the side of opponents next month.

Amine Harit - Morocco
Morocco are one of the dark horses for the World Cup and will look to make the most of Portugal’s meeting with Spain in the Group B opener. Drawn alongside Iran, a positive result in the Atlas Lions’ first match would go a long way to securing a spot in the next round of the World Cup. Morocco’s key man is understandably Hakim Ziyech and for good reason. He ranked first for key passes (142) and assists (15) in the Eredivisie this season and the Ajax star has a key role to play this summer.

However, while Ziyech will attract a hefty amount of interest from opponents, his teammates could exploit the space that’ll open up, none more so than young winger Amine Harit. With Sofiane Boufal overlooked by Herve Renard this summer, Harit’s speed and trickery down the flanks is crucial. He completed a respectable 53 dribbles in the Bundesliga this season, and was the second most fouled player (94) in Germany’s top tier.

The 20-year-old’s pace will set Morocco on the front foot and opponents evidently struggle to keep Harit in check. Three goals and three assists was a respectable return for high-flying Schalke and he certainly has the means to make a sustained impact in Russia next month. Morocco need to hit the ground running in order to progress beyond the group stage and the winger has what it takes to ensure safe passage to the last-16.

Gonçalo Guedes - Portugal
Portugal have a host of attacking talent in their bid to follow in the footsteps of France and Portugal in holding both the European Championship and World Cup, with Cristiano Ronaldo the star man. He’s the Champions League’s top scorer, with 15 goals, and has 25 league goals to his name, a respectable return given his indifferent start to the campaign. Fernando Santos, though, is blessed with ample personnel in the final third.

Ricardo Quaresma, Nelson Martins and Bernardo Silva have all enjoyed fine seasons, yet Gonçalo Guedes is the player opponents need to treat with caution. The 21-year-old has been exceptional for Valencia this season, scoring four and assisting nine as Los Che secured a Champions League return. His loan arrival from PSG wasn’t greeted with fanfare, but his campaign warrants celebration and despite limited international experience, he very much deserves his place in the Portugal squad.

He’ll hope to be handed a chance to impress by Santos at the World Cup, yet Portugal can be confident Guedes will put defences on the back foot. 2.4 successful dribbles per game, as per WhoScored.com, is one of the better returns in La Liga this season and as his goals and assists returns suggests, the Portuguese youngster isn’t one to run with the ball for the sake of it. Ronaldo is Portugal’s main man this summer, but Guedes is very much Santos’ secret weapon.

Cristian Pavon - Argentina
Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli has no shortage of attacking options ahead of the World Cup. They may have laboured in their qualification for the World Cup, yet their attack line is the best in world football. Lionel Messi is the star man, yet beyond the Barcelona sensation, Sampoali is able to call upon Gonzalo Higauin, Sergio Aguero, Mauro Icardi, Paulo Dybala, Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria.

However, it’s a name closer to home who is more or less guaranteed a place when Sampoali cuts his squad down to 23. Cristian Pavon, who Arsenal fans may be familiar with after they were linked with  a move for the 22-year-old at the turn of the year, is expected to have a splendid season capped off with a place the Argentina squad. Pavon registered more assists (11) than any other player in the Superliga this season as Boca Juniors landed yet another domestic title.

His versatility on the frontline is a huge bonus for Sampaoli and offers Argentina an additional attacking threat that is comfortable down the middle or on either flank. After a stunning domestic campaign, he has the means to really announce himself to the watching world. As perhaps one final roll of the dice if needed, Argentina can do a lot worse than Pavon this summer.

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