As the years have passed and technology has improved, the chances of unknown players appearing to be stars at a World Cup have completely diminished. The frequent use of analytics, “digital scouting” (where video footage takes precedence over the need to see players live) and meticulous data globally available means that any Any national team player that stands out from around the age of 15, regardless of where they come from, is usually flagged immediately.
When it comes to the transfer market, therefore, the major leagues are now merely a context in which clubs do their final check to confirm that a player has the necessary qualities to win. join them. Applying the rule to a player at the World Cup – when the pressure is unlike any other in the quest for the most prestigious of them all – is still useful and see how a player behaves like this. What it is like to represent their country in such a situation gives scouts and club representatives more insight into their personalities. For the most part, however, the clubs were fully aware of what they were dealing with.
However, this year’s World Cup offers a few more challenges than usual. Qatar 2022 begins on November 20 (one week after the European domestic season was halted) and ends on December 18 (one week before the Premier League returns on December 26.), the period of time. It will be short for the clubs to capitalize on what they have learned from the players on the pitch. But with international football taking center stage next month and with no domestic league in the way, clubs may well have more space to figure out what they want.
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Facing a World Cup in the middle of a European season has taken a toll on the overall plan of the campaign – particularly in terms of how the players’ fitness levels are assessed and determined. It’s almost like having a second preseason thrown at you – although the same can be said of the breakdown at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most clubs will see the upcoming hiatus as an opportunity to make purchases and adjust or continue working on their priorities before the January window.
Meetings with agents about players not participating in the World Cup are likely to take place a few weeks earlier than usual. With the usual busy November and pre-Christmas fixture schedules, clubs will be left to base their verdict on previously gathered evidence, paving the way for negotiations. specific upcoming. As a result, you may see a few more deals agreed in principle by January 1st.
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When it comes to the financial side, due to the current economic downturn and the global pandemic in recent years, top European clubs have had to become more flexible and adopt a higher level of due diligence. when issuing new contracts. However, any potential acquisition thanks to impressive World Cup performances is likely to come at a steep price, as a player’s transfer fee will increase with every goal, assist , tackle or save (unless their contract expires in 2023.)
January is traditionally not a time to spend a lot of money, but clubs are most likely to be pushed into signing conditions because of injury, fatigue or simply taking advantage of an opportunity that would otherwise may not have appeared.
For the players, the timing of the tournament offers an element of novelty that doesn’t normally apply to the normal, annual scouting cycle, so those title hunters have a unique opportunity to place themselves centrally located to be noticed by club owners, presidents and bankers who will be glued to the action in Qatar.
It’s happened before, but history offers a warning that things don’t always work out the best way when you’re transferring based on World Cup performance. Here are a few examples of breakout stars from the past, along with a few that clubs will likely be keeping a close eye on in this tournament.
Wonders of the World Cup in the past
James RodriguezSHINING, AS Monaco arrive Real Madrid75 million euros, 2014
Despite being a rising star thanks to promising campaigns with FC Porto and AS Monaco, Colombia The international midfielder has cemented his place on the map with some incredible debuts at the 2014 World Cup. Rodriguez not only won the Golden Boot with six goals – a rare feat for a midfielder. attack, let alone a team that didn’t make it to the semi-finals – but also his spectacular volley against Uruguay also helped him win the Puskas award for goal of the year. No stranger to signing some of the most famous young players in the world, Real Madrid were quick to pick up and have in fact signed a €75 million deal before the tournament ended. While Rodriguez can hardly be considered a complete loser at the Bernabeu – he scored 13 goals in his first season and won two La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues – his six-year stay he is a shadow of what could have been. After a loan to Bayern MunichAn unremarkable spell at Everton and a brief spell at Al-Rayyan on the Qatar side, the 31-year-old is currently trading in Greece with Olympiakos.
El Hadji Diouf, FW, Lens arrive Liverpool15 million euros, 2002
Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier wasted no time in recruiting Senegal forward after the terrible defeat of the first Africans France 1-0 in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup. With his signature dyed hair, Diouf never put the French defense to rest with his strong running and skills, and at just 21 years old, has Looks like he’s got everything he needs to be the next big thing. Although he didn’t score during the tournament, he scored three and seemed more comfortable seeing the world about him as Senegal fell. Turkey into the quarterfinals. However, Liverpool and Diouf never proved to be the perfect pairing and the controversial striker left Anfield for Bolton (originally on loan, then a third of the €15m Liverpool paid). for Lens) after three seasons. He went on to form a respectable Premier League career with 28 goals in 243 games at clubs like Sunderland, Leeds and Blackburn before retiring at Malaysia’s Sabah FC in 2015.
Gilberto Silva, DM, Atletico-MG to Arsenal9 million euros, 2002
Virtually unknown outside of South America at the time, the fighting number 6 midfielder was instrumental in BrazilThe campaign was a success in 2002 – he didn’t miss a minute of the game – and was captured by Arsenal before the celebrations were over. Known as the Invisible Wall for his tackles and stamina, Silva quickly became indispensable at his new club as he proved to his country, provided balance and grit for one of the premier teams of the Premier League era. After six seasons under Arsene Wenger – with over 250 appearances, a Premier League title and two FA Cups to his name – Silva left for Panathinaikos in the summer of 2008.
Enner ValenciaFW, Pachuca to West Ham, 15 million euros, 2014
A relatively unknown at the time, Valencia scored three goals in his first two games for Ecuador at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and captured the world’s attention. If his goals weren’t enough, Valencia also impressed with his incredible pace, direct runs, fancy turns and some unpredictable tackles. Although he had only signed for Liga MX’s Pachuca a year earlier from Ecuador’s Emelec, West Ham quickly paid 15 million euros to bring Valencia to Upton Park that summer. Although his stay in the Premier League never delivered what his World Cup performances might have promised, he has scored 10 goals in 68 games for West Ham and three. in 23 goals at Everton in a season. Departing for Liga MX’s Tigres in 2017, he scored 34 goals in 118 games over three years before moving to Turkey, where he is currently the league’s top scorer at Fenerbahce this season with 12 goals after 11 games. Valencia is also a solid starter for his country in this version.
World Cup 2022 wonder of the future?
Cody Gakpo23, FW, PSV /Netherlands
With dozens of Europe’s elite clubs already watching him, including Manchester United, the next few weeks could prove crucial for the PSV winger’s future. Gakpo has proven himself in the Dutch Eredivisie – he has 36 goals and 39 assists in 105 games – and he looks ready for a step up. Amazingly talented on the ball, with his end products and defensive contributions, the Dutch striker possesses the fundamentals to be a difference-maker at the highest level. While his scoring ability may have been exhausted in recent weeks, vital assists and passes continue to flood in. If he shines in Qatar, a transfer fee of 60 million euros looks cheap.
Ikoma “Lois” Openda22, FW, Lens /Belgium
With just four caps for the captain, Openda could be a wild card for Belgium. While there is fierce competition for a spot up front, the Lens forward really gives the edge. His hat trick from the bench against Toulouse two weeks ago in Ligue 1 was not only an indication of his good form but also showed that he could be used as a “super-sub”, and he also scored within seven minutes of the game. debut his senior national team first Poland in June. Openda likes to play at full-back, always threatening the offside line, and he is excellent at finding space in the box. The 22-year-old player failed to make an impact after passing in Club Bruggebut his growth over the past year at Vitesse and Lens are remarkable and he has seven goals in 14 games this season.
Moises Caicedo21, DM, Brighton / Ecuador
Usually it’s the subtle attacking players that attract the most attention in the major leagues, but can the Ecuadorian midfielder prove this year’s Gilberto Silva? As the need for difference-makers in the final third seems endless, the thirst for an effective and powerful presence in central midfield cannot be underestimated either. short. A £4.5m signing with Brighton in January 2021, Caicedo was sent to Beerschot on loan but returned in January 2022 and has skillfully integrated himself into the rhythm of Premier League life. His week-by-week improvement has not gone unnoticed by the powers of European football. In addition to his tactical discipline, the Ecuadorian diligently blocks, closes, intercepts and moves the ball without much difficulty (though he can also choose a deep run.) A variety of runs. Good matches in an Ecuadorian youth team could also attract interest. from outside the Premier League, but Brighton have been reported to want £85m for his services.
