Christian Atsu (Ghana)
One
of Chelsea’s legion of loanees at Dutch outfit Vitesse, 22-year-old
Atsu picked up the fans’ Player of the Year award at his temporary home
and could win more admirers in Brazil with his trickery both down the
wing and in a more central role.
Despite
only making his international debut two years ago, Atsu has quickly
built up 21 caps for his country and will want to use the world stage to
impress Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
He
has been dubbed the ‘African Messi’ by Ghanaians and even if they
struggle in a tough group with Germany, Portugal and USA as rivals, Atsu
should get opportunities to show off his pace on the counter.
Time to shine: Chelsea fans will be eager to watch Christian Atsu in action for Ghana this summer
Bernard (Brazil)
Despite
a tough season in Ukraine, with problems on and off the field, the
21-year-old made it into Luiz Felipe Scolari’s on the back of his past
electric cameos for the Seleção.
Coming
off the bench, Bernard will be expected both to take advantage of space
when Brazil are leading games and to help break down sides when the
host nation are chasing with his intelligent play which will be key to
changing the flow of games.
Sofiane Feghouli (Algeria)
Algeria
will be far from favourites in Brazil but having convinced talented
right-sided attacking midfielder Feghouli to choose to play for them
rather than France adds an impressive string to their bow.
With
his blistering pace and dribbling skills, Feghouli will be one to watch
in Group H and has an eye for goal, as shown against Sevilla in the
Europa League semi-finals and in the five goals he already has for his
country.
Feghouli
has criticised for his inconsistency and was subbed off on his only
appearance on British soil against Swansea but the World Cup should
bring out the best of him in a well-balanced side.
Star man: In Algeria team lacking world class talent, Valencia's Sofiane Feghouli is the one to watch
Julian Green (United States)
Having
only changed nationality after playing for a series of German youth
sides in March, Green has just two caps for the US under Jurgen
Klinsmann.
The
19-year-old made his debut for Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich and his
impressed to an extent that Tottenham have identified him as a target to
add some bite to Mauricio Pochettino’s new look midfield.
Having
made it into the US roster ahead of Landon Donovan the pressure is on
Green, who is likely to be utilised as an impact substitute where his
pace will trouble tiring defenders.
Mateo Kovacic (Croatia)
All
the fuss about Croatia’s midfield pre-tournament has been about
creative sparks Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, so much so that their
20-year-old crucial cog in midfield has almost been ignored.
Interest
from Manchester United and Liverpool brought his name into the public
eye and despite a difficult start to the season, Kovacic has been
quietly improving in a struggling Inter Milan side.
His
combination of tidy passing and strong tackling in midfield is likely
to draw more admirers this summer, both from Premier League managers and
those watching on at home.
Divock Origi (Belgium)
Origi
is one of only two out-and-out strikers for Belgium alongside Romelu
Lukaku and having been nurtured as Lille’s new ‘prince’ after the
departure of Eden Hazard.
Just
19 years old, Origi has the potential to be the complete package:
matching his height with agility, trickery and a powerful shot. His pace
stretches defences while his frame leaves markers constantly occupied.
He
offers the Red Devils another dimension to their play and although his
talent is still very raw, he is the kind of player that often thrives in
the spotlight that only a World Cup can provide.
Goalscorer: Divock Origi had a fine season in France, and will now be looking to shine for Belgium in Brazil
James Rodriguez (Colombia)
It
seems strange that a £36million player could go under the radar but
Monaco’s lack of European football meant that Rodriguez slightly avoided
the spotlight this year.
The
22-year-old pulls the strings in midfield for club and country and his
impressive turn of pace will get fans in Brazil off their seats –
provided he gets space now that injured team-mate Radamel Falcao won’t
be the centre of the defenders’ attention.
The
pressure is on Columbia’s primary creative force in Falcao’s absence
but if he can handle that and match his performances that put him into
the Ligue 1 team of the season, Rodriguez’s drive could help guide his
country through the latter stages.
Splashed the cash: £36m Monaco star James Rodriguez pulls the strings for Colombia in midfield
Ricardo Rodriguez (Switzerland)
Switzerland’s
place as a top seed in the World Cup draw was ridiculed but their young
players will be on a mission in Brazil to prove that seeding right –
with Rodriguez keen to keep up their typically strong defensive record.
The
left back helped Wolfsburg to a fifth place finish in the Bundesliga
and is one of that rare breed that fans tend to love: a full back with
an eye for goal.
Rodriguez
is a free-kick specialist and finished the season with five league
goals coupled with nine assists and will be looking for his first goal
on the international stage this summer.
Solid: Ricardo Rodriguez has impressed at left-back for Switzerland and Wolfsburg despite his young age
Son Heung-min (South Korea)
South
Korea’s squad is full of young players but Son is the brightest star
after four seasons in the Bundesliga at the age of just 21.
Blessed
with two good feet and great pace, the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder has
the skillset to be a danger to any of the sides in Group H.
He
has been criticised for taking too many shots – but that should prove
entertaining on the big stage and if he can convert a couple of those
efforts South Korea could cause upsets.
Talented: Son Heung-Min's dribbling skills from midfield make him South Korea's main attacking threat
Georginio Wijnaldum (Holland)
For
years Wijnaldum was flagged up by Football Manager devotees as one to
watch, but his entire career so far has been spent in the Dutch
Eredivisie with Feyenoord and more recently PSG.
The
23-year-old prefers to play as a central playmaker but might find
competition fierce there with Wesley Sneijder still running the show in
midfield – and instead could be left to cut in from out wide or to make
an impact from the bench.
Injury
absence this season should leave him fresh to impress at the World Cup
and the PSV captain will be keen to show off the silky skills that had
Brendan Rodgers interested earlier this year.
Hard work: Blessed as a teenager, Georginio Wijnaldum has finally lived up to his early promise for the Netherlands
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