The World Cup is a good time to scout players and quite often some of the tournament’s standout performers, especially youngsters, are the subject of interest from several top clubs across Europe.
For instance, in 2014, James Rodriguez earned a dream move to Real Madrid after winning the Golden Boot and helping Colombia progress to the quarterfinals.
The World Cup in Russia has been outstanding for various reasons and the underdogs have surprised us on several occasions.
As a result, some players who are usually not in the limelight have taken centre stage. Since the World Cup is going on, the Premier League clubs have been very quiet with their transfer business.
But you can expect more deals in the coming days as many teams have already been knocked out. On that note, take a look at five players who have performed at the World Cup and could improve the Premier League’s big 6.
1.Yerry Mina
The towering Colombian defender joined Barcelona in January 2018 but he has only played 6 games for the Catalan side and finds himself behind Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti in the pecking order.
Mina is a ball playing defender with fantastic athleticism. Standing tall and 6 ft 5 in, the Colombian is a nightmare to play against when he is on the top of his game.
The 23-year-old hasn’t been able to convince Ernesto Valverde that he has a future at the club and he also takes up one of Barcelona’s Non-EU spots. If Barcelona are to sign another non-European player, then Mina could be the first one to make way.
2. Aleksandr Golovin
Aleksandr Golovin is the biggest talent to come out of Russia in recent years and he has shown why there is so much hype surrounding him at the World Cup.
Golovin maybe already on his way to Chelsea as there are rumours of a strong interest in the player from the London side. Considering Roman Abramovich’s contacts in Russia and with CSKA Moscow, it would be relatively easy for Chelsea to wrap up a deal for the 22-year-old.
3. Benjamin Pavard
Pavard is capable of playing as a centre-back or as a right-back. He has predominantly played in the former position at club level but has been deployed as a right-back for France at the World Cup.
Pavard has earned praise for his reading of the game, his tactical awareness and maturity which defies his age. The 22-year-old played every minute of the 2017-18 Bundesliga season and helped Stuttgart finish a strong 7th immediately after getting promoted.
4. Ante Rebic
Croatia have earned rave reviews with their performance at the World Cup and despite the stars in the side, Ante Rebic has earned a lot of praise.
The Eintracht Frankfurt winger is capable of playing on either side and could add depth and quality to all of the Premier League’s big six sides. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Rebic has outperformed Ivan Perisic who is older and far more experienced.
His pace, movement, work rate and dribbling have all stood out in Croatia’s games so far. Manchester City has been unable to wrap up a deal for Riyad Mahrez and Rebic could prove to be a cheaper alternative.
5. Hirving Lozano
Lozano scored the goal that defeated GermanyClubs that should target him: All the Big 6 clubsHirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano is only 22-year-old and has earned heaps of praises from around the globe thanks to his excellent show for Mexico at the World Cup.
Lozano has a goal and an assist to his name at the World Cup and it was his goal that helped Mexico defeat Germany in their opening game.
Lozano started his professional career with Pachuca in Mexico and he scored 43 goals in 149 games for the club of which 30 goals were scored in his last two seasons across 85 games.
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