5 Possible Breakout Stars this World Cup

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Here are 5 promising players who could make a splash in Brazil.

Wakaso Mubarak- Ghana

The 23 year old Attacking Midfielder has had it tough at club level with rather disappointing stints at Espanyol and Rubin Kazan. If there is any place however, where he has been able to show his talents, it has been on the international stage. At the Africa Cup Of Nations last year, he showed his true potential and ability, scoring 4 goals, tied with Emmanuel Emenike for top scorer of the tournament. He is also Proficient at defense which may end up being one of his key assets in the World Cup as Ghana will not want to concede many goals, especially against teams such as Germany, Portugal, and the US. Along with Gyan, Asamoah, and Andre Ayew I believe, they will be the keys to somehow progressing the group of death.

Jordy Clasie- Netherlands

Louis Van Gaal really had his hopes up on Kevin Strootman (along with Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben) leading the Dutch far in the World Cup. Scratch that. Now sidelined from the World Cup with an ACL tear, who can replace the Roma playmaker? Van Ginkel from Chelsea? The more experienced Stijn Schaars? Nope, Clasie can. While being inexperienced on the biggest stage and only having seven caps to his name while playing in the Eredivisie, he is the closest in playstyle to Strootman. He is a very able distributor of the ball and a solid tackler, averaging 84.9% pass completion and 3.3 tackles per game in the Eredivisie for his team, Feyenoord. He will most likely be a squad player coming into the first game against Spain, but if given the opportunity, he may surprise us all.

Serge Aurier- Ivory Coast

One of the outstanding defenders in Ligue 1 this season, Aurier should be a lock to start on the Ivorian national team during the World Cup. His main position is Right-Back, but he can play anywhere in defense, and even midfield. This season for Toulouse he hasn’t been a slug going forward either, recording 6 goals and 6 assists. A player of his abilities might just be the unforseen edge going forward Ivory Coast needs to advance from their group, as they have been held at the first hurdle in the previous two World Cups (consecutive groups of death didn’t help their cause either).

Adam Lallana- England

Now, now. Yes, Adam Lallana is well-known. Yes, he’s been nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award, but he’s only played for England thrice in his career and that is where he can demonstrate that he deserves to play a top club (Please take no offense fellow Southampton supporters). England has been given a tricky group, With Italy and Uruguay being tough to play against, and Costa Rica possibly being that banana peel any of the three contenders may slip up on. If he shines and has a good world cup, he may have possible suitors come to pry him from Southampton, Liverpool maybe?

Alessio Cerci- Italy

Cesare Prandelli will have many headaches in selecting the forwards that will join his team in Brazil. Cerci is one of those headaches. With Alberto Gilardino, Ciro Immobile (his Torino teammate), Lorenzo Insigne, and Mattia Destro all also uncertain of making it in the 23-man squad. He has had a splendid season in Torino, scoring 13 goals and 9 assists in 33 games. His creative output is something Prandelli values as not many of the Italian forwards are as good in making key passes or creating opportunities as he is. If Prandelli decides to go with a 4-3-1-2 or a 3-5-2, he will have a chance to play his preferred position as a supporting forward and play to his very best. His role however, is still undecided as he may still be excluded from the final squad. Only time will tell, but in my opinion he deserves to be on the plane to Brazil because he offers more than most forwards do. He doesn’t only score, but he finds spaces for others as well, which will help a rather stiff Italian team.