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The best thing about the World Cup – after the gregarious mascots made of cloth, national anthems and footballs of helium – is the wide array of players on show.

Granted, this is no longer a time when the majority of players at a World Cup are unknown to the world. With so much football from so many countries available to those who wish to watch it, an unearthed gem is as unlikely as a nugget of insight from Andy Townsend.

But with 32 nations competing, it's a chance for 736 players to make an impression in Brazil. Some are well known, others less so. For every Lionel Messi, there will be a Luis Saritama.

It will also be the time for domestic clubs to scout potential signings. Everton FC have done so themselves in the past, with players such as Daniel Amokachi signing following strong showings in international tournaments.

Here's the 32 players, one from each competing World Cup nation, that Blues fans might want to watch this summer - and who the Blues scouting staff may want to make a note of, too.

GALLERY: The ones to watch at World Cup 2014

Brazil:

Name: Henrique

Age: 27

Position: Defence

Club: Napoli

Squad number: 15

Although the centre back won’t see much playing time this summer - no wonder with Dante, David Luiz and Thiago Silva as competitors - he will impress if given the chance. Commanding and agile, Henrique was on the books of Barcelona for four years without kicking a competitive ball for the Catalans.

Cameroon:

Name: Vincent Aboubakar

Age: 22

Position: Attack

Club: Lorient

Squad number: 10

A striker that would appear to have all the tools to become top class. His performances were excellent at Lorient last term, scoring 16 goals in 33 starts. Strong and athletic, Aboubakar also brings team-mates into play with his presence alone, preoccupying defences.

Croatia:

Name: Ivan Perisic

Age: 25

Position: Attack

Club: Wolfsburg

Squad number: 4

Perisic rose to prominence with fine equaliser for Dortmund against Arsenal in the Champions League three years ago but has faded since. A powerful wide man who can beat a man, Perisic scored 10 goals for Wolfsburg last season and is comfortable in any of the three positions behind the striker.

Mexico:

Name: Giovani Dos Santos

Age: 25

Position: Attack

Club: Villarreal

Squad number: 10

Former Barcelona prodigy, who suffered a turbulent spell in England, has reinvented himself at Villarreal. Should play behind a front two in Brazil with his guile and intelligence a key asset, but can also play as part of a front four.

Australia:

Name: Tim Cahill

Age: 34

Position: Midfield / Attack

Club: NY Red Bulls

Squad number: 4

Well, why not? He may not exactly fit the typical Martinez midfielder profile anymore but there’s nothing wrong with a bit of romanticism. He will start up front for the Socceroos this summer with crosses being fired in for Cahill to meet with his head. Scored 12 goals in last season’s MLS campaign.

Chile:

Name: Eduardo Vargas

Age: 24

Position: Attack

Club: Napoli

Squad number: 11

Alexis Sanchez’s partner-in-crime up front for Chile. Although he’s the lesser known of the two, he puts in some good showings for the national side, scoring 13 goals since new boss Jorge Sampaoli. Has hardly featured for Valencia while on loan from Napoli, much to their detriment, and could be an option up top.

Holland:

Name: Jeremain Lens

Age: 26

Position: Attack

Club: Dynamo Kiev

Squad number: 17

Pacey wide man who can also play up front or in the no.10 role, Lens had an average maiden season in Ukraine. Quick on the counter and with good vision, he is a good outlet for teams - and with expectation he starts on the left-hand side, with Arjen Robben on the right, he could prove to be again in Brazil.

Spain:

Name: Fernando Torres

Age: 30

Position: Attack

Club: Chelsea

Squad number: 9

So, hear us out. Fernando Torres at Goodison Park would be about as welcome - and likely - as a Nick Barmby statue outside the Old Lady. But the Blues are in the market for a striker, and Torres could do with a move to reinvigorate his career. He performed best on Merseyside with a Spaniard in the dugout, after all. Anyone? No? Fair enough.

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Colombia:

Name: Abel Aguilar

Age: 29

Position: Midfield

Club: Toulouse

Squad number: 8

Defensive midfield man Aguilar has been a stand-out for Toulouse in France, sitting in front of the back four to protect them and dictating the tempo with the ball at his feet.

Greece:

Name: Jose Holebas

Age: 29

Position: Defence

Club: Olympiakos

Squad number: 20

German-born left back, who can also play on the left of midfield, who impressed during Greece’s unlikely run to Euro 2012 quarter-finals. Also featured in seven of Olympiakos’ eight Champions League games last season and noticed for his diligence both on and off the ball. Would provide good back up for Leighton Baines.

Ivory Coast:

Name: Serey Die

Age: 29

Position: Midfield

Club: Basel

Squad number: 20

A tough-tackling midfielder who has played a big part in Basel’s rise to European prominence once more. Could form a tough midfield three with Cheick Tiote and Yaya Toure in Brazil, and could catch the eye.

Japan:

Name: Shinji Okazaki

Age: 28

Position: Attack

Club: Mainz

Squad number: 9

Though he will be utilised on the right-hand side for Japan this summer, Okazaki is equally adept playing up front, bagging 15 league goals for Mainz last season. His versatility and tactical flexibility would suit Roberto Martinez’s style.

Costa Rica:

Name: Joel Campbell

Age: 21

Position: Attack

Club: Arsenal

Squad number: 9

Talented Arsenal forward Campbell could be an exciting solution to Roberto Martinez’s striker dilemma. Moved to Arsenal in 2011 but has spent the last three campaigns on loan to Lorient, Real Betis and Olympiakos. Campbell particularly impressed in Greece, scoring eight league goals and notching a wonderful strike against Manchester United in the Champions League.

England:

Name: Danny Welbeck

Age: 23

Position: Attack

Club: Manchester United

Squad number: 11

Industrious and experienced at international level, Welbeck’s potential inclusion in England’s starting 11 has still raised eyebrows - but he is a good player, with nine goals in just 15 starts last season, and can play in a number of attacking positions.

Italy:

Name: Lorenzo Insigne

Age: 23

Position: Attack

Club: Napoli

Squad number: 22

An Italian of - shock horror - fiery temperament with wings on his heels. Insigne played the majority of his games on Napoli’s left last season, cutting inside and causing havoc with a solid right foot. His speed is a big asset and will be used from the bench for Italy - but still may be moved on by Napoli this summer.

Uruguay:

Name: Christian Stuani

Age: 27

Position: Midfield / Attack

Club: Espanyol

Squad number: 11

Striker-turned-midfielder who finally found his feet in top-flight Europe when moving to Espanyol. Tall, strong and willing to work, Stuani was shifted to the right wing this season, scoring six. His creativity - or lack of - could be exposed in Brazil, however.

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Ecuador:

Name: Enner Valencia

Age: 25

Position: Attack

Club: Pachuca

Squad number: 13

Scored against England, but was previously noted for NOT being United winger Antonio’s brother. A tidy player who can arrive late into the box, either from deep or starting up front, and scored 18 goals in the Mexican league.

France:

Name: Mathieu Valbuena

Age: 29

Position: Midfield

Club: Marseille

Squad number: 8

Nicknamed, Le Petit Velo (that’s The Little Bike) the 5ft 6in diminutive midfielder has been a long-time favourite at the Stade Velodrome. He was top of the assist charts in Ligue 1 last term and boasts five international goals for Les Bleus.

Honduras:

Name: Maynor Figueroa

Age: 31

Position: Defence

Club: Hull City

Squad number: 3

Martinez will know all about the defender when the pair were at Wigan Athletic. Figueroa can play both left back and centre back, and is also comfortable in a back three - something the Blues experimented with towards the end of the season.

Switzerland:

Name: Fabian Schar

Age: 22

Position: Defence

Club: Basel

Squad number: 22

Schar has caught the eye more than any other during Basel’s renaissance in European football. Not only is he a solid centre back who can initiate attacks from defence, but he’s also a good penalty taker and top-scored for the Swiss in qualifying. Would suit Martinez’s philosophy with an average of nearly 50 passes per Champions League game.

Argentina:

Name: Fernando Gago

Age: 28

Position: Midfield

Club: Boca Juniors

Squad number: 5

Former Real Madrid midfielder Gago could provide an experienced option in the centre of the park for Roberto Martinez. Currently plying his trade back in Argentina with Boca Juniors, Gago is an elegant player with great vision and discipline. He made over 100 appearances for Real during his time in the Spanish capital.

Bosnia:

Name: Vedad Ibisevic

Age: 29

Position: Attack

Club: Stuttgart

Squad number: 9

Clinical in the Bundesliga - he’s scored 10 or more in the past four seasons - the striker is expected to partner Edin Dzeko for Bosnia, but is equally adept playing on his own and bringing others into play.

Iran:

Name: Ashkan Dejagah

Age: 27

Position: Midfield

Club: Fulham

Squad number: 21

The winger found his chances at relegated Fulham limited last season, but through no fault of his own - in a settled side, he has looked quick, intelligent and with a good delivery from out wide. Can also play behind the striker.

Nigeria:

Name: Kenneth Omeruo

Age: 20

Position: Defence

Club: Chelsea

Squad number: 22

Centre back who spent the previous season on-loan at Middlesbrough from Chelsea, making 14 appearances for the Teesiders. The tall and athletic footballer made his Super Eagles debut last year, playing in all three of Nigeria’s Confederations Cup fixtures. He was signed by Chelsea in 2012 from Belgian outfit Standard Liege and could benefit from more first-team football.

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Germany:

Name: Christoph Kramer

Age: 23

Position: Midfield

Club: Bayer Leverkusen

Squad number: 23

The defensive midfielder is a newcomer to international football, having won his first full cap last month, and will travel to Brazil as a back-up option Kramer spent last season on loan from Bayer Leverkusen at Borussia Monchengladbach and could be an option for Roberto Martinez to shore up the midfield.

Ghana:

Name: Afriyie Acquah

Age: 22

Position: Midfield

Club: Hoffenheim

Squad number: 6

Powerful and athletic, Acquah is certainly the type of player that would thrive in the Premier League. Spent the season with former club Parma on loan, sent back there after moving to Hoffenheim in 2013. The Ghanaian nearly signed for Northern Irish outfit Glentoran as a youth player but was unable to, and later moved to Italy after impressing in a friendly against Empoli for Ghanaian side DC United.

Portugal:

Name: Helder Postiga

Age: 31

Position: Attack

Club: Valencia

Squad number: 23

Veteran striker Postiga could provide the Blues with much-needed backup in the striking department. The former Tottenham man boasts 27 international goals and has played for the likes of Porto, Sporting Lisbon and Valencia during a near 15 year career. Spent the latter part of the season on loan at Lazio.

United States:

Name: Aron Johannsson

Age: 23

Position: Attack

Club: AZ

Squad number: 9

The striker enjoyed a breakout season with AZ Alkmaar in 2013-14, scoring 26 goals (including 17 in the Eredivisie). Johannsson, who is under contract until 2018, came off the bench to score in the friendly against Azerbaijan last month and could ultimately usurp Jozy Altidore as the USA's premier marksman.

Algeria:

Name: Yacine Brahimi

Age: 24

Position: Midfield

Club: Granada

Squad number: 11

Tricky, versatile attack who helped Granada avoid relegation last season with three goals and four assists. He and Sofiane Feghouli will provide the creativity from out wide for Algeria.

Belgium:

Name: Romelu Lukaku

Age: 21

Position: Attack

Club: Chelsea

Squad number: 9

No surprises here. The Blues would like to make Lukaku an Everton player permanently - but, ironically, may not want him to perform too well in Brazil to keep competition for his signature down. With a hat trick against Luxembourg in a warm-up game, don’t hold your breath.

Russia:

Name: Aleksandr Kerzhakov

Age: 31

Position: Attack

Club: Zenit

Squad number: 11

Another striking option for Roberto Martinez, the veteran Kerzhakov is a proven goalscorer - if sometimes a bit wasteful. The 31-year-old has scored over 100 goals in two spells at Zenit St. Petersburg and has scored 25 goals for Russia - just one behind the record holder Vladimir Beschastnykh.

South Korea:

Name: Ki Sung-Yueng

Age: 25

Position: Midfield

Club: Swansea

Squad number: 16

Swansea midfielder who was inexplicably loaned to Sunderland and then performed very well at Stadium of Light. His love of possession and impressive passing accuracy would suit Martinez’s system.

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