'%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)
After the fanfare and emotional highs and lows of the World Cup, attention now shifts fully to the transfer window.
While most clubs had already done a lot of business before and during the global football fiesta, things are expected to heat up and get really feverish especially in England.
While the Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus transfer has undoubtedly been/will be the biggest move this summer, more expensive moves are expected to go down before the window closes.
After each World Cup, clubs usually take a look at new/emerging stars of the tournament. Russia 2018 had a lot of breakout stars who shone brightly.
Trending
In a World Cup where it was difficult to categorically state that one player outshone everyone else, a lot of new names emerged.
Here is a look at 5 of Russia 2018's best breakout stars and the possible transfer moves they could look to make to further their careers.
#5 Jo Hyeon-woo (Daegu FC and South Korea)
In a tournament that won’t be remembered fondly for the performance of goalkeepers, South Korea’s Jo Hyeon-woo was a revelation.
Before the tournament started, goalies like David de Gea (Spain), eventual Golden Glove winner; Thibaut Courtois (Belgium) among others were the most talked about goalies.
Not many people were paying particular attention to the goalies being presented by the Taegeuk Warriors, especially a scrawny 26-year-old who was coming in as the third choice.
However, coach Shin Tae-Yung surprisingly decided to go with the Daegu FC goalie ahead of nominal number one Kim Seung-Gyu and second choice Kim Jin-Hyeon.
Hyeon-woo was reportedly chosen to start above the more experienced duo due to being the tallest and he did not disappoint.
His reflexes, agility, and leadership were apparent even when Korea lost its first two games: a narrow 1-0 loss to Sweden (thanks to an Andreas Granqvist penalty) and a 2-1 loss to Mexico.
He was outstanding however in the shock 2-0 win over 2014 champions Germany, saving everything that was thrown at him.
He looked amazing in Russia and could be a bargain signing for a mid-level European club.
#4 Harry Maguire (Leicester City and England)
Much of the focus in the English media before the World Cup had been about John Stones. The Manchester City man had a very good tournament but so did his partner, Maguire.
The Sheffield-born centre-back had made his England debut just last year. This was off the back of an impressive debut season at 2016 Premier League champions Leicester City.
He is absolutely crucial to England's surprise semi-final run as he occupied the left-hand side of the 3-man centre-back formation adopted by Gareth Southgate
Great in the air offensively and defensively, Maguire also showed a good understanding of the game. He covered the left flank whenever left-back Ashley Young ventured forward. He was strong, dependable and always seemed to be in the thick of the action for The Three Lions.
He scored England’s opening goal in the quarterfinal against Sweden while his header forced the rebound which was converted by Harry Kane in the opening game defeat of Tunisia.
Already rumours of a £50m move to Manchester United are circulating. While he may be a few steps below the likes of Raphael Varane (France) or Jose Gimenez (Uruguay), he showed at the World Cup that he is a fast learner. He can only get better under the tutelage of a gaffer like Jose Mourinho.
#3 Hirving Lozano (PSV Eindhoven and Mexico)
The hottest property in Mexican football,. He shone brightly at the World Cup and it’s a matter of when not if Lozano will make the move to a big European club.
The young winger who plies his trade in the Eredivisie for champions PSV Eindhoven was a major hit in his first season in European football notching 17 goals and 8 assists in a thrilling title-winning campaign for the Dutch giants.
At the Mundial, Lozano was the brightest thing that El Tri had to offer and it showed. In the opening game, he tore Germany a new one with his directness, pace, and constant running.
Apart from scoring the only goal of the game, he stretched the defence and helped curtail the forward runs of Joshua Kimmich and Martin Plattenhardt.
He was just as electric in the second game (a 2-1 win over South Korea) as he made the second goal which was scored by Javier Hernandez and helped to keep the Koreans pinned back.
He had a subdued game in the 3-0 loss in the final group game against Sweden. He was perhaps the only attacker to emerge with credit in the 2-0 loss to El Tri’s bogey team - Brazil.
His pace, crossing ability, directness, and willingness to take on defenders will be a huge asset to any team. Rumours have already linked him to teams like Spurs, FC Barcelona and Everton.
His ability to play on either flank or behind the main striker would also be of great value to any team which signs him.
#2 Aleksandr Golovin (CSKA Moscow and Russia)
The fresh-faced star of Russia’s unexpectedly good campaign, Golovin is already a subject of interest for some of Europe’s giants including Chelsea, AS Monaco, Juventus among others.
The 22-year-old central midfielder had already been in the consciousness of pundits and scouts following his best season for his club; CSKA.
Expectations about the Sbornaya at the World Cup were low following the team’s terrible record leading to the finals. However, right from the opening game against Saudi Arabia, the team led by Golovin showed what it was capable of.
With Golovin at the heart of everything good, the Russians thrashed the Saudis 5-0 in the opening game with the CSKA star grabbing a goal, two assists, and all the headlines.
He was also very good in the 3-1 win over Egypt in the second group game but was rested for the third group game; a 3-0 loss to Uruguay.
His hard work, running, and temperament rather than silky skills was on display against Spain and Croatia in the 2nd round and quarterfinal encounters.
His passing ability, set-piece prowess, dribbling, and tackling make him a must have for teams looking for a good central midfielder/playmaker.
#1 Benjamin Pavard (VfB Stuttgart and France)
One of the few players in the World Cup winning team who was a bit of an unknown quantity, Pavard exploded at the mundial and is surely set for a big money move.
A converted centre-back, the 22-year-old was expected to play a backup role to AS Monaco’s Djibril Sidibe in Russia. However, following his impressive displays in the Bundesliga (he played every minute in all 38 games), he was given his French debut just last year in a friendly against Wales.
He was magnificent in France’s run to the title in Russia. While not the fastest right back around, his anticipation, discipline, tenacity and team ethic were of immense benefit to Les Bleus.
Alongside Varane, both men completely shut down the right flank, leaving few spaces for the opposition to attack. He started and finished all the games except the Group E encounter against Denmark when he was rested.
He also contributed in an attacking sense and his long-range screamer against Argentina in the second round is a leading contender for Goal of The Tournament.
Tottenham Hotspur have emerged as a potential buyer as Mauricio Pochettino is said to be a fan of Pavard’s versatility. However, it seems Bayern Munich are the front-runners for his signature (could cost £31m).
