It is an honour to be asked to muse on the potential influence of the best of the best at the World Cup finals in Russia, and what a list it is.
The talent from 41-50 was exceptional and it is no different with those ranked 31-40 based on the panels’ votes. The men below take those positions on the countdown and their talents only highlight the extraordinary gifts of the players still to be named.
40. Mesut Ozil
A man key to German chances in Russia will be Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil. The master of the assist; his role as provider will be key if Germany are to hold the trophy aloft come July.
Bordering on veteran status now, with over a decade of caps for the national team, Ozil’s club form was again impressive this season and a recent pay increase and contract extension reflective of the value he has in Arsenal’s set up. At some point, his passing acumen will come to the fore in Russia and back fours will need to be alert to his precision and vision.
39. Manuel Neuer
A player man I didn’t have in my selections based on his minimal game time for Bayern this season. Yet how dare one question the German goalkeeper, regarded by many as one of the best we have ever seen? The modern shot-stopper has helped evolve the position with his aggressive and proactive approach to the role and as the powerful German squad look to create history with a fifth World Cup crown, Neuer could prove pivotal in their quest.
38. Thibaut Courtois
Standing nearly two metres tall and still young for a goalkeeper, Belgian shot-stopper Courtois brings a wealth of Premier League and international experience to the custodian role. Despite a rather odd and inconsistent League season from Chelsea, Courtois held firm at the back and managed 15 clean sheets.
The team’s fifth-placed finish was more a result of a lack of firepower and punch up front than any errors in his work. The Belgian squad gains only more confidence with this man between the sticks.
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37. Kylian Mbappe (France)
When looking for a potential outbreak from a youthful superstar and a player of the future, it is hard to go past Mbappe. Still only 19 and as raw as an Australian case of sunburn, the Paris Saint-Germain man on loan from Monaco has the potential to blow apart any opposition back four.
It is hard to know how Didier Deschamps will use him yet when a player is scoring a goal every other game in Ligue 1, his talent is unquestionable. A potentially dangerous substitution for tired defences, the idea of marking this man late in a game as the French push forward is a daunting one.
36. Dries Mertens (Belgium)
A proven player after five years at Napoli; Mertens has become a consistent scorer in Serie A. Personally, I didn’t have him in my top fifty feeling that his goal production at international level was not worthy of a position. In retrospect, perhaps he should be there.
While not quite enjoying the rare form of 2016 where he was named the Belgian Footballer of the Year, Mertens has experience at the Cup and an even better Belgian squad this time around to provide him with goal scoring opportunities. As dark horses for the tournament, Belgium will need Mertens firing if they are to challenge the traditional powers.
35. Roberto Firmino (Brazil)
The Liverpool frontman is coming off a solid season with 15 goals in the Premier League. With so much attacking talent in the Brazilian team, Firmino’s utility value could be a major asset with at least three different roles looming on the horizon for him in Russia.
At the peak of his powers and now in his mid-twenties, Firmino is a ‘heart and soul’ type player; incredibly valuable in an emotional sense for whomever he is playing. Brazil will hope that his knack for finding important goals at key moments will continue. He possesses one of the best heads of hair at the Cup.
Roberto Firmino during Liverpool’s trip Down Under last year. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
34. Dele Alli (England)
To be capped 24 times for your country by the age of 22 says a lot about both the raw talent and reputation a player has with national selectors. Despite some inconsistent performances with Tottenham this season, Alli still deserves his position in the English midfield and will play a key role as they push for some long-awaited World Cup success.
While his goal production was a little down on previous Premier League seasons, Alli’s role will be more of provider in Russia with a certain marksman seeking service from both he and Sterling.
(John Walton/PA via AP)
33. James Rodriguez (Colombia)
The 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner is back, although this time as a Bayern Munich man. On a two-year loan from Real Madrid, Rodriguez will once again be the player to whom Colombia turn in search of the telling strike when required.
Such a gifted player off both feet, his biggest challenge as captain will be to develop continuity in the South Americans’ play and ensure their backline remains firm. If they can, his vision and talent could have disastrous effects on opposition defences. After early season injuries, he became crucial to Bayern’s title run.
32. Son Heung-min (South Korea)
Another player coming off top-class Premier League form and Tottenham Hotspur fans have embraced the attacker in much the same way as his homeland. A name well known to Australia, Son became the first Asian player to finish inside the top ten goal scorers in Premier League history this season and his agility and power are his two greatest assets.
He will be the lynchpin for South Korea, no doubt, yet as Australia knows well, there will be plenty of capable teammates on hand to assist the talisman in his attempts to move his nation beyond the group stage.
31. Raheem Sterling (England)
Putting recent events aside, Sterling holds one of the significant keys to England’s chances in Russia. Already capped 38 times at senior level and still only 23, the Jamaican-born winger has had a season befitting his name in the all-conquering Manchester City squad. Eighteen goals in 33 games is a wonderful return and England will need his magic if they intend on making a run deep into the tournament. His potential combination with Harry Kane is a mouth-watering proposition.
Tune in tomorrow as Tim Palmer brings you players 30-21 in the next instalment of our countdown.
Check out who came in earlier in the countdown
» 50-41
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