10 players we feel will provide some sparkling displays in Brazil this summer.
Eden Hazard (Belgium)
The 23 year old has been in marvelous form this term and will be a pivotal part of Marc Wilmots Belgian squad as they look to make a real impact on the world stage.
Belgium are considered the dark horses for the tournament and arguably thus far Hazard has failed to deliver on a consistent enough basis for his country, scoring just five goals in 42 appearances.
Luis Suarez (Uruguay)
Liverpool man will go into the finals as perhaps the most in-form player on the planet and will be part of a lethal Uruguay attack alongside Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan in Oscar Tabarez’s side.
Though Uruguay stumbled into the finals, needing to defeat Australia in a play-off, the South American side will be tough to beat in Brazil.
Edin Dzeko (Bosnia)
If Bosnia are to make an impact in the 2014 World Cup, their first finals, then the Man City man will be a big part of any success they achieve.
We can see the Man City man bit-part player bagging goals in Group F as they take on Argentina, Nigeria and Iran.
33 goals in 58 appearances for his country shows just how much it means for Dzeko to represent Bosnia.
Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)
If Ivory Coast are to get through their group, having failed to do so in 2006 and 2010, then Yaya Toure will be a key performer.
The powerhouse midfielder has been in astounding form this term and is sure to be one of the key performers in Brazil as Ivory Coast take on Greece, Colombia and Japan in an interesting group.
Oscar (Brazil)
We believe the Chelsea playmaker could be a massive player for the host nation and a player who will shine in Felipe Scolari’s squad.
His form at Stamford Bridge was such that Jose Mourinho was comfortable enough to sell Juan Mata to Man United. The flair player has shown maturity beyond his years since moving to Stamford Bridge, having made over 100 appearances in his first 18 months at the West London club, scoring goals and providing assists with regularity.
Robin Van Persie (Holland)
The Old Trafford star reminded the world what he is capable of with his hat-trick against Olympiakos and is sure to be a contender for the Golden Boot in Brazil.
The Dutch face Spain, Chile and Australia in a tough group but we can well imagine Van Persie leading Louis van Gaal’s side into the latter stages of the tournament, perhaps even all the way to the final.
Van Persie finished the top scorer in the European qualification programme for the finals, firing in 11 goals.
Gary Medel (Chile)
The robust midfielder has been a virtual ever present in his first season in the Premier League with relegation threatened Cardiff City and think he could be a key performer for Chile.
Whether playing a defensive or midfield role the tough tackler could be a crucial member of Jorge Sampaoli’s squad as they look to overcome Spain, Holland and Australia in the group stages.
Luis Antonio Valencia (Ecuador)
The experienced winger will captain his country in Brazil and is a player with a fair bit of responsibility on his broad shoulders.
Ecuador face Switzerland, France and Honduras in Group E and the Man United winger, who has had an up and down time of it this term, may well feel an easing of pressure once his club campaign, which has been fairly disastrous, comes to an end before the finals.
Mesut Ozil (Germany)
It’s been a trying debut season for Arsenal’s record signing, starting the campaign in explosive fashion before suffering with injury and form issues in recent months.
There may be an easing of pressure when he puts on his national team jersey and Joachim Low will be looking to the 25 year old to provide the creative spark for Die Mannschaft.
Tim Howard (Everton)
The American keeper has been in superb form this term, helping Roberto Martinez’s side to secure one of the best defensive records in the Premier League.
The 35 year old has kept ten clean sheets this term and will need to be at his best as the United States come up against Germany, Portugal and Ghana in Group G.
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