Eight young players set to take the World Cup by storm.
Every tournament there are players who catch the eye that club teams will look to snap up during the transfer window. This year is no different, and here is one player from every group that everyone will be going crazy for in a months time.
Group A:
Cameroon – Vincent Aboubakar
Aboubakar has exploded onto the scene this year with Ligue 1 side Lorient, where he has enjoyed a prolific campaign in which he chalked up 16 goals in 35 appearances. He has since been linked with a move to Arsenal, but any interested parties will be keeping a close eye on him over the course of the tournament. The 22-year-old already has 24 caps to his name, but in a start contrast from his domestic form has scored just twice for his country. Cameroon have been tasked with a tough group this year, so they will be looking toward him to find his scoring boots quickly.
Group B
Holland – Memphis Depay
The tricky Dutch forward is going to be a huge star in the game if his current form is anything to go by, and he will be hoping to make a positive impassion on the international stage. Already with six cpas to his name, the talented 20-year-old can use his awesome upper body strength to pair with his outrageous flair and unflappable confidence to terrorise opposition full-backs. Undoubtedly the jewell in the crown of Holland’s young squad, he could very well put himself in the shop window at the tournament this year.
Group C
Ivory Coast – Serge Aurier
The 21-year-old has already come to the interest of Arsenal fans having been linked with a move to the Emirates to take over from the departing Bacary Sagna. The 21-year-old has been in impressive form for Toulouse this season, and will now get a chance to show what he can do against the world’s best. Having only been in the first team squad since last June, he may still be a little naive, but a talent such as his will be able to channel that raw ability into some great performances, and like Depay in Group B, he has the chance to put himself in the shop window.
Group D
England – Raheem Sterling
Sterling has quickly gone from being a talented youngster with an attitude problem to a potential world beater in the space of just nine months. Having taken a regular starting role at Liverpool, he has since broken into Roy Hodgson’s thoughts and does not look like leaving them anytime soon. He is one of the key components of England’s exciting new look side and could have a huge impact on the way the side play with his fearless running and flamboyant skill.
Group E
France – Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann is the player tasked with filling the shoes of star man Franck Ribery after he was ruled out of the tournament. It may be a daunting task, but the 23-year-old will be up to it as his displays in the Champions League this season have shown that he is one for the big occasion. Already been tipped to leave Sociedad this summer, the World Cup will provide him with the perfect opportunity to show that he does have that star quality that so many pundits claim he possesses.
Group F
Bosnia – Sead Kolasinac
The 20-year-old German-born Bosnian is a left-back with impressive physical strength, and a no nonsense approach in terms of defensive play. He will be a winger’s worst nightmare and what’s worse (for the wingers, not his teammates) is that he is coming into the tournament off the back of a strong domestic campaign with Schalke. His performances had caught the attention of Manchester United before their interest in Southampton’s Luke Shaw became concrete and it would be no surprise to see a whole host of clubs keen to bag his signature should he perform to a good standard in Group F.
Group G
USA – Julian Green
Green is a curious case as he has been so highly lauded despite not actually featuring for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga yet. However, US coach Jurgen Klinsmann sought to snap him up and there is now buzz surrounding him akin to that which followed Feddy Adu ten years ago. However, unlike Adu, he has the football education to back him up and if he keeps working as hard as he has been then a starting spot in Bayern’s side won’t be too far off. He is an unknown quantity, and that makes him truly exciting.
Group H
Belgium – Adnan Januzaj
After much brouhaha over where his international allegiance would lie, the Manchester United forward has opted for Belgium to fast track himself into the world’s top tournament. Having only made his debut for the side recently, it is unsure as to whether he will play straight away, but should he get on he will undoubtedly do something interesting when he does.
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