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The 2014 World Cup has thrown in a lot of surprises this time. Who would have foreseen current World and European champions Spain being handed a humiliating first round exit? And one would need to be a real braveheart to place their bets on teams like Costa Rica, Algeria and Colombia making it into the Round of 16. The footballing extravaganza in Brazil has also brought players who weren't that well-known as their cash-rich, starry conterparts like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar, in the limelight. And after their heroics in Brazil,football clubs all over the globe have been on the look for such new talented faces. Here's a look at 5 of the bargain buy players available at this World Cup.
#5 Islam Slimani
Country: Algeria
Role: Striker
International Caps: 24
International Goals: 12
Age: 26
WC 2014 Matches: 4
Goals: 2 Assists: 1
FIFA Castrol Player Index: 9.10
No one in their right mind would have placed their bets on Algeria entering the Round of 16 at the World Cup. Algeria warded off threats from World Cup veterans like Russia and Asian powerhouse South Korea, to join Belgium in the second round in Brazil. And Islam Slimani impressed with his performances for the Fennec Foxes. Algeria had almost put 3-time champion Germany out of the tournament, before suffering a late heartbreak in the last 16. Extra-time strikes from Andre Schurrle and Mesut Ozil helped Die Mannschaft scamper to a 2-1 win at Porto Allegre. The 26-year-old striker currently plays for Portuguese club Sporting Clube de Portugal. Named the Best Algerian Footballer of The Year in 2013, Slimani may soon be off to ply his trade in one of Europe's finest leagues.
#4 Giancarlo Gonzalez
Country: Costa Rica
Role: Centre Back
International Caps: 39
International Goals: 2
Age: 26
WC 2014 Matches: 4
Goals: 0
Balls Recovered: 27
FIFA Castrol Player Index: 9.04
Gonzalez has been one of the most instrumental players in the surprise package called Costa Rica at 2014 World Cup. The 26-year-old has been a dominating presence at the back keeping opposition attackers at bay. And shining in a defence that had to face threats like Uruguay, Italy and England in the Group of Death is no easy task. Major European clubs are keeping an eye on this defender, thus his days with MLS side Columbus Crew could well be over.
#3 Enner Valencia
Country: Ecuador
Role: Striker
International Caps: 13
International Goals: 7
Age: 24
WC 2014 Matches: 3
Goals: 3
FIFA Castrol Player Index: 9.15
Ecuador didn't set World Cup goalscoring charts on fire, but hadn't it been for Enner Valencia they wouldn't have mustered even that. The 24-year-old striker netted 3 goals, the total his country managed at the event. His heroics are the only thing worth remembering for anyone who watched Ecuador at this World Cup. He currently plies his trade for Mexican club C.F Pachuca. And for those who would point out his Brazil heroics as a one-off event, one should look at his goalscoring exploits in Mexico. The 24-year-old netted 18 goals in just 23 outings on his debut season with Pachuca in 2013-14. Many European heavyweights would be thrilled to have such a goalscoring threat in their attack.
#2 Ivan Perisic
Country: Croatia
Role: Left Midfield
International Caps: 32
International Goals: 5
Age: 25
WC 2014 Matches: 3
Goals: 2 Assists: 2
FIFA Castrol Player Index: 9.74
As they walked into the 2014 World Cup, much was expected from Croatia. The Vatreni were 18 on the FIFA ranking charts and boasted of star players like Luka Modric (Real Madrid) and Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich). Thus it was a tad dissapointing when they bowed out of the Group Stage itself. But a rare positive in Croatia's campaign has been the performances of Ivan Perisic. The 25-year-old midfielder netted 3 goals and set up further 2, while dominating Croatia's midfield proceedings. He moved to German club Vfl Wolfsburg during the 2013 January transfer window for a reported €8 million. But after his performances in Brazil, no major club would mind spending that sum on a player of Perisic's calibre. €8 million is quite less for a player who can play on either flanks and can also fill in a central midfield role.
#1 Guillermo Ochoa
Country: Mexico
Role: Goalkeeper
International Caps: 61
Age: 28
WC 2014 Matches: 4
Clean Sheets: 2
FIFA Castrol Player Index: 9.19
Though Mexico has been shown the door at this edition of the World Cup, their goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa has grabbed attention of major clubs. The 28-year-old gloveman is currently a free-agent after being released by French second-division club AC Ajaccio, and is on the radar of English Premier League heavyweights like Liverpool and Arsenal. Ochoa has been instrumental in guiding Mexico into the Round of 16 at Brazil. He has made 6 clearances and kept 2 clean sheets for El Tri at the World Cup. His most notable performance was when he kept Brazil quiet to a goalless draw in their Group A encounter at Fortaleza.
