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Right Back: Kieran Trippier (England)
This surely is the breakthrough tournament for the young lad from Bury. Trippier was England's player of the tournament and would also feature on most people's Team of the tournament. The Tottenham man featured as a right wing-back in the England eleven, and he was composed in defense. But the most impressive aspect of his game was his attacking play. With Dele Alli and Raheem Sterling struggling for form, England were unable to create too much in open play. However, most of the service came from Trippier's ball from the right flank.
The 27-year old was also England's set-piece taker and his deliveries created havoc in the opposition defense. This was illustrated by the fact that most of England's goal came from set-pieces. Trippier's deliveries were immaculate and they were also converted well by the likes of Harry Kane, John Stones and Harry Maguire.
However, the best moment of his tournament came in the semifinal against Croatia. The man referred to as 'Bury Beckham', had his moment of glory as he scored a sensational free-kick to give England the lead. Sadly, it was not to be as Croatia clawed their way back to send England out of the tournament.
Centre Back: Harry Maguire (England)
Harry Maguire came into the tournament unsure of whether he would get the chance to start or not. England manager Gareth Southgate though, went for Maguire ahead of the more experienced Gary Cahill and Phil Jones. Maguire's showings in the tournament vindicated Southgate's decision as he formed a solid defense alongside Kyle Walker and John Stones, who both are extremely erratic.
Maguire hardly put a foot wrong throughout the tournament as he was assuring at the back and was good with his ball distribution too. Maguire also caused the opposition defenders headache during set-pieces and it was his header that put England ahead in the quarterfinal against Sweden.
Maguire's fantastic World Cup has caught the attention of the top clubs in England, and there's a strong chance that he would move out of Leicester on a big money transfer this summer.
Toby Alderweireld (Belgium)
Dejan Lovren might have taken the second centre-back position, but his lacklustre performance in the final means that he slips behind Alderweireld in this team. Toby Alderweireld formed a formidable back three with his Tottenham compatriot Jan Vertonghen and Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany. Alderweireld who has been one of the best centre-backs over the past three years was back to his best in Russia, after an injury-hit club season.
The Spurs man went about his job in an unspectacular manner, as he was always in the right place at the right moment thanks to his fantastic reading of the game. His presence meant that Thomas Meunier was given the freedom to raid in the opposition half while attacking. The 29-year old is seeking a move out of Spurs and his performances here in Russia will interest the big clubs looking for a commanding centre-back.
Left Back: Jan Vertonghen (Belgium)
A shortage of options in this position has meant that we have got in a makeshift left back in this team. Vertonghen, whose preferred position is in the centre of the defense, has filled in at left-back numerous time before for club and country. Vertonghen, who was named in the PFA Team of the Year, carried his fine form into the World Cup in Russia. The 31-year old formed a solid back three alongside Alderweireld and Kompany. His assurance at the back made up for Belgium's weakness on the left flank as Chadli and Carrasco were not at their best in Russia.
Vertonghen's distribution from the back is top class and his balls into midfield continued to open space for the pacy attackers in front. His excellent reading of the game and positional awareness enabled him to get the better of the pacy attackers. His strength allows his to make recoveries despite his pace reducing with age. He also scored the crucial first goal in their second round comeback win from 2-0 down against Japan.
