5. William Carvalho
Bursting onto the scene right before the 2014 World Cup, big things were expected of Sporting Lisbon’s defensive midfielder, William Carvalho. He was part of the 2014 World Cup team, but his performances proved underwhelming as the whole team crashed out in the group stages. Two years on, he was a vital part of the team as they won the Euros in France, playing the whole 120 minutes of the final against France. The now 26 year-old was expected to move on to a bigger club but stayed on and now captains the Lisbon outfit.
His stock was never higher after the 2016 Euros with Sporting underperforming in both European competitions and in the domestic league – having not won the league since 2002. A good showing at the World Cup could spark interest in the talented Angolan-born Portuguese star and lead to him fulfilling his potential at another European club.
4. Milan Badelj
At 29, Croatian midfielder Milan Badelj has just left Fiorentina on a free after four years at the club. According to reports, he could be set to join compatriot Ivan Strinic as new arrivals at AC Milan but no deal is yet to be concluded. Badelj was touted as one of the best young midfield prospects in the world when he moved from Hajduk Split to Hamburg in 2012, but he failed to live up to the immense potential he undoubtedly possesses.
As a free agent, it might be in his best interest not to conclude any deals until after the World Cup is over. A strong showing as part of an impressive looking Croatian side could result in calls from big clubs across Europe.
3. Younes Belhanda
There were high hopes for Younes Belhanda when he and Olivier Giroud helped Montpellier to their first, and as of yet only, French Ligue 1 title back in 2011/12, however, things haven’t exactly gone according to plan for the Moroccan playmaker. The mercurial Moroccan is 28 now and plies his trade at Galatasaray, having joined last summer. He is adept at playing across the midfield and capable of the spectacular. At 28 now, his could be his last chance of earning a big move to one of Europe’s elite after years in the wilderness.
The last two seasons of his career have been the best since his Montpellier days, helping Nice into the Champions League in 2017 before winning the Turkish Super Lig with Galatasaray this past season. Morocco need him to be at his best if they are to have any hope of qualifying out of a group also including the likes of Spain and Portugal.
2. Marcos Rojo
Injuries and poor form restricted Marcos Rojo to only nine league appearances for Manchester United this past season. However, the 28-year old has been a mainstay in the Argentinean line-up for years now. Capable of playing at both centre-back and left-back, he played all but one game of the 2014 World Cup, every game at the 2015 Copa America, and all but one game at the 2016 Copa America Centenario. Rojo has been at Old Trafford for four years now, having been brought in by Louis Van Gaal, but his time could be up at the Manchester club.
He has only made 68 Premier League appearances in his four years at United, failing to stand out among an average backline. Should Jose Mourinho deem him surplus to requirements, being an integral part of the Argentinean defence that bids to end the country’s 32 year wait for a third World Cup could be the opportunity Marcos Rojo needs to impress other clubs and seal a move elsewhere if his time at Old Trafford is indeed up.
Koke has now registered 55 assists in LaLiga since 2012/13; only Lionel Messi has more (66).
Set-piece expert. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/dcJcQEVnHD
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 19, 2017
1. Koke
Atlético Madrid’s runs to the Champions League finals of 2014 and 2016 saw a team effort with Koke in hot form, chipping in with 7 goals and 18 assists in 2014 as well as 5 and 17 in 2016. However, his form has dipped in the past two seasons, managing only 11 goals and 17 assists in 105 overall appearances.
For Atlético to return to their jaw-dropping tactical best that we saw 2013-16, they need all of their main men to be firing and if Koke can find the form that made him one of the most coveted midfielders in all of Europe a few years ago, Atlético will have another wildcard on their hands. The World Cup will also be a good time for him to break his duck for Spain, having not scored in 34 appearances for La Roja so far.
A reduced version of this article, written by the same author, was published in the Express Tribune on 11th June: LINK