These 11 men are two steps away from permanently adding ‘World Cup winner’ to their CVs.
Four teams are left contesting the 2018 World Cup.
Four squads of 23 players – 96 men so close to the prize they have craved for so long.
For many of the English, Belgian, French and Croatian players, helping their team to claim football’s greatest prize could greatly transform the course of their career. Think, for example, how smug José Mourinho will be if he gets Romelu Lukaku AND Marouane Fellaini back as world champions.
Some of the players that will be contesting the semi-finals are from clubs such as Stoke, Anderlecht, Celtic, Rijeka, Gent and Stuttgart. Drape a World Cup winners’ medal around your neck and a lucrative move and regular Champions League could be within reach.
We had a look at the four remaining squads and what struck us, aside from the class operators such as Modric, Hazard and Kane, was the contingent of underrated players, journeymen and, in a few circumstances, scapegoats and blessed individuals still going strong.
In honour of Stéphane Guivarc’h, who played six goals and scored 0 goals as France’s lone striker in the 1998 World Cup, we have compiled a very special Starting XI.
SIMON MIGNOLET
Lost his starting spot at Liverpool to Loris Karius and is back-up, along with the uncapped Koen Casteels, to Belgium No.1 Thibaut Courtois.
PHIL JONES
Alex Ferguson likened him to Duncan Edwards when he signed him from Blackburn Rovers. Has his moments, but also has his moments.
ADIL RAMI
Has somehow amassed 37 caps for France while Aymeric Laporte sits at home. Almost put Kylian Mbappé out of the tournament with a shoddy training ground tackle.
DEJAN LOVREN
Wins a chunk of headers and is a threat from set-pieces but always has a rickett in him.
DEDRYCK BOYATA
Plugging away up at Celtic but struggled in some of their Champions League outings.
NACER CHADLI
Played a mere handful of games for West Brom in their relegation campaign last season. Scored a last-minute winner against Japan.
JORDAN HENDERSON
Has run the most kilometres per game than any other England player in the tournament.
MAROUANE FELLAINI
Gets more credit, and acclaim, in Belgium than he does from the majority of football fans in England. Heading into his sixth season at Manchester United.
THORGAN HAZARD
On Chelsea’s books for three seasons without ever making a senior appearance. Got a run-out against England in the group stages.
FLORIAN THAUVIN
Flopped at Newcastle but has rediscovered form back with Marseille.
DANNY WELBECK
https://youtu.be/jVBpzPtlI1s
Decent in rare patches when he manages to get a run of games together.
STEPHANE GUIVARC’H XI
