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The World Cup is a good time to scout players and quite often some of the tournament’s standout performers, especially youngsters, are the subject of interest from several top clubs across Europe.
For instance, in 2014, James Rodriguez earned a dream move to Real Madrid after winning the Golden Boot and helping Colombia progress to the quarterfinals.
The World Cup in Russia has been outstanding for various reasons and the underdogs have surprised us on several occasions. As a result, some players who are usually not in the limelight have taken centre stage.
Since the World Cup is going on, the Premier League clubs have been very quiet with their transfer business. But you can expect more deals in the coming days as many teams have already been knocked out.
On that note, take a look at five players who have performed at the World Cup and could improve the Premier League’s big 6.
#5 Yerry Mina
Clubs that should target him: Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs
The towering Colombian defender joined Barcelona in January 2018 but he has only played 6 games for the Catalan side and finds himself behind Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti in the pecking order.
Mina is a ball playing defender with fantastic athleticism. Standing tall and 6 ft 5 in, the Colombian is a nightmare to play against when he is on the top of his game.
The 23-year-old hasn’t been able to convince Ernesto Valverde that he has a future at the club and he also takes up one of Barcelona’s Non-EU spots. If Barcelona are to sign another non-European player, then Mina could be the first one to make way.
Mina is also a huge threat from set-piece situations and he demonstrated that at the World Cup by scoring crucial goals in the wins over Poland and Senegal to take Colombia through as group toppers.
Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs could do with a new centre-back in the summer and he has been linked with a move to Liverpool already.
Mina will provide Liverpool with another terrific option to play alongside Virgil van Dijk and the pair has the potential to be world class. As for Arsenal, Laurent Koscielny is out injured until the end of the year, Shkodran Mustafi has been unreliable and their remaining defenders are yet to prove themselves at the big stage.
The Gunners haven’t signed a new centre-back yet and Mina could prove to be a long-term solution. Their archrivals, Tottenham, could also do with a new centre-back given the uncertainty on the future of Toby Alderweireld. If Mina moves to Spurs, he will have the chance to play alongside his compatriot Davinson Sanchez.
#4 Aleksandr Golovin
Clubs that should target him: Chelsea and Spurs
Aleksandr Golovin is the biggest talent to come out of Russia in recent years and he has shown why there is so much hype surrounding him at the World Cup.
Golovin maybe already on his way to Chelsea as there are rumours of a strong interest in the player from the London side. Considering Roman Abramovich’s contacts in Russia and with CSKA Moscow, it would be relatively easy for Chelsea to wrap up a deal for the 22-year-old.
Although he is a versatile player, his best position is in the centre of the midfield. His dribbling skills, vision and defensive contribution makes him an ideal player to partner a defensive midfielder.
He could prove to be an ideal replacement for Cesc Fabregas at Chelsea in the long run and he has the skills in his arsenal to complement a player like N’Golo Kante.
At Spurs, he will have the chance to work with a manager who has turned some youngsters into stars and if they part ways with Moussa Dembele as rumoured, then it makes sense for the North London side to replace The Belgian with a much younger central midfielder. However, Golovin will offer something different compared to Dembele.
#3 Benjamin Pavard
Clubs that should target him: Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs.
As we have already discussed, Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs could do with a new defender for varied reasons. However, in Pavard’s case, Manchester United also comes into the picture.
Pavard is capable of playing as a centre-back or as a right-back. He has predominantly played in the former position at club level but has been deployed as a right-back for France at the World Cup.
Pavard has earned praise for his reading of the game, his tactical awareness and maturity which defies his age. The 22-year-old played every minute of the 2017-18 Bundesliga season and helped Stuttgart finish a strong 7th immediately after getting promoted.
He would be a perfect addition for Manchester United as he can form a potent partnership with Eric Bailly or fill in for the ageing Antonio Valencia at right-back.
#2 Ante Rebic
Clubs that should target him: All the Big 6 clubs
Croatia have earned rave reviews with their performance at the World Cup and despite the stars in the side, Ante Rebic has earned a lot of praise.
The Eintracht Frankfurt winger is capable of playing on either side and could add depth and quality to all of the Premier League’s big six sides.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Rebic has outperformed Ivan Perisic who is older and far more experienced. His pace, movement, work rate and dribbling have all stood out in Croatia’s games so far.
Manchester City have been unable to wrap up a deal for Riyad Mahrez and Rebic could prove to be a cheaper alternative. Manchester United, on the other hand, are in dire need of natural wide players and Rebic could come cheaper than Perisic who they targeted last summer.
Arsenal and Spurs also need more pace down their wings while Chelsea need an upgrade on Pedro Rodriguez and a contingency plan in case Willian leaves. At Liverpool, Rebic may have to settle for a backup role to Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah but Jurgen Klopp is keen on adding another wide man to his side.
#1 Hirving Lozano
Clubs that should target him: All the Big 6 clubs
Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano is only 22-year-old and has earned heaps of praises from around the globe thanks to his excellent show for Mexico at the World Cup.
Lozano has a goal and assist to his name at the World Cup and it was his goal that helped Mexico defeat Germany in their opening game.
Lozano started his professional career with Pachuca in Mexico and he scored 43 goals in 149 games for the club of which 30 goals were scored in his last two seasons across 85 games.
He moved to PSV last summer and won the league title in his first season. Lozano’s contribution to the title-winning side was huge. He scored 17 goals and provided 9 assists which made him the club’s top scorer and leading assist provided, the league’s 5th highest goalscorer and the league’s eight best assist provider.
The pacey winger is capable of playing on either side of the pitch, is a set-piece specialist and an excellent crosser. He would definitely be a terrific addition to any of the big six sides and the reasons are the same as stated for Ante Rebic.
