'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Some players are just born to be superstars. Every breath, every word is documented and analysed by the press to limitless extents. The biggest names in world football such as Messi, Ronaldo, and Neymar instantly come to mind. For one reason or another, you can be sure to always find these players at the centre of attention, and with good reason, for they are the ones that bring the moments of magic to the game we all love, without which, it would certainly be incomplete, but that is a discussion for another time.
On the opposite end of the spectrum are the silent guardians, the unsung heroes, who continue to do their jobs with consistency, almost never featuring in the spotlight. Working their socks off week in-week out, yes, these players may not produce the same 'wow' moments that we all so crave, but one thing that they do bring to the table is assurance, which is arguably as important to any successful team as the star players themselves. These are the players in world football, according to their position, who get the work done brilliantly but often fly under the radar.
(All Stats via WhoScored)
GK: Samir Handanovic- Inter Milan
When we talk about top goalkeepers in the world, names like Neuer, Buffon, De Gea and Courtois often come to mind. One name that often goes unnoticed is Samir Handanovic. Retiring from international duty in 2015 to usher in the brilliant Jan Oblak, the Slovenian has been a key figure between the sticks for the Nerazzurri for a long time now. A firm fan favourite in the San Siro, the veteran shot-stopper has been in the thick of the action once again this season. Often the one to bail his team out of situations where conceding a goal looked almost inevitable, the Inter faithful can count on his brilliance in the near future, with his contract recently extended to 2021. Gathering an average rating of 7.8 for the 2017/18 season and keeping 16 clean sheets in Serie A, Handanovic was one of the key figures in making sure Champions League football comes back to the San Siro.
LB: Filipe Luis- Atletico Madrid
With the presence of Marcelo and Jordi Alba in La Liga, we often find Filipe Luis not getting the attention he deserves. The veteran full-back has been a consistent performer for Atleti since time immemorial, a solid defender and more than capable going forward as well. Out of action due to injury during the business end of the season, the veteran's experience was surely missed in big games for Atletico. He was on the receiving end of a solid 7.6 rating and completed 4.2 tackles and 1.6 clearances per game. Now part of the Brazil World Cup squad, one of the favourites to win the whole thing, Filipe Luis will be hoping for a strong campaign and will be aiming to bring the World Cup back to Brazil again.
CB: Harry Maguire- Leicester City
Signed for 17M from Hull at the beginning of the season, not much was expected from Maguire, who was to his credit quite solid for Hull last season, but ultimately could not save them from the drop. In hindsight though, the move has proved to be a shrewd piece of business for Leicester. The Yorkshire born Centre Half has seemingly taken his game to a whole new level since arriving at the King Power Stadium, completing approximately 2 tackles, 5 clearances and 1 block per game in the Premier League, and also chipping in attacking wise with 2 goals and 4 assists. Adding to his impressive performances this season, Maguire has seemingly cemented his place in the national team setup too, starting both of England's games so far. If current form is anything to go by, one can surely put their money on Harry Maguire developing into one of his club and country's most prized assets in the near future.
CB: Kalidou Koulibaly- Napoli
Signed from Genk in 2014, the French-born Senegalese Centre Half soon established himself as a consistent performer in Serie A. Nicknamed 'The Wall' by the adoring Neopolitans, Koulibaly has elevated his game to the next level this season and was one of the leading pioneers in Napoli's push for the Scudetto, keeping things sure at the back with approximately 2 tackles, 3 clearances and 1 interception per game, also proving to be a useful asset for set plays with 5 goals and 1 assist . Displaying brilliant anticipation, versatility, and strength, Koulibaly has been getting the job done in defence while the Insigne and co. wreak havoc at the other end. Recently making the decision to play Senegal instead of France, the loss of Les Bleus has surely been the Lions' gain, with the big centre-half putting in good performances in the games Senegal have played so far in Russia.
RB: Sergi Roberto- FC Barcelona
After the sudden departure of Dani Alves in 2016, Barca effectively found themselves in a crisis at the right back position, with their only other natural right back being Douglas, who was out on loan to Sporting Gijon. The times called for a saviour, and the versatile Sergi Roberto proved to be just that for the Blaugrana. Naturally a midfielder, showcasing brilliant reading and technical prowess, Roberto has acted as a major asset for Valverde in both defence and attack, and has come quite some way in making the position truly 'his own', showcasing his well-rounded technical ability, making 2.1 tackles per game and 1.2 interceptions, along with a 90% pass accuracy, registering 7 assists too. Unfortunate to miss out on a ticket to Russia with the Spain squad for the World Cup despite his good performances, Roberto will undoubtedly be focusing on the next season with Barca.
CM: Koke- Atletico Madrid
An ever-present for Atleti in the engine room for a few years now, Koke is a real box-to-box midfielder if there ever was one. Earning above average stats for both attacking and defensive aspects consistently, Koke is one of Diego Simeone's most trusted players in the team, and it's not tough to see why, with him bagging 6 goals and 7 assists, and completing his defensive duties too, registering 2 tackles, 1 interception and 1 clearance per 90 minutes. Being the subject of transfer speculation almost every window, Koke currently has no plans to leave his beloved Atleti, and turning just 26 this year, the only way from here is up. Being part of the midfield in a country with such an abundance of Midfield talent is no small feat in itself, but Koke will be hoping, like all of his teammates, to right the wrongs of the 2014 World Cup and ultimately go on to Win the trophy come July.
CM: Fernandinho- Manchester City
Despite the wealth of attacking talent at Pep Guardiola's disposal this season, Fernandinho is perhaps the most vital cog in the City machine without which they would not be able to exert dominance on the game the same way. Acting as a fulcrum for the team, Fernandinho provides both defensive stability at the back and is certainly no slouch when it comes to bursting forward when the opportunity presents itself, putting in approximately 2 tackles per game, paired up with a passing accuracy of 90%, also registering 5 goals and 3 assists. Possessing the ability to play as a Central Defender along with his usual midfield role, Fernandinho also offers Pep Guardiola options to experiment with multiple formations depending on the way a game is going. A part of the Brazil squad for the World Cup, so far, Fernandinho has found playing time to be scarce, but as the business end of the tournament approaches, he is sure to be pivotal for Tite's side.
RW: Florian Thauvin- Olympique de Marseille
Coming back to home soil after a turbulent period at Newcastle in the Premier League, Florian Thauvin has got back to his best for Marseille. Loved by the Velodrome crowd, Thauvin is once again producing the wonderful football that made him one of lured in Newcastle a few years ago, making the France squad for the showpiece event in Russia. Looking at how much quality and depth they have for every position, is enough to give you a picture of just how good Thauvin has been this season. In a league where Neymar and PSG often make the headlines, Florian Thauvin has been silently racking up the goals and assists in the background. In fact, a ridiculous stat to give you a clearer picture of just how good he's been lately, Thauvin finished the season with 25 goals and 13 assists in all competitions, only behind Messi, Salah, and Suarez in Europe. Now a part of Didier Deschamps's France roster, he has so far found playing time to be few and far between, but with the France team qualifying for the knockout stages, Thauvin can be a vital cog in Deschamps's system as a super-sub or even a possible starter in the near future.
CAM: Son Heung Min- Tottenham Hotspur
In a team where Harry Kane and Dele Alli often take the plaudits for a good performance, Son's regular brilliance more often than not gets overshadowed. Showcasing brilliant form this season, Son has taken his game to a whole new level, bagging 22 goals and 6 assists in all competitions along with an average passing accuracy of 85%, often the one to put in big performances and producing moments of brilliance to bail his Spurs side out when they looked devoid of ideas and solutions. He has been in fine form for his national team as well, helping them qualify for the World Cup, and the Koreans will be hoping he will be able to replicate his fine form for them to have any hope of getting through a tricky group.
LW: Hirving Lozano- PSV Eindhoven
Hirving Lozano is the living embodiment of every Mexican kid's dream, a player that worked his way up through the ranks in Mexico and is now making waves in Europe, Lozano has enjoyed a very fruitful 2017/18 season, capped off by winning the Eredivisie with PSV. Gathering plaudits from many with his impressive performances, Lozano has registered 23 goals and 9 assists in all competitions, which are above average stats for a winger paired up with the work rate that he offers his side, putting in about 1.1 tackles and interceptions per game as well, and he has been duly rewarded for his efforts, securing 8 MOTM awards through the course of the season. Evidently, Lozano has managed to successfully emulate his club form for his national team as well, scoring Mexico's winning goal against holders Germany, and also registering an assist in their 2nd game against South Korea. Mexicans will certainly be hoping he will be able to keep his form if Mexico is to have any hope of getting past Brazil in their round of 16 clash. Due to turn 23 in July, Lozano certainly has time on his side, and if he keeps these performances up, it will only be a matter of time until we see him don the colours of one of Europe's Elite.
ST: Dries Mertens- SSC Napoli
Following a change in position to Centre-Forward following a long-term injury to striker Arkadiusz Milik last season, Dries Mertens has evidently made the position his very own and has gone from occasional starter to the darling of the San Paolo. Not the highest scoring centre-forward in the league by any stretch, but the value he holds in Maurizio Sarri's adventurous Napoli side is immense. Dropping into midfield and creating overloads, Mertens' is never one to be caught slacking, and possessing blistering pace and excellent technical ability, Mertens is the ideal fit for a side like Napoli, with the excellent midfield and attacking assets that they possess. A key player for Roberto Martinez's Belgium, Mertens has so far started both games for his country and gone on to score one of the goals of the tournament so far. Excellent stats such as 23 goals and 10 assists through the course of the season have secured 9 MOTM awards for Mertens and supporters will surely be awaiting more of the same come next season.
