Impact XVI

As everyone gets geared up for the biggest sporting event in the world, I couldn’t help myself from doing a bit of writing. I have listed 16 interesting players that are not being talked about a whole lot by the media (or maybe are) but are essential for their country’s success. Sorry to the other 16 teams that I have overlooked. I don’t believe any team would come to the World Cup to fill the numbers and I wish them all the best.Disclaimer: These are my personal opinions from whatever little football I have played and followed. So, of course they are subject to disagreement. I come with an open mind and would love to hear of players that I might have missed or overlooked. But anyways, here are my picks: P.S: These picks may not always be the best player of the team but very vital for their team’s success

#1 Luka Modric

Group : A Team : Croatia

Name: Luka Modric ( Real Madrid )

Modric was bought by Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur for £33m in August 2012. For the past two seasons, Madrid has robbed the EPL off their best players. After capturing Gareth Bale, the rumor mill is abuzz with a potential bid for Liverpool’s Luis Suarez. Modric was on the verge of being written off as a big money flop with erratic appearances under Jose Mourinho. But this season saw him rise as an indispensable player from the Madrid line up.

He burst into the international stage during Euro 2008 qualifiers, helping Croatia do a double against England. He is a creative midfielder but is also flexible enough to play in front of the back four. Niko Kovac has used Modric in various positions during Croatia’s qualifying campaign.

With the likes of Ivan Rakitic, Eduardo (his ex-Dinamo teammate ) and Mario Mandzukic, the Croatian attack doesn’t look too shabby. Of course, Modric has to play to his full potential to impact his team’s chances. I know I’ve started off with a “big name”, bit misleading to my initial claim , but Modric still remains the player to watch out for in the checkered shirt.

#2 Luis Gustavo

Group : A Team : Brazil

Name : Luis Gustavo Dias ( VfL Wolfsburg)

For football lovers like me, Brazil is the synonym for attack and flair. Pele, Socrates, Garrincha , Zico , Romario , Ronaldo , Ronaldinho… the list goes on and on. However, this is probably the first time in history of the World Cup (as long as I can remember at least) Brazil comes with the best defense of the tournament.

Attack has always been an asset for the Canarinhas and they have looked sharp this time too. However, the 2 time WC winning coaches of Perriera and Scolari have opted to go for the lanky Luiz Gustavo as their anchorman.

The 26-year-old ex-Bayern man was instrumental during Munich’s treble season and seems like a definite starter. Scolari has already underlined his intention by starting Gustavo ahead of Fernandinho and Ramires in the friendlies. He is a no-nonsense tackler, has good positioning sense and a decent range of passing. Gustavo’s strength is that he understands how to quickly get the “real” ball players in possession to start up an attack.

I personally see Scolari repeating his tactics of 2002 when he used Gilberto Silva in a similar role. Silva played every minute of the competition as Brazil went on to lift the trophy for the 5th time. Brazil great Rivelino (1970 WC winner) recently acknowledged the role of holding midfielders in the modern game and earmarked Gustavo’s importance. With so much focus on the attackers, the player who’ll have the maximum impact for his team is – Gustavo. He needs to have a flawless WC to ensure Brazil lifts the Cup at the Maracana. Hence, he makes my list of people who can impact Brazil’s chances in the Cup.

#3 Xabi Alonso

Group : B Team : Spain

Name : Xabi Alonso ( Real Madrid )

Few in world football today, can emulate his positional play and ability to control the game from a deep midfield position. I would rate only Andrea Pirlo in the same category. Spain’s 2010 campaign bleated the cacophony of tiki-taka and thankfully for the supporters, the team delivered after years of underachievement.

While Xavi and Iniesta have been credited for the campaign and Spain’s recent dominance, I think the heartbeat of Spain is Xabi Alonso. I rate Busquets highly too and consider him essential for the team’s chances. But when Sergio is building up the possession play for his Barca teammates, it is Alonso who’s patrolling the back four and cutting out any potential counter attack attempts. I have been a big fan of Alonso since his Sociedad days. He is a laid back midfielder who rarely gets dispossessed. For all the greats, I’ve had the privilege to watch, his range of passing can only be matched or surpassed by Pirlo and Scholes.

There is nothing dramatic about his game but the beauty lies in his quick distribution and precise inch-perfect cross-field passes. He offers an alternate option to the way Spain usually plays. If need be, Del Bosque would definitely give Alonso the license to go for his defense-splitting passes for Costa to run after. In the modern game where midfielders typically have destructive power and insatiable work-rate, Alonso’s calmness and footballing intelligence sets him apart. He definitely needs to be on top of his game for Spain to recreate the 2010 magic.

#4 Jordy Clasie

Group : B Team : Netherlands

Name : Jordy Clasie ( Feyenoord )

I’ll not proclaim that I regularly watch Dutch football but I do follow some games. Mainly because, the time zone I currently live in makes it easy to follow and I am a sucker for any live football.

Coached by Ronald Koeman, Jordy stands at a modest 5ft 6 but his commitment and immaculate work ethic makes up for his physical attributes. Dubbed the “Dutch Xavi”, this 22yr old has superb positioning, accurate passing and an excellent vision. He mainly plays as a sentinel in front of the back four. After observing him for Feyenoord, his gritty attitude is what stood out, amongst all his other talents. Things don’t look easy as he faces a battle with two of the world’s best – Vidal and Xavi.

With Strootman and Van der Vaart missing, he needs to step up if Netherlands has to proceed through the group stages and make an impact. He is my pick for the player who’ll be vital for the Oranjes.

For people who have been following the friendlies, remember the 40 yard pass to RVP against Ecuador?

#5 Alexis Sanchez

Group : B Team : Chile

Name : Alexis Sanchez ( Barcelona )

In the last two weeks, news of Vidal’s recovery from a knee surgery has dominated headlines for the Chileans. Meanwhile, in the last two friendlies, Sanchez has served up a reminder to the massive threat he represents. Playing for Barcelona, who boasts some of world’s best attackers, Sanchez has held his own scoring 39 times in 88 games.

He can play in all three attacking positions and is one of the most versatile forwards in the game. For Chile too, he has netted in 22 times in 66 matches. He repeated the achievement of national team legend Marcelo Salas by scoring a brace in Wembley to beat England 2-0. In Alexis, Chile have a brilliant forward who can run behind the defense line as well as hit a 30 yard strike.

He would love to leave his mark on the world stage and needs to be his influential best to help the team. He is my man to watch out for the Chileans.

#6 James Rodriguez

Group : C Team : Colombia

Name : James Rodriguez ( AS Monaco )

James Rodriguez is considered as one of the jewels of Colombia’s golden generation. He is the second most expensive Colombian after Falcao. With the iconic striker missing this World Cup, James has a big task ahead.

With his silky touches and eye for goal, he is definitely one of Europe’s finest playmaker but with the absence of Falcao he definitely needs to score some important goals if Colombia has to fulfill the promise of it’s golden generation. Backed by Cuadrado and Guarin and Jackson Martinez up front, James will be looking to make his mark and is my pick for the player essential for his team’s chances.

P.S: I know this was sort of a no brainer too.

#7 Keisuke Honda

Group : C Team : Japan

Name : Keisuke Honda ( AC Milan )

Being a Manchester United fan, my friends might be surprised that I haven’t gone for Kagawa as my pick. Shinji is one of the most intelligent players of the modern game and the creative force for Japan. His performances for Japan have been pretty great too but for anyone who has seen Japan play, Yamaguchi and Honda run the show.

Japan deploys a 4-2-3-1 with Honda being responsible for linking the two defensive mids with Kagawa and Okazaki. He has had a wealth of European experience and was one of the eye-catching performers of the last World Cup too. AC Milan has honored him with their famous no.10 jersey and he will like to show the world why. He needs to be at his influential best to get Japan up and running in the tournament.

#8 Edinson Cavani

Group : D Team : Uruguay

Name : Edinson Cavani ( Paris Saint-Germain)

Cavani has had a subdued season by his standards. After a big money move, I don’t think he liked playing second fiddle to “THE ZLATAN” or even pushed out wide when started. He is an old school target man who likes playing up top, crashing into defenders with towering headers and making life difficult for them in general.

Suarez and last World Cup’s best player (Forlan) have been getting all the attention but Cavani would like to remind the world why PSG dished out €65m for him. The last time Uruguay played a world cup in Brazil, they pulled off a major upset. Cavani will be absolutely essential for Uruguay and at this point, the most motivated of the three strikers to leave an impression at the grandest stage of them all.

#9 Ross Barkley

Group : D Team : England

Name : Ross Barkley ( Everton FC )

England has a lot of inexperienced but exciting players in their squad. Lallana and Sterling were more obvious choices for players who can impact England’s game and they are more likely to start ahead of Barkley. But my pick for England still goes for this Everton midfielder. Barkley is powerful, has a quick turn and loves running at defenders. He will probably not start for England and rightfully so. I have personally been disappointed by his decision making in the final third of the pitch. But my choice is based on only one factor – Fearlessness.

Although, England’s crest has three lions, I have never seen the team play any fearless or adventurous football. Barkley’s bursting into the scene for Everton and England has been a phenomenal story. But it’s been possible mainly because of his fearless attitude on the ball. Roy Hodgson has played down his hype and rightfully so. England’s media have always exaggerated their team’s chances but this time around, the air is cautious. With a dash of Barkley’s fearless aura, England might actually surprise in this year’s tournament.

On a personal note, I think this is the fastest England side in 10 years. If Roy Hodgson can realize that and field a side of pacey attackers, England can definitely ruffle some feathers. But still, I am going for a dull and scared England performance with the possibility of Barkley adding some life into it as a sub. What happens is yet to be seen but he is my pick of the players to watch out for.

#10 Marco Verratti

Group : D Team : Italy

Name : Marco Verratti ( Paris Saint-Germain )

Losing Montolivo has been a blessing in disguise for Italy. While many might not agree with the previous statement, I believe Pirlo’s successor in Italy’s team should get a chance to play in the big league already. Marco Verratti along with France’s Paul Pogba ran the show in the U21 tournaments last year. Italy U21 made it to the Euro finals only to loose out to another brilliant midfielder – Thiago Alcantara.

Verratti is a deep lying playmaker just like Pirlo and formed an enterprising duo with PSG’s Matuidi this season. He is calm in possession and his awareness of the situation around him is excellent. At 21, he boasts of a 90% pass completion rate. Even his long passes have a completion rate of more than 70%. For a 5ft 5 person, he is extremely gritty and loves getting stuck at tackles. He is probably the most intelligent 21year old footballer I have seen. With so much spotlight on stopping De Rossi and Pirlo, he might just steal the show for Italy. I was curious as to how Italy will play fielding three deep lying midfielders but after seeing the game against Luxemborg, it seems like Pirlo is playing a bit higher than usual with Verratti and De Rossi playing anchors. Doesn’t look too good for the rest of the teams.

#11 Mathieu Valbuena

Group : E Team : France

Name : Mathieu Valbuena ( Marseille )

Valbuena’s rise from being a Bordeaux reject to France’s creative force has been quite a story. He was told to seek his future elsewhere by the very same coach for whom he is a regular starter now. For Blanc, he was an unused sub in Euro 2012 but with Ribery gone, he has emerged as the creative spark for France. For a country that has given the world Platini and Zidane, Valbuena has big shoes to fill.

Deschamps has favored playing 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 during his campaign and Mathieu has been an regular name on his team sheet. Even when deployed out wide in a 4-3-3, he loves cutting in to make space for Debuchy or Sagna to overlap. Personally speaking, the only worrying part about his game is his goal-scoring record. He needs to have a momentous tournament feeding Benzema and scoring some goals too. France has a better squad than most people realize and can be quite a surprise element this world cup. Height doesn’t matter in football. Ask a certain no.10 from Barcelona. Some other bright talents like Hazard, Silva, Mata are also diminutive in stature. And you know what they say; big things come in small packages ;)! Valbuena is my pick to have an impactful WC for France.

P.S: Of course, Pogba was an obvious choice but he is already in the spotlight. My picks are players not enjoying so much media hype but are essential to their team.

#12 Rodrigo Palacio

Group : F Team : Argentina

Name : Rodrigo Palacio ( Argentina )

This is one of my dubious choices, which might make you think I am barking mad. On a totally separate note, I am. But Palacio is too. For a 32 year old, he runs more than any other player on the pitch. Playing for Inter Milan, Palacio is a constant pain for any defense he plays against.

Sabella has made it clear that his preferred strikers are in the order of Aguero, Higuain and then Palacio. But with Aguero and Higuain both being injury prone, I have a feeling that Palacio might get his deserved chance. Against Trinidad and Tobago last week, Palacio headed one in. He set up the third goal after beating the offside trap, cutting the ball back from the byline and then assisting Maxi Rodriguez. I have no doubt that Higuain would have scored the header too but I don’t think he would have been able to make that assist.

Playing wise, I think he has more to offer than Higuain and certainly a great Plan B when over relaiance on Messi doesn’t work. *:P * If given a chance, he will definitely have an impact. With this World Cup marred with injuries, I’ve a feeling he will be more than a bench warmer.

#13 Thomas Mller

Group : G Team : Germany

Name : Thomas Müller ( Bayern Munich )

Thomas Muller is probably the most effective player in this world. He is also quite underrated in my opinion. I am trying to remember the last time a German striker played in a world cup and didn’t score at least 5 goals. Muller is a coach’s dream. For as long as I have seen him play, he has been deployed in more than five attacking positions. RM, LM, CF, LF and CAM.

He finished Bayern’s season with 18 goals and 11 assists. And that’s saying a lot considering the plethora of attacking talents at Bayern’s disposal. With Klose poised to beat Ronaldo’s record, Muller will be focused on setting his own and I won’t be surprised if he ends up with another golden boot. His finishing is clinical and he is very direct in his game. He has to be on top of his game for Germany to break the jinx of European teams in South America and lift the cup.

#14 Joo Moutinho

Group : G Team : Portugal

Name : João Moutinho ( AS Monaco )

For the current Ballon d’Or winner to fulfill his potential and make a mark on the world stage, Moutinho has to be on top of his game. This pick is a no-brainer. Moutinho is the second best player in his team and the creative force to assist Almeida and Ronaldo

Much was spoken about Ronaldo’s hattrick against Sweden but people fail to notice the world class through balls provided by the Monaco midfielder. Football is not a one-man sport. It takes “two to tango” and João Moutinho will be as vital as Ronaldo for Portugal’s chances this summer.

#15 Michael Bradley

Group : G Team : United States of America

Name : Michael Bradley ( Toronto FC )

My choice for anchor midfielders has been quite apparent throughout my article. Bradley’s choice is no different. Modern football has led to the emergence and importance of holding midfielders like never before. Again, this is a no brainer that if USA is to emerge from their group, they need something special from Michael Bradley. He had an impressive spell in Roma partnering De Rossi and Klinsmann would want him to have a similar impact. He is one of the very few guys in the US squad with top European team experience and needs to deliver for his team.

#16 Romelu Lukaku

Group : H Team : Belgium

Name : Romelu Lukaku ( Everton FC (loan) / Chelsea FC (parent club) )

For any team to shine in the World Cup, they need to have at least one striker firing all cylinders.With so much attention on Eden Hazard, Lukaku scored a fine hat trick against Luxemborg to remind the world that there’s one more guy to be taken seriously from the team. The absence of Benteke means Marc Wilmots will be looking at Lukaku to deliver. And with Mourinho having sealed Costa’s move, Lukaku will probably leave Chelsea. Well, there’s no better place to showcase what you are worth, than the biggest stage of them all. He is my pick to fire Belgium to glory.