10. Ahmed Musa
Pace merchant Ahmed Musa was once regarded as one of the best African forwards playing in Europe and a move to the then Premier League champions, Leicester City, in 2016 seemed to cement that. However, he has failed to push on after moving to England, only managing 5 goals in 33 games in 18 months before returning on loan to old club, CSKA Moscow. A return to his old stomping ground in Russia may have been exactly what the doctor ordered for the 25-year old as he has hit form just at the right time (and at the right venues) for his country’s World Cup hopes.
He hit 9 goals in 23 for the Moscow-based club in six months as he looks set to return to Leicester from his loan spell. Nigeria need him to be firing on all cylinders if they wish to have any chance of getting past Argentina, Iceland and Croatia in what is being called by many as this year’s group of death. A successful return at the tournament should help boost his chances of first-team football at Leicester and a possible partnership up front with compatriot Kelechi Iheanacho.
Only two players have completed over 30 take-ons in the Europa League this season:
Nabil Fekir (32)
Adnan Januzaj (32) pic.twitter.com/KO8CkTgbZo— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 16, 2018
9. Adnan Januzaj
Once touted as the next great #11 of Manchester United as he donned the famous jersey of Ryan Giggs, Adnan Januzaj turned out to be nothing more than a one-season wonder at Old Trafford. His best came under David Moyes’ cursed nine-month reign as Manchester United boss before floundering under Louis Van Gaal and getting shipped out to Real Sociedad in Spain last summer. This permanent transfer was preceded by two highly unsuccessful loan spells at Borussia Dortmund and Sunderland as the young Belgian failed to replicate the form that made Manchester United hand him the iconic #11 shirt.
On the back of his great 2013/14 season under David Moyes, he earned a spot in the Belgian squad for the 2014 World Cup, playing 60 minutes in a group game against South Korea. Four years on, he enjoyed another good season, at the best time possible, just before the World Cup and he made it onto the plane to Russia. Still only 23, Januzaj has time on his side and if he can build on his encouraging performances for Sociedad this past season, he could attract the attention of bigger clubs post-World Cup and earn another chance at glory in the future.
8. Alan Dzagoev
Diminutive Russian playmaker, Alan Dzagoev, was once said to be the Russian Messi. However, the now 27 year-old has failed to live up to the billing throughout his career, having been at CSKA Moscow for 10 years now. Dzagoev’s development has been blighted with injury problems, but he has still shown flashes of brilliance during his time with the club. He is an experienced Russian international now with 57 caps and 9 goals to his name.
At his best, he has the ability to unlock any defence while toying with the opposition defenders. In 10 years at CSKA, he has made 331 appearances, scoring 74 goals and assisting 88 times, a record which would be the envy of many. There could still be time for Dzagoev to seal one big move and enter the spotlight – a lot like another Russian did, moving to Arsenal after a successful Euro 2008.
7. Fernando Muslera
Uruguay’s undisputed #1 had, for many years, been considered one of the best goalkeepers outside of the top European leagues – having kept goal for Turkish giants Galatsaray for the past seven years. He was linked with a move abroad to a bigger club on many occasions but chose to stay loyal to the Istanbul club. However, his stock has never been at a lower point with many claiming that, at 31, he is past his best with Argentine giants Boca Juniors being linked with a move for the Uruguayan.
Muslera is an experienced international, capped 96 times by his country while having made almost 400 senior appearances for Lazio and Galatasaray throughout his career. An inspired performance in Russia against Mo Salah and co. could help boost the odds of a career revival and possibly ignite one final move to a bigger European club.
6. Raphael Guerreiro
French-born Portuguese full-back, Raphael Guerreiro, was said to be a great gain for Portugal when he opted to play for the Iberians. He was part of the European Championship winning squad of 2016, while joining German giants Borussia Dortmund at the same time. However, injuries have severely dented the progress of the 24-year old Portuguese left-back, restricting him to only 6 starts and 9 league appearances in total this past season. Guerreiro, on his day, is deadly from long-range while bombing up and down the left wing.
He is a major attacking threat for any team, as shown by his first season in Germany, when he managed seven goals and nine assists in 35 overall appearances. A fully-fit Guerreiro will be a major asset for the Portuguese team and for Borussia Dortmund next season.