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Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Gilberto Silva. Denilson, El Hadji Diouf, Kleberson. Spot a pattern? All of these players were big-money signings after they excelled in a World Cup. While the first trio continued their World Cup form for their new clubs, the latter group were expensive flops (even Sir Alex Ferguson made mistakes).
Despite no team having played more than two games, there have been several players whose transfer fees have increased significantly due to their performances. The likes of Denis Cheryshev and Hirving Lozano have impressed in such a manner that they have already been linked with several of Europe’s top clubs.
Often it is not the quality or the effort of a player that determines their success at their new clubs but rather their fit with the club. Take the example of James Rodriguez, an excellent player who never fit in Real Madrid’s system.
Madrid’s typical (in 2014) 4-3-3 didn’t fit the Colombian and by the time they switched to a 4-3-1-2, Rodriguez was competing with an excellent player in Isco. While Rodriguez has since flourished after a loan move to Bayern Munich, it goes to show how important fit (tactical and philosophical) is when it comes to signing players.
So what are the ideal clubs for some of the World Cup’s breakout stars?
#7 Hirving Lozano- Juventus
The fact that Hirving Lozano has impressed for Mexico is no real surprise. Several writers (including yours truly) expected the PSV Eindhoven winger to continue his world-beating Eredivisie form in the World Cup.
Nonetheless, Lozano’s play in El Tri’s opening game against defending champions Germany was better than any of his biggest fans could have expected. Lozano scored the winner, but his impact was so much more than that.
The 22-year-old was a constant nuisance for the rather tired German defence, as his intelligent running, creative passing and effective link-up play with Javier Hernandez tore up the German defence on multiple occasions. The Mexican’s statistics were excellent as he made three key passes in only 66 minutes (tied for 6th among players in their first game).
Lozano was also great with the ball at his feet as he made four dribbles in the opening game. For a winger, Lozano also had an absurdly great pass success percentage of 91.6%. Lozano was taken off after 66 minutes, as Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio made defensive changes.
Yet, Lozano’s statistics suggest that he need not have made such a substitution, as the 22-year-old made three tackles and two interceptions- incredible numbers for an attacking winger. While it was only for one game, such a performance against the World Champions suggest an irresistible talent.
Lozano is no one-game wonder, as he was among the best players in the Eredivisie last season. Lozano scored 17 goals and made eight assists in the league last season, as he terrorized defences around the Netherlands. His underlying statistics were also impressive as he averaged 2.4 crosses per game, 2.6 key passes per game and 2.1 dribbles per game.
Such performances had made Lozano a transfer target for several European giants even before the World Cup. Since the game against Germany, this speculation has only increased. In fact, his father has already claimed that there has been an approach by Barcelona. While the Blaugrana would be an interesting fit for the Mexican, perhaps Juventus would be a better fit.
Since switching to a 4-2-3-1, manager Massimiliano Allegri has struggled to find an option on the right-wing as he has alternated between Juan Cuadrado and Federico Bernardeschi. Lozano would be the perfect fit for the Old Lady as he could capitalize on Paulo Dybala’s through balls while providing crosses to Gonzalo Higuaín.
#6 Denis Cheryshev- Atletico Madrid
When Alan Dzagoev went off injured against Saudi Arabia, Russian fans gasped as they wondered about their team’s potential without their creative magician. Dzagoev was once the golden boy of Russia, yet his injury problems prevented him from playing in the 2016 Euros. His replacement was another former exciting young prospect in Denis Cheryshev, who had once been on Real Madrid’s books.
No one (except for maybe Cheryshev himself) would have imagined that eight days later, the Villareal midfielder would be regarded as one of the players of the tournament so far (with the 3rd highest player rating).
His brace against Saudi Arabia included two goals (especially the second) that any player in the world would have been proud of. His performance against Egypt was equally brilliant as the Russian helped put the game out of Egypt’s reach with a composed finish.
Based on Cheryshev’s club performances, one wouldn’t be tipping him for a big money move. The Russian was mainly a substitute for Villareal last year as he only made nine starts in La Liga last season. Yet the nature of the transfer market is such that a few good games in the World Cup can eclipse several average club performances.
For good reason too, it suggests that the player can flourish at the biggest stage. Considering his experience in Spanish football, Cheryshev would be better placed staying in La Liga. In this case, Atletico Madrid would be ideal for the Russian. Diego Simeone’s team recently signed Thomas Lemar to likely play on the left wing in the manager’s trademark 4-4-2.
The Frenchman will likely need a serviceable backup and Cheryshev would be ideal for the position. The Russian’s creativity would add another dimension to Atletico’s usual workmanlike approach. Moreover, his ability to track back also bodes well for a potential future playing for one for Europe’s best defensive sides.
#5 Jose Gimenez- Manchester United
Throughout his managerial career, Jose Mourinho has been able to orchestrate magical runs to the Champions League title by relative underdogs such as Porto and Inter Milan. Yet with Manchester United, the Portuguese manager has spent hundreds of millions of dollars and hasn’t managed to win a Premier League or even get past the Champions League Round of 16.
One major reason why is because Mourinho doesn’t have his usual two world-class centre-backs as he mainly relies on the competent yet inconsistent pair of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.
While Manchester United have signed Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof over the past two summers, the former is injury-prone while the latter has struggled. What Manchester United need is a consistent, intelligent, tough tackling, aerially dominant young centre-back.
To anyone who has watched Uruguay’s first two games (or any Atletico Madrid game), Jose Gimenez is all of those things. While Gimenez has signed a new contract, Mourinho could still sign the Uruguayan if he is willing to break the bank.
The Atletico Madrid defender was excellent while playing for a defensively minded Uruguay team which preferred to defend deep against far inferior opposition in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Gimenez has averaged an outstanding 3 tackles, 5.5 interceptions (second in the tournament) and 4.5 clearances in his two games so far.
The Uruguayan was also extremely disciplined- not diving in and thus winning 85.7% of his tackles. The Atletico Madrid defender has also won 75% of his aerial duels in the tournament.
In fact, the defender has the 8th highest WhoScored player rating in the tournament so far. Did I mention that Gimenez scored a last-minute thundering header to help beat Egypt in Uruguay’s first game of the tournament? Mourinho should pick up his phone right now.
#4 Aleksander Golovin- Arsenal
Aleksandr Golovin is probably the biggest creative talent in the host nation, as he has excelled for both club and country. The youngster has done splendidly in the World Cup as the host nation has gotten off to a dream start.
The Russian’s free-kick to finish off the Saudi Arabia rout ranks among one of the goals of the tournament so far. Golovin also provided two assists in that game, as his pinpoint crosses set up Artem Dzyuba and Yuri Gazinsky for simple headers.
Even more important than Golovin’s goals and assists was the manner in which he managed to dictate the game against both of Russia’s opponents. The Russian has already made five key passes and the simple threat of his creativity has allowed his teammates to flourish.
Golovin looks like an Arsenal player. There were some (however quiet) rumours about a possible move to North London even before the beginning of the World Cup. Those have heightened after the youngster’s brilliance in the World Cup. While a new regime is in place for the Gunners, the club will still try to maintain their identity of playing attractive football with Unai Emery at the helm.
Golovin’s excellent passing and creativity (along with perhaps his laidback nature) fits in with that attacking style. In fact, agent Sandor Varga has claimed that Arsene Wenger is keen to acquire the Russian on his return to club management. That only goes to show that Golovin is such a perfect fit that every Arsenal manager over the past twenty years wants them on his team.
#3 Juan Quintero- Inter Milan
When it comes to Colombia’s attacking talents, most of the discussion surrounds James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado. Yet, another player has emerged for the South Americans over the past few years.
River Plate attacking midfielder Juan Quintero showed his class against Japan. With James Rodriguez not starting because of an injury and Colombia playing with ten men for most of the game, Quintero excelled.
While the Colombian’s performance will mainly be remembered for his goal, Quintero’s performance was so much more than that. He displayed his creative side, creating two chances for his teammates in the encounter.
Quintero also managed to help out on the defensive end for ten-man Colombia as he made two tackles in the game. The Colombian’s excellence in the game suggests that he has what it takes to succeed in Europe’s top leagues.
Young talented players in South American leagues can often be bargain buys for Europe’s most savvy teams. Inter Milan know all about this, having signed club legend Javier Zanetti directly from Argentina. The Milanese club made some improvements over the past year as they qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 2011.
Despite this improvement, Inter could still do with a creative attacking midfielder. Manager Luciano Spaletti has preferred to play a 4-2-3-1 formation, yet lacks an attacking No.10.
While he has played Borja Valero in that role, Quintero would arguably be a better fit for the Italian giants as he is considered a more creative player. The Colombian is certainly ready for the bright lights of Serie A.
#2 Artem Dzyuba- Burnley
Before the World Cup, Artem Dzyuba was derisively nicknamed “derevo” (or tree) by Russian fans. Watching him play for the first time, one can see the origins of the nickname. Dzyuba is a giant who is rather clumsy with the ball at his feet and can easily be seen as a one-dimensional player.
While that reputation is well-deserved to a certain extent (Dzyuba struggled in the Russian Premier League last season), the Russian has shown in the World Cup that there is much more to his game than heading. Sure, the Russian’s first goal of the tournament was a perfect header.
Since then, Dzyuba has shown other facets of his game as his hold-up play was superb. More impressively, Dzyuba scored a cracking goal against Egypt (with his feet!). Such performances will likely make Dzyuba a transfer target for teams across Europe.
In truth, Dzyuba would be a reliable Plan B option for most low-budget teams in Europe. His height (and occasional ability to play with the ball at his feet) could provide a direct option to most of these teams which do not have the attacking talent of Real Madrid or Manchester City.
Yet, the ideal fit for the Russian would be Burnley- perhaps Europe’s most overachieving team.
At a time where the ‘recipe for success’ is genuinely viewed to be big-money signings and possession-based football, Sean Dyche’s team managed to finish 7th in the Premier League despite spending comparatively less and playing a traditional physical style.
The Clarets averaged the second most crosses per game in the Premier League and tied for 6th in headed goals. Dzyuba’s physicality and aerial dominance would be a perfect fit in Dyche’s system.
#1 Ahmed Musa- Everton
Musa was a late addition to this list, as he terrorized Iceland after replacing Alex Iwobi in the Nigerian side. The third CSKA Moscow player on this list, Musa scored a vital brace that kept the Super Eagles in contention for the knockout stages. He showed excellent composure to control and finish Moses’ cross for Nigeria’s first goal against Iceland.
That fantastic finish paled in comparison to Musa’s second- a brilliant individual goal which sealed the game. These goals along with his work rate and link up play earned him the Man of the Match award.
In a way, Musa has already had his big money move. Musa’s performances for CSKA Moscow helped secure a move to Leicester City for 16.6 million pounds. Yet, the winger has struggled for the East Midlands club as he has only made 21 appearances in two seasons. A loan move in January back to CSKA helped revive the Nigerian’s career as he scored six goals and provided three assists in the second half of the Russian Premier League season.
These performances along with his World Cup form suggest that Musa deserves another chance in Europe’s top leagues. Nonetheless considering his flop show at Leicester, returning to his parent club doesn’t seem to be an option.
Instead, the Nigerian could be useful for a team like Everton who needs a pacey winger for an attack that was among the slowest in England last season. Musa’s pace could help complement Gylfi Sigurdsson’s passing. New Everton manager Marco Silva has a history of helping players reach their potential and Musa could be such a player.
Let us know your opinion in the comment section below.
