FIFA World Cup 2018: Most Important Players in Group G

AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City - Premier League
Kevin De Bruyne and Sterling will both give their best to help their Country progress

The golden generation of Belgium talents tipped for greatness, might just come of age in Russia. They will face tough opposition from a rejuvenated and sharp English side.

There will also be a lot of interesting sub-plots as a majority of Belgian players ply their trade in the English Premier League. New entrants Panama will make the best of their time in Russia and so will Tunisia.

Match to Watch: England v Belgium (28th June, 7 PM GMT)


#1 Belgium - Kevin De Bruyne

Belgium v USA: Round of 16 - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil
Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne has had an astounding season at Manchester City, and he was awarded the inaugural Premier League Playmaker of the Year award.

Although Eden Hazard is still the poster boy for this Golden Generation of Belgian talents, Belgium will definitely need Kevin De Bruyne's range of passing and shooting prowess to helping them fulfill their promise.

Roberto Martínez will be looking forward to shrugging off any doubts about his appointment and help this Belgian side progress beyond the quarter-finals stage, which was as far as Belgium went in the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016. The creativity and energy of De Bruyne will be vital if Belgium are to do so in Russia.

Notable Mention: Thorgan Hazard

#2 Panama - Édgar Joel Bárcenas

Switzerland v Panama - International Friendly
Édgar

Édgar is one of the few younger players in an aging Panama squad which did the impossible by qualifying for the country's first ever World Cup campaign, earning the whole country a holiday in the process.

National coach Dario Gomez has found a system well suited to their aging squad, but would rely on the creative play of Édgar and fellow midfielder Alberto Quintero to create chances for Los Canaleros and their all-time leading goal scorer Luis Tejada.

Expect Panama to hold their own and even punch above their weight in Russia.

Notable Mention: Luis Tejada

#3 Tunisia - Wahbi Khazri

Sunderland v Manchester United - Premier League
Wahbi Khazri

Tunisia suffered a devastating blow as their star player and creative midfielder Youssef Msakni was ruled out of the World Cup due to a knee ligament injury he sustained.

Without their primary creative outlet, Tunisia will be relying on the creative skills of Wahbi Khazri. Khazri is on loan at Stade Rennais from Sunderland.

His dribbling skills and ability to shoot and find the back of the net will be vital for Tunisia, as they would mostly be deploying Khazri down the middle. Wahbi Khazri has to find himself amongst the goals to lead Tunisia out of a group containing England, Belgium and Panama.

Notable Mention: Naïm Sliti

#4 England - Raheem Sterling

England v Italy - International Friendly
Raheem Sterling

Although Harry Kane will possibly be captaining the Three Lions in Russia and will be carrying the weight of scoring for them as well, while Raheem Sterling might be the spark England need to change their fortunes.

England have a young and talented squad but have struggled to truly impress and switch up the pace in the qualifying rounds.

Sterling possesses good balance, and under Pep Guardiola, he has reinvented his game and has added goals to his game. Gareth Southgate will be relying on Sterling and his electric runs to help England live up to their billing in Russia.

Notable Mention: Harry Kane

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Edited by Nishant Jayaram
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